I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: YLGuy on January 25, 2012, 06:02:30 PM

Title: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: YLGuy on January 25, 2012, 06:02:30 PM
On Friday the 13th I was flossing my teeth.  I happen to flick my middle finger on my left hand and heard a very loud snap.  It sounded like someone broke a stick in half.  I screamed in pain and could not move my middle finger.  The pain was right around the knuckle on my hand.  I went to urgent care and they x-rayed it and said that it was a tendon and the bone was not broken.  It has a splint on it and is extremely painful to move.  I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday.  My question is do I need to take any extra precautions if they need to operate on my hand.  My fistula is on the same arm.  It is on my forearm.  Do I need to consult with my vascular surgeon if my hand needs to be operated on? Does anyone have any experience with this?
 ???  :'(
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: lmunchkin on January 25, 2012, 06:30:37 PM
Oh Mark, I hate to hear this.  Things were going pretty smoothly then BAM!!  I would call the VS and tell him what is up and let him tell you what or what not to do.  Maybe he can contact the orthpedic dr. and consult with him.  I dont think the fistula arm should be used at all for BP and injections, but do ask to be sure.  It never hurts to be safe than sorry.  You darn sure don't want to compromise your "life Line".

They say that tendons & sprains hurt worse than breaks!
Man, this is a bummer!  Good luck and keep us posted!
God Bless,
lmunchkin
 :kickstart;
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: natnnnat on January 25, 2012, 07:04:46 PM
 ??? ??? ??? ???
How can that even happen???
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: willowtreewren on January 25, 2012, 07:08:32 PM
Marc,

Hopefully you can rehabilitate without surgery.  :cuddle;

But if not, you definitely want the orthopedic guy to coordinate with your vascular surgeon. That fistula is your life line!

I went through a couple of months of physical therapy to get my rotator cuff working again. I was so worried that I would need surgery. But I was very persistent with my exercises and I'm about 95% back now.

Good luck.  :cuddle;

Aleta
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: Desert Dancer on January 26, 2012, 12:16:07 AM
??? ??? ??? ???
How can that even happen???

This.

And: OUCH! Good lord, it's always something, isn't it? I second (or third) the suggestion to have your orthopedic surgeon co-ordinate with your vascular surgeon. You just don't want to take any chances.
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: YLGuy on January 26, 2012, 11:41:21 AM
I called my VS's office and they confirmed that the orthopedic needs to contact them if they plan to operate on my hand.
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: Traveller1947 on January 26, 2012, 04:12:11 PM
A year ago, I woke up with my ring finger locked painfully to my palm on the graft side.  I definitely did not want surgery, so went to a hand therapist who used ultrasound over the tendon where it was visibly swollen and had me do very gentle exercises.  I wore a splint for six weeks. Now, a year later, my finger is almost completely straightened.  Recently, the same thing happened to the ring finger on the other hand.  This time, I'm going to see a hand surgeon, not for surgery, but to be given a steroid injection to reduce the swelling, and so release the tendon.  I'm told that this kind of very painful problem is not uncommon in dialysis patients, I have no idea why.  All the best to you, YLGuy.
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: YLGuy on January 26, 2012, 08:13:52 PM
Not that misery loves company but it is somewhat comforting to know that another has experienced a similar situation.  Thank you so much for responding and informing me of alternative therapies.  I am going to see an orthopedic surgeon.  Surgeons generally like to operate as they are surgeons.
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: Traveller1947 on January 27, 2012, 04:51:54 AM
I'm glad I'd any of my experience is helpful to you, YLGuy.  If you want to try the steroid injection, you need to see a hand surgeon.  Not sure if a regular orthopedic surgeon would know the technique--you don't want a damaged nerve on top of everything else...
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: YLGuy on January 31, 2012, 12:14:32 PM
Home from the Orthopedic.  I snapped a tendon on the back of my hand that connects other tendons.  No surgery but physical therapy(torture) for 6-8 weeks.  I start on Thursday.
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: YLGuy on February 11, 2012, 08:24:32 AM
So now I have torture, I mean physical therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays to round out my M,W,F dialysis days. Something to look forward to every day!  :sarcasm;
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: willowtreewren on February 11, 2012, 11:01:46 AM
Well, you just wouldn't want life to get boring!

I hope the hand improves soon!

 :cuddle;

Aleta
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: Darthvadar on February 11, 2012, 11:51:00 AM
Oh Marc....

Trust you to do something like this!!!!...

Hope it heals very quickly...

Love...

Darth....
Title: Re: Fistula Arm and an injured hand
Post by: lmunchkin on February 11, 2012, 03:46:25 PM
Yeap, sounds like you gonna be "tied up" with doctors 5 days a week!  :stressed;  Sorry dude!

lmunchkin
 :kickstart;