• NELA
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  • From: West Monroe, La. 71292
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
  • Posts: 1,303

Topic: It's been 30 days

30 days after my hand surgery and I'm still not able to play - or do much of anything with my hands. I cannot completly close either hand, I still have pain in my fingers, my hands and fingers feel as though they are swollen. At my last doctors visit I was told that "it's just going to take time" and to go to a physicial therapist. After several visits to the therapist, where I underwent hot wax treatments, stretching and massaging of my hands, I was told that it could take 3 to 6 months before everything gets back to normal. The surgery consisted of the removal of scar tissue from previous surgeries on the middle and ring fingers of each hand plus the scraping of the tendons on the index, middle, ring and pinkie fingers of each hand. This was done to remove all rough spots and bulges from the tendons in my hands/fingers so the would "glide" smoothly" in their connecting "shealths". I was told that my hand have healed on the outside but are still healing on the inside. I have stretching exercises and hot/cold treatments I need to do each day in order to try any new scar tissue from forming. I have told the doctor and the therapist that I am not happy with my progress but they both have assured me that this is just going to take time. Hopefully I'll wake one day without pain no swelling in my hands and get back to doing nornal things. I am not really in a good place right now. Too many problems.

NELA

NELA's Website

  • From: Scott County, Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2008-03-19
  • Posts: 794

Re: It's been 30 days

Patience Nela. Try not to get discouraged. I know from personal experience that the healing process takes time.

Live in the "now" - a contentment of the moment - the past is gone - the future doesn't exist - all we ever really have is now and it's always "now".
  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: It's been 30 days

Aww I'm sorry.   That has to be hard.

  • dino48
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: It's been 30 days

Nela the hand will take a long time they have more moving parts,best too do as the doctor tells you.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
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  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 1,367

Re: It's been 30 days

dino48 wrote:

Nela the hand will take a long time they have more moving parts,best too do as the doctor tells you.

I agree. It makes lots of sense frustrating as it might be. Your hands are only as good as their weakest part. If you have a broken finger, your grip is not what it should be. In your case, the tendons/surgery affect your whole hand. Therapy is the only way you'll make any progress. It must be very hard to just all of the sudden stop using your hands. I can't even imagine what that's like. We're rooting for you Nela.


A customer of mine had  to have surgery to repair a torn hamstring. Her leg will be immobile for 6 weeks. It starts off in a cast bent at 90 degrees or more. Two weeks later it gets re-casted in a less of a bend. Then two more weeks, a re-casted again in less of a bend. After 6 weeks she can start therapy. A hamstring is not something you want to mess with.

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: It's been 30 days

Not meaning anything negative to Physical Therapists, whom I hold in high regard, ask whether it makes sense that instead you see an Occupational Therapist. 

Good luck.  I wish for nothing but the best for you.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
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  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: It's been 30 days

Sorry to hear things are not moving as fast as you had hoped.  I'm sure all of us in your situation would be discouraged too NELA.  Hang in there, follow their directions, and try to keep positive thoughts.  If you think it's possible then it still IS!

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

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  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,707

Re: It's been 30 days

hi nela, sorry for your predicament, but surly after surgery if you take things too quickly it'll just set the healing process back, maybe causing more scar tissue? i know in your place i'd be pushing myself , like you, to get back to strumming and doing other things that you've always done.

all i can say is; listen to the experts, if they say it'll get better, then rest assured sooner or later (preferably sooner) it will.

if you can't wait, you could always try slide guitar?

phill

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: It's been 30 days

I too can sympathize with your frustration, but you do have to be patient and give you hand time to heal properly. I know, easier said than done, but hang in there buddy.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: It's been 30 days

As you can tell, we are all rooting for you NELA.  Best of luck.  You'll make it back buddy

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.