Some people have asked if I think the surgery was worth it. The short answer is yes.
I feel like I have almost full range of motion, (maybe 90-95%?). You can judge for yourself in the pictures below. Given that my Dr. told me I might only regain 70% ROM, I am pleased with the results. In terms of strength, it is a fair amount weaker now than it was before the injury, and gets tired pretty quickly if I try to do any heavy lifting. But it is considerably stronger than it was after the injury, before the surgery (I could not pick up a gallon of milk). Had I been better about continuing my exercises and weights with it in the 4 months and onwards time period, it would probably be stronger. And even if I worked with it now it would probably get stronger still. He did say that the younger you are, and the better you are about your exercises, the better results you will see.
Overall I am pleased with the results so far (not sure if Arthritis might be more likely in the future than if I had never injured it?). Yes it was somewhat expensive, pretty painful for a few weeks after surgery, and an inconvenience for a few months after surgery. But by about 8 months post op I was able to do pretty much anything that I had before the injury, and have not had any real lingering issues. Keep in mind though that if you play an instrument or competitive sports that not having complete ROM or strength might be a bigger deal.
According to my Dr., if I did not have the surgery, then I would have re-injured it within a year, which would probably then have required open surgery instead of arthroscopic, which would leave a bigger scar and lengthen the recovery process. Of course you have to keep in mind that this was coming from a surgeon! The other option was to cast it for 2 months and see if it healed on it's own (which he claimed would more likely cause Arthritis down the road than surgery). And if it didn't heal on it's own, then they still would have had to do surgery, and once again it likely would have been open as opposed to arthroscopic. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who went this route though.
So take a look, and see if you can even tell which wrist it was (hint... see older posts?)!
I am due to have surgery for the same injury and found your posts really interesting. They have made me feel loads better about what is going to happen. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
ReplyDeletedon't do it. I had the same surgery and it has ruined my life
DeleteCuz u had a shit surgeon lol I had scapholunate dissociation, complete rupture , scaphoid fracture as well my wrist feels better than ever
DeleteOh good, I'm glad they were helpful. I looked online a lot before I had mine and there was surprisingly little non-medical/technical info about it. How did your surgery and recovery go?
ReplyDeleteTerrible, I have no rang of motion backwards and have been in extreme pain for over a year. people need to know the truth about this surgery.
DeleteHow is your wrist now? It's been over a year since you wrote comment, has it got any better? Had operation 6 weeks ago and a bit worried!!
Deletehi Rebecca how are you doing right now?
DeleteI am scheduled to have the same type of surgery, I have a complete tear of the ligament. However doc said I will have limited range of motion and likely not be able to ever perform a palm push up due to the range. This has me very worried and rethinking surgery. I have a very important pt test coming up that relies on me being able to perform a palm push up, no exeptions. I am willing to wait it out even if it gets worse if this is the case. Any advice? Thanks
ReplyDelete������ on that bullshit surgery. Those surgeons are full of it!
DeleteThank you for describing your experience. I've just been diagnosed with the same injury.
ReplyDeleteI had the same tear and from scanning through your posts it looks like the same surgery. Just had the pins removed yesterday. The results you've experienced are encouraging. Hoping I can still play some guitar, piano. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've just had the same surgery two weeks ago. Before I decided to go through with it, I scoured the internet for any information related to scapho-lunate ligament tears, as I had been just diagnosed with it and it was a previously unknown condition to me. I found this blog, and let me tell you I am grateful for the help and insight it had given me. I have not found anything else about this condition, so I have started my own blog to chronicle my surgery and recovery, hoping that it will help and benefit others.
ReplyDeleteMy blog can be found at:
http://wp.me/p3fvQn-R
I also had surgery on 12/31/12. My injuries were from a car accident. I had 4 screws in my wrist.They're out now but I still have a short arm cast and haven't had any physical therapy yet. I go on Wednesday I am hoping to be rid if casts and have wristbrace and be able to do physical therapy. I thought i'd be back to work already but that's not the case. not too sure about when ill get to return to work. I'm getting aluttle discouraged about it. but overall I won't have use if my wrist if I didn't have the surgery.
ReplyDeleteGreat input and personal experience! I have had a reconstruction and am in week before therapy. my only concern has been reinjuring the area and if the reconstruction will hold... guess ill find out soon enough
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I'm scheduled for surgery on 1/29/14. I tore the ligament 8 1/2 yrs ago, and was told by my job's doctor if I could live with the pain that would be a better option than surgery. It has never been 100% since but took a severe turn for the worse about 5 months ago. Its at the point now where I cannot lift anything more than a couple of pounds with the wrist and get severe swelling and pain when I use the wrist for even moderate activity. The job doctor even told me at this point surgery is the only option. Wish me luck guys.
ReplyDeleteI had my surgery june 2015 open reconstructive surgery for complete rupture of scapholunate ligament. It was misdiagnosed. The pain has been unbearable at times and I feel disabled with it. My range of movement is improving slowly but my grip is at times none existent. I have to work my hand for it to grip.The worst is the inabilty to weight bear putting excessive stress on my elbow as I use this to lift myself up which is now becoming painful. A total disabling operation.
DeleteHave you regained range of motion or grip strength? My hand was in cast for almost 4 months through 3 different surgeries. Scapholunate ligament reconstruction by taking tendon in my arm to replace ligament. Pins were internal and removed two weeks ago. Splint was taken off today. Grip strength was 0 in that hand and I can't move my wrist at all in any direction.
DeleteHave you regained range of motion or grip strength? My hand was in cast for almost 4 months through 3 different surgeries. Scapholunate ligament reconstruction by taking tendon in my arm to replace ligament. Pins were internal and removed two weeks ago. Splint was taken off today. Grip strength was 0 in that hand and I can't move my wrist at all in any direction.
Deletehi julie how are doing right now?
DeleteI have about 30 lbs. Grip strength at therapy but that is giving it all I have. My range of motion is not much. I can bend my wrist down about 35 degrees but can only get about 20 degrees pulling it back. They stretch it at therapy and I can move it, but by the time I come home, it is very tight and I can't get it to move that much. It feels like a giant rubber band is inside my hand and won't let me pull it back. It has actually been swollen the past two times I've come home from therapy. It is very tight and swollen slightly right now. I worry that I'm not going to get it back. At least that is how it feels. I'm curious how others are doing because I can't find much information on this.
Deletethanks julie for your reply...im having surgery next month and im really worried with the outcome...can you pls email me for more information...marlonyoingco@gmail.com really need your advice...thank you very much...
ReplyDeleteany news?
ReplyDeletehttp://whatrebeccasread.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2017-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2018-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=1&m=1
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my experience - video
Hope everyone is on the road to recovery.
I had this operation June 8th. I am still in therapy. My ROM is bad! Tight across the wrist. Still have some residual pain and swelling. And my grip strength is weak at best. That being said, I am grateful I had the surgery. The pain from the tear was worse than what is happening now. I really appreciated this blog. It helped so much.
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