[Sad099]

Hello all

I've just come back from the hospital after being x-rayed.

I went there as yesterday I tripped over on some steps in Windsor and landed awkwardly on my hand but thought nothing of it at the time - I was more concerned with who had seen me fall and make a tit of myself.

Anyway thumb hurt a little - I thought its bruised and left it - overnight it started to swell.
In the morning I couldn't move it - it hurt like hell and I couldn't hold / grip anything. I couldn't even do my shoe lace up or do up my shirt buttons.

I'm amazed I managed to drive to work

Went to A&E and got x-rayed as pain was getting worse - 2 hours later I was told news - you haven't broken your thumb but seems have damaged tendons .
Medical term was - "injury to ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint"

I'm seeing a fracture specialist on Tuesday for assesment for surgery

Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of surgery and healing times etc as i'm a little concerned

considering i'm typing one handed my spellings not too bad

[Miyazaki]

They usually just remove the thumb mate. Saves time.

[sdb123]

Depending on the condition of the tendons will determine what kind of treatment you will need. You may have an operation, you will almost certainly be in for a bout of physiotherapy to aid rehabilitaion.

I had a nasty accident a couple of years back resulting in severed tendons connecting the thumb (affecting the index finger too). This is what my treatment/recovery was:

• Four hour operation to repair tendons (in and out of hospital in a day)
• Had to wear four successive lower arm and hand splints
• Unable to drive until ten weeks after the operation (upon successful physiotherapy)
• Attended regular physiotherapy sessions for twelve weeks

What I didn't appreciate was the fact that although the tendons had been damaged, the injury affected the use of the whole arm.

Best of luck with your prognosis.

[Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Sad099

I couldn't hold / grip anything. I couldn't even do my shoe lace up or do up my shirt buttons.

....or type "ulnar collateral ligament" into Google.

[Baron Von Doom]

just got out of hospital myself with damaged tendons. cut right through 2 in one finger (and artery + nerve) and one in another finger.
two days in hospital (one night)
nearly four hour operation, done while awake.
told no car for eight weeks hgv or bike ten weeks
regular physiotherapy sessions
no work for twelve weeks (eight for light work)
splint on hand (dont know how long for)
given pain killers and antibiotics
might be different depending on how much damage youve done

[Sad099]

Hi

Thanks for the replies - interesting reading.
What I wanted to know was :
Is the operation painful and I assume its under local not general ?
Is it painful afterwards?
Is Physio painful and does it regain full mobility of thumb?
Am i supposed to be off work ? and for how long ?


Its odd that something so minor (in my case a fall) could cause so much damage.

Its also shows how much you take mobility for granted- as this small thing is causing major problems forcing me to re-adjust my lifestyle.

I can't drive so cannot take my son to school so have to arrange a morning club for him (wife will drop him off at 7.30am in the morning) it becomes a long day for him though as he isn't collected till 6.00pm - long day for him and he's only 6

I cannot pick my daughter up or bathe her - shes only 2

small things like opening post or bottles have become like a military operation to achieve

I guess this has made me appreciate things a little more

[sdb123]

Originally Posted by Sad099

Hi

Thanks for the replies - interesting reading.
What I wanted to know was :
Is the operation painful and I assume its under local not general ?
I was under general, it was not painful initially.
Is it painful afterwards?
At times yes, particularly if you overdo it.
Is Physio painful and does it regain full mobility of thumb?
It's not painful as such, more frustrating than anything. Again, take as much time as you can and don't rush anything.
Am i supposed to be off work ? and for how long ?
Depends on your work/what you do. As part of your post-operative consultation you should receive some info on what you can and cannot do (and for how long).

Its odd that something so minor (in my case a fall) could cause so much damage.

Its also shows how much you take mobility for granted- as this small thing is causing major problems forcing me to re-adjust my lifestyle.

I can't drive so cannot take my son to school so have to arrange a morning club for him (wife will drop him off at 7.30am in the morning) it becomes a long day for him though as he isn't collected till 6.00pm - long day for him and he's only 6

I cannot pick my daughter up or bathe her - shes only 2

small things like opening post or bottles have become like a military operation to achieve

I guess this has made me appreciate things a little more

I was going to add to my post yesterday, I experienced all the things that you are going through now. I don't mind saying that it got me down and added a great deal of stress to the better half.

Unfortunately for me it was my writing hand that I damaged so I had to learn to write with my left hand from scratch... As you say, all the things you take for granted you are unable to do....i.e. drive, write, open cans/packets, pick up the children, eat, etc.

As I said yesterday it is around two years since my accident and I now have 95% use of my thumb back. I have a constant (slight) tingling in the scar tissue and I still can't click my fingers properly - this was a target I set myself following physiotherapy.

I've done my best to answer the points above. It took me a full twelve weeks to return to work; whatever you do please don't rush the rehab (although it's tempting to do so) because if you do the tendon is likely to snap again! I'm sure you don't want that to happen.

All the best and if you have any other questions, please ask.

[Sad099]

Hi Mate

Thanks again for your respone - its been most helpful.
Sounds like you have some healing to do too - hope things work out for you and you are clicking those fingers again in no time.

I will make sure I dont rush the physio - I definately dont want to go through this again

Good luck and once again - thanks

Originally Posted by sdb123

I was going to add to my post yesterday, I experienced all the things that you are going through now. I don't mind saying that it got me down and added a great deal of stress to the better half.

Unfortunately for me it was my writing hand that I damaged so I had to learn to write with my left hand from scratch... As you say, all the things you take for granted you are unable to do....i.e. drive, write, open cans/packets, pick up the children, eat, etc.

As I said yesterday it is around two years since my accident and I now have 95% use of my thumb back. I have a constant (slight) tingling in the scar tissue and I still can't click my fingers properly - this was a target I set myself following physiotherapy.

I've done my best to answer the points above. It took me a full twelve weeks to return to work; whatever you do please don't rush the rehab (although it's tempting to do so) because if you do the tendon is likely to snap again! I'm sure you don't want that to happen.

All the best and if you have any other questions, please ask.