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Post by salvatore on Oct 17, 2008 9:05:27 GMT
Sorry, I can't help myself sometimes. Anywho, I am faced with a pretty difficult decision. I have the option of having another surgery, here are the pros and cons: Pros: I may be able to curl fingers easier Mobility will increase Ability to straigten fingers will increase Cons: Chance of the surgery doing nothing. Chance of the surgery damaging mobility. After surgery, I won't be in splint, which increases chance of rupturing something, resulting in more invasive surgery(Can't wear a splint afterwards, because my fingers will freeze because of scar tissue, so that is not an option). So, what do you guys think? I am not quite sure what to do, I feel pretty good using my right hand, though the grip isn't like it used to be, griping narrow things such as a pen or a steak knife or something like that is difficult, but manageable. On the other hand, the surgery may help( And I get more Hydros. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) ), but I won't be able to practice Iai for another 3 months and chance of re-injuring myself increases and etc. I know this is ultimately my decision to make, but I just want to get some opinons. Thanks, Sal
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2008 9:18:11 GMT
My view is to only go under the knife when absolutely necessary, when there's no other possibilty. The more invasive, the more I feel this way. Have you discussed the subject in depth with a physical therapist? Is there a possibility that you could continue to increase your flexibilty, range of motion, etc. in the hand through further physical therapy? If so, I'd go that route for sure. If not, you have to decide how detrimental the limited movement in your hand is going to be to doing the things you want to do. If you can live with it, I'd still avoid further surgery. If it's going to be something you just can't live with, then another surgery may be worth the risks. Only you can decide, of course, but those are my two cents. Best of luck, whatever you choose. ![8-)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/cool.png)
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Oct 17, 2008 9:35:11 GMT
I'm with krieg on this ..... you'er young the wound was bad so give your body a chance to heal
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Post by shadowhowler on Oct 17, 2008 12:39:41 GMT
Yikes... First off, what happened to your hand in the first place? Without specific information, I'd tend to agree with the two opinions already given. Your profile says your only 16... that means your still growing, and your recuperative powers are at their hight. When I was 16 I could heal from injury VERY fast. Nowdays... well... not so much. I'm not a big fan of surgery unless there is no other option... and in the case of someone as young as yourself, I'd be more inclinded to trust the bodies inate healing ability and some good physical therapy. Good luck, no matter which way you decide to go. I'll send hopefull thoughts your way. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Oct 17, 2008 12:52:50 GMT
Salvatore,
I know you are just looking for feedback, but sincerely the best advice I can give you is not to take medical advice from a bunch of folks on a Sword Forum.
Consult an orthoscopic surgeon, or a specialist... one that is not already involved, and doesn't stand to profit from the surgery, and carefully consider their advice.
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Post by shadowhowler on Oct 17, 2008 12:54:45 GMT
Salvatore, I know you are just looking for feedback, but sincerely the best advice I can give you is not to take medical advice from a bunch of folks on a Sword Forum. Consult an orthoscopic surgeon, or a specialist... one that is not already involved, and doesn't stand to profit from the surgery, and carefully consider their advice. ^ This is the best advice... ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2008 16:16:02 GMT
Salvatore, I know you are just looking for feedback, but sincerely the best advice I can give you is not to take medical advice from a bunch of folks on a Sword Forum. Consult an orthoscopic surgeon, or a specialist... one that is not already involved, and doesn't stand to profit from the surgery, and carefully consider their advice. ^ This is the best advice... ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) I have to go with this, and the first reply. Asking around to some people that are not involved, and wont be involved so their opinion is not biased by a potential patient. I'm not a fan of surgery, and also believe it should only be done as a last resort. You would be surprised some of the things physical theropists can do now, especially with a yung body like yours. Aquatics is an awesome form of theropy, I think even for things like a hand. It's suspended in the water, taking the weight and pressure of gravity off of the hand, so you can more easily move it, flex it, stengthen it. It comes down to what someone else said. If your current condition is something you can live with, and you are able to do the things in life you enjoy, ie your Iai, use utensils, play ball etc, then the surgery may not be neccassary for you. Is it something that you can choose to get later on after more time of recovery and theropy? Or do they say it's now or never? I'm suspicious of doctors in the first place, and there are those that just want to do cool surgeries just to do them, or because that's all they know. Not always in the best interest of the patient. Thus why you should talk to some other doctors, specialists and theropists. Good luck. It sounds like you have come a long way since the accident, that is awesome.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2008 19:34:21 GMT
It will keep you away from swords for 3 months? GO FOR IT!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2008 19:56:00 GMT
Just to add my two cents. A couple people have said that it isn't wise to take medical advise from a sword forum, but I think in a lot of cases where someone asks for feedback on things like this, they aren't doing that.
It's more of hear people's thoughts about the general idea, and with more opinions it is easier to sort out your own thoughts.
That said, I agree mainly with the above. See a couple doctors/physicians and get a few opinions before you do something like surgery. (Though I am sure you already have)
Worst case... flip a coin?
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Oct 18, 2008 0:13:00 GMT
Sal, I say have your hand amputated and replace it with a chainsaw. If you dont believe me on how cool that would be.....watch "Army of Darkness"....then you'll understand. ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2008 0:22:59 GMT
Sal, I say have your hand amputated and replace it with a chainsaw. If you dont believe me on how cool that would be.....watch "Army of Darkness"....then you'll understand. ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Seconded.
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Post by salvatore on Oct 18, 2008 6:18:35 GMT
I will say that I accept the advice given to me on a sword forum, because it is non-medical, just opinions about surgery and what not, no harm done. I have met with my surgeon regarding the topic, as well as a hand specialist, and my physical therapist. I'e done just about everthing you guys said, it all comes down to my last decision. I've been through therapy and completed it, and I continue to do the excersises on my own. No improvements so far, though I've been told that in another 7 months or so, my ability to bend my fingers may get better as well as my grip. BUT, here is the catch, my mother's insurance is being cut because her work place...well, sucks. So there isn't the option of going back to it later, I have to decide within the next month or this surgery will cost too much to get. I have been doing Aqua therapy, my normal excersises, worked my hand and pretty much everything you can think of I've done. See? I have already done everything I needed, it isn't a matter of not trusting my surgeon or something of that nature, as it was supposed to be a 3 hour procedure but my surgeon took 7 (Did a damn good job, some people don't even make it as far as I did, so I am told), she is very careful and she did a good job, in fact I was given "One of the best in Buffalo". Oh yeah, the "Army of Darkness" movie, I remember that chainsaw thing, I don't think it is a good idea to give a spinning razor to someone injury prone. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by salvatore on Oct 18, 2008 7:36:09 GMT
Yikes... First off, what happened to your hand in the first place? Without specific information, I'd tend to agree with the two opinions already given. Your profile says your only 16... that means your still growing, and your recuperative powers are at their hight. When I was 16 I could heal from injury VERY fast. Nowdays... well... not so much. I'm not a big fan of surgery unless there is no other option... and in the case of someone as young as yourself, I'd be more inclinded to trust the bodies inate healing ability and some good physical therapy. Good luck, no matter which way you decide to go. I'll send hopefull thoughts your way. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) I agree, I dislike surgery. ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) But yeah, got all 4 of my fingers sliced open by a kukri from cold steel...yeah, use a lanyard.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2008 8:33:49 GMT
depending on the time frame in which you have to decide and how well healed your fingers are I suggest attempting to do your finger exercises in warm water as it allows the scar tissue to soften and allows you to take your exercises farther and makes the exercises more easy, theoretically allowing for better/more natural exercise with more repetitions more easily, tho remember to take it slow so you don't hurt yourself.
if you have a fare amount of time before you have to decide I would suggest trying this, my father did this after he almost got his fingers cut off by a fan blade and didn't want to spend more time away from work after going through more surgery, and it has worked quite well for him.
I don't know if your therapist suggested this or this is in fact what you already do , but if you don't I think you should try it for a wile and see ware it take you.
even if you might not have the opportunity for surgery again for quite some time, it is my opinion that if you can function fine with only minor impedance/annoyance then surgery is the absolute last thing you should resort to.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2008 0:47:17 GMT
Sal
I work in the healthcare field so I know how much the mess will be once your mom insurance ran out so you better get the surgery now and all the theraphies you can get along with it 'cause once your insurance run out the cost of everything will hit the roof .
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Post by shadowhowler on Oct 19, 2008 4:44:56 GMT
But yeah, got all 4 of my fingers sliced open by a kukri from cold steel...yeah, use a lanyard. Geezzz man... owch. I'm sorry that happened to you... my best wishes to you for a full recovery. If the tendons were severed, then you have a lot of time and work ahead of you... but you have youth on your side, and thats something. Best of luck.
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Post by salvatore on Oct 19, 2008 6:18:04 GMT
But yeah, got all 4 of my fingers sliced open by a kukri from cold steel...yeah, use a lanyard. Geezzz man... owch. I'm sorry that happened to you... my best wishes to you for a full recovery. If the tendons were severed, then you have a lot of time and work ahead of you... but you have youth on your side, and thats something. Best of luck. It has been almost 5 months since the incident, so I am pretty much all healed up, tendons are all healed, however. borathian- I was told to do my excersises in Warm water, use a warm/hot towel, and other such things. I've already covered that as well.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2008 14:04:35 GMT
Oh yeah, the "Army of Darkness" movie, I remember that chainsaw thing, I don't think it is a good idea to give a spinning razor to someone injury prone. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) Yet you continue to do so ![::)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) .
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Post by salvatore on Oct 20, 2008 11:25:59 GMT
Oh yeah, the "Army of Darkness" movie, I remember that chainsaw thing, I don't think it is a good idea to give a spinning razor to someone injury prone. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) Yet you continue to do so ![::)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) . What can I say, old habits die hard? ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Just another 2 surgeries and I can get a coupon for buy one get one free. ![::)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) ;D
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