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Surgery recovery
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03/28/2021 23:32
eaglerockdude 
03/28/2021 23:32
eaglerockdude 

Surgery recovery

My first day here. I guess I came here because I was a bit frustrated. I had surgery March 3 2021 for dupuytrens on my left hand little finger. Finger was at 45 degrees.

Doctor went over all possible treatments, but said surgery was the best for a full cure as compared to the needle injections etc. So I took her advice.

I just got my stitches off 3 days ago, and I guess I was feeling frustrated because I thought my finger was stiff and swollen because of the stitches. I had been doing finger PT the doctor showed me ever since the surgery.

Now that the stitches are off, I don't see much difference. My finger is still stiff, and it actually hurts/aches more. I guess I thought after the stitches came off, I would really start making progress.

I start actual PT next week, but I don't look forward to it. That is because I know it will hurt, as it did when the doctor cranked my finger many times on post surgery visits.

I read Nancy's story when I first got here, 5 months and still no progress. I guess I don't feel so bad now.

Just wanted to see what everyone else's experience was with recovery.

I did not see that many posts about recovery after surgery. I will keep looking.

03/29/2021 05:22
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

03/29/2021 05:22
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

Re: Surgery recovery

Hi eaglerockdude

Recovery after surgery varies and depends on a number of things. One of the most important is taking care of the scar, and ensuring it heals well without stiffening. You could ask a nurse about that, but people on here report favourably using silicone scar sheets or gel, along with various types of creams or oils. There are also some recovery suggestions and exercises on the BDS site here https://dupuytrens-society.org.uk/treatm...-fasciectomy-2/ but it is probably best to follow your PT's advice. You should also have the discussion about splinting with the surgeon or hand therapist.

There's a few posts and threads about recovery, perhaps a read through this one will be useful https://www.dupuytren-online.info/Forum_...2103&page=1

Best wishes SB

06/30/2021 12:21
eaglerockdude 
06/30/2021 12:21
eaglerockdude 

Re: Surgery recovery

Update...so here is is July 1...4 months after surgery. My hand is still sore, and in general all fingers are a bit stiff. I cannot make a tight fist and its painful.

I massage my hand every day and do the therapy exercises, although not every hour as the doctor said..that is too much...i quit going to physical therapy as I felt i could just do the exercises at home.

but i may go back since they are already covered by insurance. I just felt like once or twice a week was not doing anything, and there was a 20 dollar copay.

i don't see many posts here about post surgery recovery issues. I guess we all know...a post will not solve your problem. only luck and ideally time will.

is sucks. sometimes I kinda wish i never had the surgery.

maybe that is the use of this forum. if you are considering surgery, just know that there are no absolutes about your hand being much better than before...its a risk.

Edited 06/30/21 15:22

06/30/2021 14:43
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

06/30/2021 14:43
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

Re: Surgery recovery

eaglerockdude:
Update...so here is is July 1...4 months after surgery. My hand is still sore, and in general all fingers are a bit stiff. I cannot make a tight fist and its painful.

I massage my hand every day and do the therapy exercises, although not every hour as the doctor said..that is too much...i quit going to physical therapy as I felt i could just do the exercises at home.

but i may go back since they are already covered by insurance. I just felt like once or twice a week was not doing anything, and there was a 20 dollar copay.

i don't see many posts here about post surgery recovery issues. I guess we all know...a post will not solve your problem. only luck and ideally time will.

is sucks. sometimes I kinda wish i never had the surgery.

maybe that is the use of this forum. if you are considering surgery, just know that there are no absolutes about your hand being much better than before...its a risk.
Sorry to hear about your slow progress. If only we knew why some take longer than others. It probably depends on age, severity prior to surgery, the degree of surgery, other health factors and so on. Keep going though with exercises, gentle massage, often we hear it can take 6-12 months for some. I would ask your surgeon if there's anything physical delaying progress, such as scar tissue, swelling, that can be helped along. Best wishes SB

07/02/2021 11:07
Londongayle 
07/02/2021 11:07
Londongayle 
Re: Surgery recovery

I have read your post with a sigh of relief as I was also beginning to regret surgery.... I had surgery mid-May initially for carpal tunnel and trigger finger and then they decided to fix my Dupuytrens at the same time. In my head I thought I would be back to normal (pre-problems) in a couple of weeks.
I was surprised at how painful my hand and fingers were. And then I started to get nerve pain around the wounds. I have used silicon protection which seems to help but the pain wakes me at night.
Every morning I feel I have to start again with trying to make a fist, breaking the pain barrier, exercising my fingers. During the day it gets easier but I'm constantly aware of the discomfort.
I don't want to use pain killers all the time and ice my hand when it is really hurting.
And now I have a horrid feeling that a new nodule has appeared...
I guess I just have to be more patient

07/03/2021 10:11
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

07/03/2021 10:11
spanishbuddha 

Administrator

Re: Surgery recovery

Londongayle:
I have read your post with a sigh of relief as I was also beginning to regret surgery.... I had surgery mid-May initially for carpal tunnel and trigger finger and then they decided to fix my Dupuytrens at the same time. In my head I thought I would be back to normal (pre-problems) in a couple of weeks.
I was surprised at how painful my hand and fingers were. And then I started to get nerve pain around the wounds. I have used silicon protection which seems to help but the pain wakes me at night.
Every morning I feel I have to start again with trying to make a fist, breaking the pain barrier, exercising my fingers. During the day it gets easier but I'm constantly aware of the discomfort.
I don't want to use pain killers all the time and ice my hand when it is really hurting.
And now I have a horrid feeling that a new nodule has appeared...
I guess I just have to be more patient
If you haven't seen it this information on the BDS site may be helpful https://dupuytrens-society.org.uk/treatm...-fasciectomy-2/, but you should follow the advice of your surgeon and physio.

07/03/2021 11:31
Londongayle 
07/03/2021 11:31
Londongayle 
Re: Surgery recovery

Thank you - I've looked at the Aftercare Exercises and there seem to be a few additional ones for me to try.

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