Wrist Fusion

Tammy M wrote:

I was trying to find something on having hardware removed from the wrist when I saw your post asking about wrist fusions. I had a partial wrist fusion done in 2015. I fell and landing on the same wrist in 2016 and injured it again. After seeing an Orthopedic I was informed that the partial fusion didn't take. I ended up having a full wrist fusion done in October of 2016. My fusion is healed, however  I can't lift anything that is heavy as it hurts  me too much. I have some pain when I move my fingers as I think that my tendons are rubbing the plate that is in my wrist. My thumb is still very stiff and I am unable to do normal movements with it. I am getting ready to have surgery again to have my plate and screws removed and the scar tissue removed from around my tendons in hopes that my tendons will glide better so that my fingers and thumb will move better. The more I try to do the more it bothers me such as all this typing. Most of what I type comes out misspelled since my wrist does not bend and my fingers don't have the mobility they use so I am really hoping that this next surgery works and things get better. If you read this and have questions please ask.

Tammy, I’m guessing it has gotten much better since then. I had a total fusion 2 years ago and it was doing pretty darn well comparatively. Unfortunately, I cracked it again last night. I’m trying to explore what folks have done in this situation. I almost wish I had a stainless steel claw. 

And on what some others had mentioned... post total fusion I was able to handle compression much better than pulling. Ex. I could mountain bike but not pull back my bow. 

I know it's been a while but I just found this post. What did you crack on your fusion, hardware? I'm currently weighing my options on a wrist fusion. Thanks ahead of time. Hopefully you see this.  

Did you end up having your hardware removed and if so, how's that been going?

HI All,  very impressive stories, so many different causes and treatments it is difficult to clearly follow.

May i ask the people that had a full fusion, how did it affect your climbing? did you drop multiple grades? are you still able to do pull ups?, can you climb all day? etc?

My wrist is dying and heading into a full fusion, would love to know what i can expect in the long run. Answers much appreciated!

Cheers
Fer