surgery- wrist- your experiences

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I haven't posted in eons, been busy & doing quite well.

I'm in Oz & recently secured a referral to an orthopedic surgeon for my right

wrist/thumb. I had to almost beg my Rhuemy for an appointment as he didn't

believe that I knew the difference between active RA pain & joint damage pain,

even though I've had RA now for nearly 6 years. This same Rhuemy has never

ordered an X-ray of any joint, only a chest x-ray before he put me on

Sulfasalazine & pred.

My last X-ray's were in 2005 & ordered by a specialist who referred me to my

Rheumy.

and were my right & left hand & damage then was possiblity consistent with age &

use (no x-rays for comparison)

The waiting list for an orthopedic appointment is huge so it will probably be a

couple of years yet ( I don't have private health so I'm going public, which is

free here).

I'm starting a dog training business & my wrist is a liability as the pain is

incapacitating even if I only lightly snag my thumb (for example) in my pants

pocket as it brushes past. Generally it(wrist) doesn't bother me unless I knock

it or use it too much for heavy duty stuff like pumpkins (I'm a Chef) or having

a bit of a flare.

Be interested to hear from anyone who has had surgery on any joint really, but

particually hands & wrists.

Also, how do doctors test for synovitis?

god bless,

Sharon of Oz