The Procedure on my thumb/extensive info on thumbs

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi all

I went to the fracture clinic today to see the dr who did the examination under general anaesthetic on my right thumb (as explained in my topic post 'Verdict on thumb examination) He explained the operation he is going to do on my thumb as it dislocates inwards instead of outwards. He is going to make a 4/5 inch cut from part of my thumb to down past my wrist,and then he will cut out some tendon from my wrist and plant it round the back of my thumb to hold it in place.

(i'm really sorry if any of this next part of my post makes your stomach turn)
The dr (///redacted///) explained that with the operation it is possible that he could cut a vein or nerve as round the thumb is full of vessels etc etc. I'm really worried about the whole operation but whats really scarying me is i keep getting these images running through my head of my wrist and hand split open with all the veins and all that hanging out.I'm also worried about all the stitches i'm going to have as i have never had stitches before?

Can anyone give me some advice,Any at all would be appreciated

Hannah xx

[Retro]

Don't worry about it! I had my first operation ever in February this year and I was worried like you, had never had proper stitches either. Post op you will probably be well padded and strapped up, might even have a cast. You won't see anything gory and the images in your head are greatly exaggerated. Nothing "falls out", it's all well held in place. The veins and nerves he's talking about are microscopic. You might have some post op pain which will be treated with appropriate meds. I'm sure you will be back to normal before you know it.

Good luck.

[Hannah_Banana]

Hiya Retro

Thanks for the post,I think i was really worried because it was the first day i got told i was having an operation.I think i might have been like that when i was waiting for both my knee operations.I know the first ever operation I had ,back in december 04,I broke down in etasr outside the hospital because it is a very nerve racking thing. Hopefully i will get a letter in the next couple of days with the date of the operation.I'll post a message to my original topic with the date.

Hannah x

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi all - its me HMS Girl under my new name.

This morning I got a letter from the hospital telling me the date of my operation which is going to be on 21st December, just before Christmas , still at least it is after my birthday. They have brought it forward a bit as I have been having real problems with my thumb and wrist over the last few weeks. I had a new cast yesterday but it hasnt helped. The pain goes from my thumb joint up to my elbow but it is not the pain I get when its dislocated. I cant see my doctor until 21st November so I am a bit stuck. My cast is a lightweight one so I dont think it can be the weight. If anybody has any ideas why it might be hurting so much when it is immobilised by the cast I would be grateful.

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Hannah, could it be the position they have put your thumb in a position that it not right for you. Did they pull you about at all when they put the cast on yesterday. I would get your mum to ring and ask if it should be hurting like this. Have you taken pain relief - if you have and it still hurts ring to make sure the cast has been fitted correctly. Poor you lets hope the surgery helps - at least its scheduled for after your birthday if not Christmas. Take care and let us know won't you. nonya

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Hannah, how are things with the new cast? nonya

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi Nonya

My new cast is ok but the last few nights i havent been able to have my nightly chats on msn and on here as i have been in alot of pain with my thumb and hand.The skin is slowly starting to turn a horrid colour on my fingers that are not even under my cast.Im going to see my surgeon on 21st November as he asked to see me as he knows how bad my hand and thumb are getting. Until then im going to have to stay dosed up on painkillers and have tablets at night to help me sleep as its a pain to sleep with.

[Guest]

Hannah,

I know you say you are in pain and hopfully you will be better once your are treated but what colour are your fingers going?

You can still feel with them? They aren't cold all the time are they?

If they are quite swollen you should try and keep your arm elevated which may help to bring the swelling down.

If you cannot feel with your fingers and they are cold don't delay, go back and get your cast checked - it may be too tight at your wrist.

If everything in that department is fine then hold on and good luck,

J xx

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi All

Fifer Jane-my fingers are going a brown colour at thhe base of them.Each morning i wake up and it feels like my cast is going to split open as my hand swells but it eventually goes down. My fingers are sometimes cold but mum thinks its because my nan suffers with reynolds syndrome and thinks i have it too as my feet and legs go cold too.

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi all

Going to surgeon on monday to find out whats going on under my cast and get some more information and advice on my surgery.Will post on here whats going on.

Take care all

[nonyanomemory]

Hi hannah,

If you can't post to let us know how you get on at the appointment- ask your mum if she can. In the meantime please don't hesitate to get medical advice if you have too many finger colour changes - better to be safe than sorry. I will be thinking of you and your mum. nonya

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi All

I went to the hospital this morning and....

I told him that my wrist had started to dislocate in my cast and he said that hearing that he wont be able to go ahead with my surgery but he said to go and have my cast cut off so he can take a closer look at my wrist. So went and sat out in the waiting room for close to 30mins (by then i was very moody cos i was looking forward to my op so i can get back to normal,well kind of) and then got called in to get my cast off then went back in to see [color=green]///redacted///.He looked and said my wrist is absoloutely fine and will go ahead with the surgery...so going back to plaster in 2 weeks time to have my cast cut off and then put in a splint so the skin can heal more as when they took it off today...my skin was just no existant.So going to have 2 weeks in a splint to heal the skin and mum says not to move or go out as we'll be up A&E night after night with a dislocated thumb.

*in such a good mood knowing im definetly having the op *

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx[/color]

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Hannah. Sorry to ask if you have said already but when your thumb dislocates does it hurt a lot?

I hope that the skin gets better really soon. Were you given any advice about the skin at all. Do you have to keep the splint on all the time until the operation after the cast is removed.

Is your consultant talking to you about recovery time and physiotherapy after the operation at all?

Sorry for all the questions.

Could you go to the cinema with some friends if you took care. You must be getting fed up of being in. Let us know how you are doing Hannah.

I am so pleased that you are being so positive about the op it- I hope you are feeling proud of yourself as well.

nonya

[LianneS]

Poor you Hannah, youre going through quite a bit here arent you?....

Hopefully the op will help sort you out a bit.....

What exactly did the surgeon say about your skin though? Not being funny but that sounds nasty and was just wondering why its actually changed colour and become almost non existent.....doesnt sound too good..

Anyway hope it all gets better....

Lianne

[Hannah_Banana]

Hi All

Nonya-When my thumb dislocates it does hurt alot,like someone is hacking my thumb off with a hammer [color=green]///Surgeon// said just to wash the skin after the cast is off so there is not a high risk of infection afterwards.I have to have a special "thumb holder" made so i got that in 2 weeks and then have to wear that untill my operation but after that i have a half cast overed in wads of bandages for 2 weeks and then a light weight cast for 6 weeks after that.I cant remember if he said about recovery time but he definetly hasnt mentioned about physio.He's said that the operation will take 1 hr and 30 mins and i might have to stay in hospital over night but they might give me a physio appointment when my arm isnt so sore.

>>Could you go to the cinema with some friends if you took care. You must be getting fed up of being in. Let us know how you are doing Hannah.
My friends have abandoned me since im home educated.In my half cast after my operation i dont think i'll be able to get out much as if its snowing i dont want to fall over and feel that kind of pain (lol)

>>I am so pleased that you are being so positive about the op it- I hope you are feeling proud of yourself as well.

I feel so happy and looking forward to my operation as then i wont be stuck in a cast for the rest of my life.Even though after the operation i will be in alot of pain but it'll be worth it.The trouble is i have my cast off o about 5th decemeber and i got my 15th birthday on the 8th so im praying my thumb wont dislocate in the splint (dont fancy having to spend my birthday up A&E lol)

Lianne-
>>What exactly did the surgeon say about your skin though? Not being funny but that sounds nasty
When he was examining my hand without the cast on he didnt say anything about the skin but when i looked at the skin,on my wrist it looks just like 'browny yellow snowflakes' but as he was moving my wrist around it was all falling off and was left with a stinging pain.

>> and was just wondering why its actually changed colour and become almost non existent.....doesnt sound too good..
I've been in 12 casts now over the past 5/6 months and it might be due to the skin not being able to breathe,The skin of my palm looks normal but the skin on the base of my thumb is just lumps of brown skin and my wrist is brown flakes....Kind of confused about it all as the skin looked terrible but ///surgeon// didnt say anything

Hannah xxxxx[/color]