Hi Joe,
Have to tag onto Harv's post here as I didn't get the original.
Personally I've never heard of a wrist replacement, but that isn't saying
much!
As to your herniated discs, that is something I can relate to. Lumbar
(lower) back
and cervical (neck and a bit below) are very common areas for problems.
Seems
ever since we decided to walk upright these problems have come about.
Herniated discs
can heal themselves given the opportunity. That is not saying they will in
your case though
(or mine.) You could try one of those machines where you hang by your feet
to take some pressure
off the spine for a bit. A friend of mine swears by his. With my back, I
would do more harm than good I think.
Procedure with backs are least invasive to most invasive (surgery.) But like
I said, given time they may
repair on their own.
As I've aged I've had to modify what I can and can't do anymore. I miss many
things I used to be able to do, but
I've found other things to replace them. I was always a very physically
oriented person, but my body just
won't allow that anymore. Am in my mid 50's and started having trouble in my
20's. Mid 40's was when I
started having to modify my behaviors or suffer the consequences (pain!)
It's a bit difficult at first, but one gradually adapts.
Hope the best for you.
GaryZ

Thanks for the reply. Both injuries are worker's comp cases and medical
expenses are covered. My next worry is income. I will apply for social
security soon.  I don't see my hand Dr. until mid april and will
discuss wrist replacement and try to determine how much time I have
before the wrist is completely useless. I would like to talk to someone
with a new wrist.

Nann emailed me. Having computer issues -- beem back three times since
Jan and I am on hold with tech support once again. This time they told
me they are replacing the whole thing. sigh...

Let's see, Lost the first wrist [left hand] and there was nothing to do
but fused the thing. It was too far gone to try a replacement. My left
hand is definitely the stronger one and I am able to pick up heavy
package albeit one handed. It rotates palm up and palm down with no
pain and with no trouble. it does not bend. It has a metal bar and
screws holding the metal to the remaining bone. I have been told if the
metal had bothered me, they could remove it after a year or so but it
has never been a problem and that is going on 20years?  now.
When my right wrist began to be a problem, I went to see my hand
surgeon early on in the process.

Computer acting up going to send this now before I lose it and continue
in another post
Duckie

Okay, post two

So we went ahead with the replacement in the right wrist. I worked
really hard in OT -- too hard in fact and actually got further in my
ability to bend the thing than was recommended for my type of
replacement. That actually made it weaker and subseptible to breaking.
While swing dancing a year later, it snapped. opps  We re-replaced it.
I asked OT for specifics on the amount of bend and had all I was
suppose to have by the time the cast was removed. So be careful with
that.
A replaced wrist has a weight limit of 10 pounds and if you exceed that
you are risking ruining the replacement. I find that there are things I
can't reach with my fused wrist and therefore can't iimagine fusing
both of them. Toileting is what I am talking about. When I have had
surgery on my right hand, I have to use one of the toileting brushes
that you wrap toilet paper around. Really don't want to be stuck having
to do that all the time for the rest of my life. When that day comes I
will face it but for now, I will protect my wrist replacement.
I have a special hard cast I dance in now which I designed and OT built
for me. Actually on my third one now. My hand surgeon is a swing dancer
so he never said don't do it, he said 'i'll write the order and you
tell them what you need'.
You didn't say if you were seeing a specific hand surgeon. You really
need someone who specializes. Had my new TKR done by a sports medicine
ortho who also specialized in RA knees. I picked him specifically. I
didn't want to be told to stop dancing. I wanted him to be sure that I
could. Actually went river rafting with MaryZ that summer with my new
knee. So what I am saying is that you need to do your homework -- bravo
for coming here -- and pick someone who will give you the result you
want and need. Be realistic as well as you may not be able to go back
to the work you were doing before. I see no problem with the piano
though. But holding your body weight climbing on poles would really be
out for me -- of course climbing up a pole and dangling above the
ground would never have started with this scaried cat. lol
Computer buzzing again. Ask Nann for my real email as this one I am
posting with is just for the spammers - I never check it.
Hey ASA -- I miss you.
Duckie