Re: Wrist replacement or other surgery options. att:

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

I'm not , nor do I have any articles for you, but I can sympathize. I'm

also young - 30 - with serious wrist problems. I was a full time classical

piano instructor, I've played since I was five, and now I can barely play. And

I am also a professional dog trainer!

I am lucky enough to have a team of aggressive doctors who have kept up with the

latest treatments and whatnot. I have had surgeries on both wrists for

tendonitis that helped tremendously. If possible, you might want to consult

with an orthopedic surgeon or plastic surgeon (both my surgeries were done by a

plastic surgeon who specializes in hand microsurgery). At such a young age, if

they treat you aggressively with medication and surgery if needed, you will

hopefully have many good years with your hands.

Good luck to you, and hang in there!

Kate P-B in St. Louis

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[Guest guest]

So sorry to hear this, Sharon. It's time to find a new rheumatologist

and see and orthopedic surgeon, too.

I'll post some articles.

Not an MD

On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 8:34 AM, bon_mac18 <bon_mac18@...> wrote:

> Hi and group,

>         My right wrist has been giving me jip for a year now, no improvement

at all even though i wear a brace & all that. Have very little flex in it now,

about 5 degrees. Not that much swelling, not in flare that's for sure. hard mass

in the middle on top side & also wrist area beneath thumb (underside).

>               I'm a chef & need to continue working until my new career path

can support me (dog behaviourists/trainer).

>

> I'm seeing my Rhuemy again in Feb & he's definately not a " pro-active " type.

His approach seems to be- " bad lucK, take ya pills & die " . Even the young fresh

doc I saw the other day basically said that RA means your life as a productive

member of society is gone. I went to her seeking a referral to someone who can

tell me if surgery is an option, & if not why not(why is that such a hard

question for them??).

>

> I remember reading an article about joint replacement not really being

considered for younger patients (I'm 31) but perhaps it should be as it has good

prognosis. I tried doing an archive search but no luck.

>                            So, would you have any articles about joint

replacements that would be relevant, So i can perhaps present them to my Rheumy.

We seem to be in the dark ages here regarding pro-active care for people with

RA. I can't imagine working for the next 30yrs nursing my wrist. ( & having to

wear a glove over it isn't doing my nails any good).

>

> best wishes to everyone,

> Sharon of Oz