How do you know when a fistula has matured?

[RightSide]

On August 12, I had yet another fistula operation on my left arm.  Unlike the previous ones, this one seems to be holding--no clots, no occlusions, bruit and thrill are still present.

OK, so how do we know when the fistula is ready for use?  Do we just wait a full 2 months and then take a stab at it (pun intended) and try to cannulate it?  Or is there some more definitive test for determining if the fistula has matured sufficiently, before trying it out for the first time?

[willowtreewren]

Our vascular surgeon pronounced my husband's fit. Do you return to your vascular surgeon?

Aleta

[glitter]

when it stops telling jokes about boogers?

(as you can see....I have not matured yet!)

My husbands vein DR. didn't let them try his fistula until he pronounced it ready. 

[justatech]

Usually the surgeon is the one to make the final call. The fistula usually takes the full 8-10 weeks to mature and grow in diameter before it is able to be stuck. And I do know that it has to be a certain diameter for it to be considered mature.

[YLGuy]

when it stops telling jokes about boogers?

(as you can see....I have not matured yet!)

I read that and there was about a 2 second delay while I processed what you wrote and then I cracked up.  Good one!
 

Yes, My vascular surgeon had to make the call when my fistula was ready.

[Nobbzee]

I think the minimum wait time is at least 8 weeks. In mine, it took about 12 weeks before my nephrologist would approve the nurses sticking me. It looked good to the nurses after 9 weeks but they didn't want to stick me without a note from my doctor which is weird because when I called my doctor, he said that if the nurses thought it was ok then they should go ahead. But without that note, the nurses weren't going to do it. Must've been for legal reasons, I guess.

Anyway, keep doing the wrists exercises when you can. Those squeeze balls and also a 10 pound barbell helps make it grow.

[BRANDY]

I have a question simullar to the topic.  If you have a fistula and it is,  say a year later will they be able to use it then or do you have to keep squeezing the ball for that year   I read this back to myself  and really dont know if it willl make since to you    question is  how long do you squeeze   and do you squeeze balll after you start dialysis?

[BASSMAN]

I have a question simullar to the topic.  If you have a fistula and it is,  say a year later will they be able to use it then or do you have to keep squeezing the ball for that year   I read this back to myself  and really dont know if it willl make since to you    question is  how long do you squeeze   and do you squeeze balll after you start dialysis?

I would like to know the answer myself.  Good question!

[Nobbzee]

I have a question simullar to the topic.  If you have a fistula and it is,  say a year later will they be able to use it then or do you have to keep squeezing the ball for that year   I read this back to myself  and really dont know if it willl make since to you    question is  how long do you squeeze   and do you squeeze balll after you start dialysis?

I'm not a doctor so take what I say with a grain of salt. I believe the exercises are to help the fistula mature. After a year, the fistula definitely should be developed well enough. Even though my fistula is already mature and I'm using it for dialysis, I still on occasion do some exercises because a nurse told me it'll help keep blood pumping through it and may even extend the life of the fistula. Again, take this advice with a grain of salt. Yes, I still exercise it but I have to admit that I don't do it daily. Usually I do it every other day, on non dialysis days and while watching tv.

As for how long, the recommendation for me was squeeze the ball for 15 minutes 4 times a day for a total of one hour a day. Hope this helps some.

[Ang]

if  the  fistula  is  new  away  from  old  fistula 6 weeks  is  the  going  rate  for  maturity  as  long  as  you  do  the  squishy  ball  exercises

if  only  part  of  the  fistula  is  repaired  you  should  get  away  after  3  -4 weeks

take  directions  from  your  neph/surgeon

[kellyt]

Yeah Glittler!        When it stops giggling when the subject of "sex" comes up.     


But seriously, for me it would have been when A) my doctor approved and B) when the Vascular Surgeon approved.  Mine was deep even though he moved the vein closer to the surface at the time of surgery.  You could feel my fistula under my skin, but you couldn't see it.  Thankfully I never had to use it as I transplanted almost exacly one year to the date of getting the fistula.

Good Luck.

[justatech]

The squishy ball excercises are only good for fistulas that are in the forearms. We recommend that our patients with upper arm fistulas is to take a 1 pound weight, or even a good size can of veggies and do arm curls. That will get the blood pumping in the upper arm, thus expanding the size of it. As for how many, they suggest 50 at a time, at least 10 times a day. With slow, restricted movements. just flopping your arm back and forth won't help. 

[Wayne]

I was like most everyone else, my surgeon said mine was ready but I didn't start dialysis for another 8 months.  My first surgery didn't take.  It was around my wrist.  The second one took and was right above my the bend of my arm (opposite of the elbow).  After a few days I could actually hear it pumping if the room was quiet.

[RightSide]

Even though my fistula is already mature and I'm using it for dialysis, I still on occasion do some exercises because a nurse told me it'll help keep blood pumping through it and may even extend the life of the fistula. Again, take this advice with a grain of salt. Yes, I still exercise it but I have to admit that I don't do it daily. Usually I do it every other day, on non dialysis days and while watching tv.

As for how long, the recommendation for me was squeeze the ball for 15 minutes 4 times a day for a total of one hour a day. Hope this helps some.

Is squeezing a rubber ball a good exercise for an upper arm fistula? Because that's what I have.

I would think that squeezing a ball wouldn't affect one's upper arm that much.

[Brianna!]

Is squeezing a rubber ball a good exercise for an upper arm fistula? Because that's what I have.

I would think that squeezing a ball wouldn't affect one's upper arm that much.

I had to squeeze a ball, and I have an upper arm fistula. I was squeezing a rubber ball right now, while feeling my fistula, and I felt it move a little bit. haha