Well, shoot! I am so sorry to hear you news. I can understand why you
are worn out.
I have not had the procedure so have nothing to say on that, but just
wanted to wish you luck if you decided to go through the procedure,
and extend my concern for your having to go through surgery again.

    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

(((Carol)))
JMO, of course, but please do get that second opinion.
The osteotomy done on my right leg caused more problems than
expected...the plate and screws finally had to be removed because of
the pain I had. But a leg and arm are way different <s>, and I'm sure
there have been improvements in technique and materials since then.
I hesitated about sharing this with you because I don't want to scare
you! But in hopes it will help you make an informed decision...
Best wishes on whatever you decide to do!
donnah

(((((Carol))))))  I have no knowledge of the procedure, but I'd agree with
donnah on the second opinion.  Don't you have an orthopod you really like and
trust?  See what he says for starters. Or maybe see about getting another
opinion from a physiatrist?  Mike's ex (a pathologist, herself) always says
don't see a surgeon unless you're planning to have surgery as cutting is the
only treatment they know.

hell, I still have pain from the arm bone I broke in second grade, 40 years
ago.  I can't see doing this without a compelling reason and the knowledge
that it is absolutely necessary.

(the recovery time sounds about right though - when I shattered my wrist in
'94, I was in an external fixator for 10 weeks, then ordered not to do
anything remotely risky to it for another month.)

Can't blame you at all for being tired of surgery, sometimes the body and
mind just need a break to rest and catch up.  That is another consideration
to weigh in making the decision.  You will heal much faster and more
thoroughly when you are ready to have the surgery.

{{{{{{{Carol}}}}}}}

Sweetheart, you need a break! Ooooops! Poor choice of words.  Just know that
we love you.  Get a second opinion and let us know what you choose.

Hugs, DeeTee
________________________________
DeeTee and Bob Taggart
http://www.marykay.com/dtaggart3
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8fwov/
________________________________

((((((((((((((((carol)))))))))))))))))) boy, sweetie, no wonder you're worn
out.  i can see why you'd be concerned and bummed out.  i know you're tired
of surgeries, hon.  try to lay that aside a minute and listen to what your
"gut" is telling you about this.

definitely take your films and test results to an orthopod who is NOT a
surgeon, carol.  good thinking on your part.  it might well be the best
procedure for you, or maybe not.

i'd also be talking to the referring doctor about it, your rd, i think you
said.  level with that doctor about your feelings about this.   your
feelings about this need to be heard by a doctor, for your own peace of
mind.

i have some questions-- like how long has this situation been bothering you
and was it an acute onset or something that developed gradually?  i mean,
when your growth plates quit growing, they don't grow anymore, as i
understand it.  for women, i think that's around the age of 18-20.   and has
this "tearing of your tfc ligament" been going on since then, since the
final bone growth was laid down?  if not, why now?  what else could it be
that has shortened the ligament since then?

is the plate going inbetween the two forearm bones, or on the outside of
your ulnar bone where you are going to have to be careful about bumping it?
not that it will be damaged by light bumping, but it does cause pain to run
it into something.

personally, i was told by an ortho-surgeon and an orthopod that bone
fracture plates should not be left inside a patient for life, for lots of
very good reasons.  you need to know if he intends to leave the plate and
screws in and why.  or if he is considering removing it, or somebody else
removing it, sometime in the future when you have solid bone there.

not to scare you, sweetie, but most doctors and surgeons do this----they
tell you "only so much", unless you ask questions.  the catch 22 is that
most of the time we don't know enough to be able to ask questions and they
know that.  i'd suggest looking up this procedure on the web, so that you
can ask questions, the answers of which might be important to you, if you
knew enough to ask them.  wishing you the best possible outcome, no matter
which way you decide to go with this.

kate

Carol,

This sounds horrible what you are going thru. I am hoping and praying for
the best outcome with this for you. My thoughts are with you. I know sweetie
how you are feeling worn out. It is a bit much isn't it. ;-)

I hope all recoveries and healing will be speedy for you.