I think I need wrist surgery - what should I do?

[JustOne]

I keep getting an intense shooting pain in my left wrist and I think it might be damaged ligaments (if there are actually any in the wrist!) It has happened quite a few times in the past year and 3 times in the past 2 weeks.

The pain can be triggered by things like applying/releasing the handbrake in the car, or even pathetic things like picking up a cup of tea in the wrong way... today I had a major jabbing pain as I was putting on my golf glove! I then proceeded to snap hook it off the tee as I felt it twinge on the way down

After the pain I can kind of 'shake it off' but it aches and makes it hard for me to commit to a shot, once it happened mid swing so badly I dropped the club.

Full recovery time after it happens seems to be 24-48 hours.. until the next time it happens

What to do? Do I simply walk into casualty? Go see my doctor or is there a specialist I should be aware of?

Thanks in adv for your thoughts...

 

[CrapHacker]

See the quack. If it hasn't cured itself by now, it won't without help/treatment/drugs.

Some of which might be fun

 

[ball_basher]

hmmm, strange one that is , best goin t your gp it might only be a course of anti inflamatorys

 

[Doh]

It could be carpal tunnal symtoms dont play on with it get it seen to.

Where abouts in your wrist is it?

 

[Macster]

You'll have to start with your GP, who'l probably just give you some anti-inflammatory's to take, and tell you to rest it for a few weeks.

Prob best to do that, but if its anything more underlying, maybe ask for an Xray or something, but whatever you do, dont go down to A&E to get it done quickly, - my wife works there and cases like this which clearly arent an 'emergency' just clog up the whole system.

Rest & anti-inflammatory's are probably all thats needed - hope it sorts it.

 

[USER1999]

Go see a physio. Costs about £30, but he will have a good idea what's wrong pretty quickly, and it doesn't clog up the health service when everyone thinks they have pig flu.

 

[Whereditgo]

Your GP is just that, a General Practicioner, great for illness but in my experience pants for injuries.

To me it doesn't sound like an 'injury' per-se, as in you haven't caused the problem recently. But you don't want it to become a chronic problem.

I would tend to go with Chris as the first option, rest and anti-inflammatory pills and/or cream. If that doesn't cure the problem see your GP to ask for a referral to a specialist.

Hope it sorts itself out with a bit of rest as surgery really should only be used as a last resort.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a similar problem in my right wrist. Its slightly swollen on the inside as you look with your palm upwards. It doesn't hurt on every shot but does when hitting out of sand and rough. Its not tender to touch and has only come on in the last two weeks. Getting no better or worse but is just there and hurts from time to time.

I'm guessing its from practicing when we had all that dry weather (remember that????) and the ground ecame very hard so I'm assuming its a repetitive injury.

I'm playing today and then I'll get some neurofen on the way home and maybe put some ice on it (I know its after the horse has bolted) and see if it improves. Can't rest as building up to the club champs on the 1st and 2nd!!!

 

[Robobum]

Sounds like tendonitis. I've got it in my left wrist, anti inflam tablets are the way forward. Rest would be ideal (but who wants to stop playing??) some ice and a elasticated support immobilizes it to help it rest.

Using a PC all day doesn't help mine rest as the angle my wrist is in to type means that it starts to ache after a while.

 

[stevek1969]

Give away your collection of mens magazines

 

[JustOne]

It could be carpal tunnal symtoms dont play on with it get it seen to.

Just reading this makes me feel faint


"Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many patients require surgery on both hands. The following are types of carpal tunnel release surgery:

Open release surgery, the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical considerations.

Endoscopic surgery may allow faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open release surgery. The surgeon makes two incisions (about ½" each) in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen, and cuts the carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together). This two-portal endoscopic surgery, generally performed under local anesthesia, is effective and minimizes scarring and scar tenderness, if any. One-portal endoscopic surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is also available.

Although symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery can take months. Some patients may have infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar. Occasionally the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut. Patients should undergo physical therapy after surgery to restore wrist strength. Some patients may need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery.

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. The majority of patients recover completely."

Maybe I'll just take up tiddlywinks instead

Where abouts in your wrist is it?

Actually I feel it more on the side of my wrist where my little finger resides. I haven't had any problems with thumb or finger numbness.

 

[stevek1969]

My wife had it done on both wrists she was in pain for a couple of weeks but has helped her a lot.