Hand Surgery

almiller86 · June 2015

Hey everyone! So I had surgery on my left hand about 10 years ago.. I have two plates, one on my ringer finger and one on my pointer finger metacarpal along with 4 screws in each and a wire around the pointer finger metacarpal.

My question is... I noticed my pointer finger was sore today but didn't pay much attention to it until I looked at it after work today. Where the two screws are below the joint its swollen and hurts to the touch. I have a desk job, so I type all day and this only happened once before about 5 years ago but there was no pain and no explanation by the doctor... It eventually just went away. I'm thinking pregnancy may have caused some irritation? Any suggestions or has anyone experienced something like this before? Thanks all!

hummingbird35 · June 2015

I think carpal tunnel during pregnancy is pretty common, could it have something to do with that? It's definitely possible that pregnancy could've caused a change in your body that irritated your screws. Maybe check with your doc at next appt?

Beckah31 · June 2015

It might also help to call your hand doc and talk to them about a brace or support- I've had friends who had to wear splints during pregnancy for carpal tunnel. It has something to do with the hormones that allow your pelvis to spread causing other joint issues, if I remember correctly.
It's possible they might have some PT or exercises that will help.

BostonBaby1 · June 2015

I would also call your hand specialist. I have had my left hand rebuilt and have surgical anchors, etc. they may want you to come in for occupational therapy. Feel better mama!

almiller86 · July 2015

Thanks all. I was referred to a hand specialist. Trying to put it off for a bit as my insurance sucks

it's gotten worse the last 3 days and feels as bad as it did when I got out of surgery 10 years ago! Most likely arthritis but I wish it would just go away so I can use my hand again. Not to mention I type all day for work!

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

almiller86 said:
Thanks all. I was referred to a hand specialist. Trying to put it off for a bit as my insurance sucks it's gotten worse the last 3 days and feels as bad as it did when I got out of surgery 10 years ago! Most likely arthritis but I wish it would just go away so I can use my hand again. Not to mention I type all day for work!

I think you should really look into occupational therapy with a hand specialist. I forget what the machine is called, but it is made in Germany and has grains that rotate at a high rate of speed and regulated temperature. I'm not sure as to why it is so effective, but it is and for me, it GREATLY reduced pressure and swelling. You may also need a special hand brace made to wear at least at night... Feel better soon mama!

almiller86 · July 2015

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your advice and suggestions. This is what it looks like from Monday to today. I can't get an apt with the hand specialist until next Thursday. I called my primary for advice as the pain and swelling gets worse everyday. Waiting to hear back now...

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

Sweetheart, I don't want to sound like an alarmist, and I'm not in medicine, but if it were me, I would want to get that seen by your primary before the specialist

misamima · July 2015

That looks painful

Hope everything checks out ok!

almiller86 · July 2015

I know...

It's pretty bad. I saw my primary on Monday and recommended the hand specialist, but because it got worse I just called him again and asked him to call me back. If it looks worse tomorrow my husbands going to bring me to the hospital. He's starting to get a bit nervous now. I just have no idea what it could be.. Hopefully we get answers soon.

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

almiller86 said:
I know... It's pretty bad. I saw my primary on Monday and recommended the hand specialist, but because it got worse I just called him again and asked him to call me back. If it looks worse tomorrow my husbands going to bring me to the hospital. He's starting to get a bit nervous now. I just have no idea what it could be.. Hopefully we get answers soon.

Please keep us updated? Sending thoughts and prayers your way! It looks painful.

almiller86 · July 2015

Thanks @BostonBaby1. We ended up going to the ER and they admitted me yesterday afternoon. They think it's cellulitis and I've been seeing a mix of doctors trying to figure out how and why. They've had my in IV antibiotics and fluids. More doctors are coming in to see me today including my OB. All believe this has had no affect on the baby and the baby is doing wonderful although no ultrasounds or anything have been done. Hopefully they figure it out and let me go home today. I'll keep you updated. Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers!!

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

almiller86 said:
Thanks @BostonBaby1. We ended up going to the ER and they admitted me yesterday afternoon. They think it's cellulitis and I've been seeing a mix of doctors trying to figure out how and why. They've had my in IV antibiotics and fluids. More doctors are coming in to see me today including my OB. All believe this has had no affect on the baby and the baby is doing wonderful although no ultrasounds or anything have been done. Hopefully they figure it out and let me go home today. I'll keep you updated. Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers!!

Thank you so much for the update and I'm really glad that you went in! I've had cellulitis myself before, it wasn't fun. It was in a different context though (immediately post-surgical,) but still. I didn't have any idea though. I'm glad that they are treating you and hopefully you are starting to feel better? Still sending thoughts and prayers your way!

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

How are you OP?

almiller86 · July 2015

I'm still here. Hopefully I'll go home today. It looks much better but they're afraid it may come back so they're being extra procatious because I'm pregnant. A hand specialist came in to speak with me and of the infection doesn't get better in the next two days they may have to go in and take the hardware out and treat the infection again. So it's still a waiting game. Hopefully everything looks good though and they'll send me home today! The interesting thing they did say is that this "infection" could have been going on for a while and my body has just been fighting it off by itself. They said that because I'm pregnant my body needed to worry about other things so it left this to get worse.. Anyhow, hopefully things look good this morning and they can start me in oral meds and monitor me for a few hours so we can go home! My poor husband has been here with me for the last two days lol

BostonBaby1 · July 2015

almiller86 said:
I'm still here. Hopefully I'll go home today. It looks much better but they're afraid it may come back so they're being extra procatious because I'm pregnant. A hand specialist came in to speak with me and of the infection doesn't get better in the next two days they may have to go in and take the hardware out and treat the infection again. So it's still a waiting game. Hopefully everything looks good though and they'll send me home today! The interesting thing they did say is that this "infection" could have been going on for a while and my body has just been fighting it off by itself. They said that because I'm pregnant my body needed to worry about other things so it left this to get worse.. Anyhow, hopefully things look good this morning and they can start me in oral meds and monitor me for a few hours so we can go home! My poor husband has been here with me for the last two days lol

What a great guy! I'm so sorry that you're going through this. It is true that in pregnancy, our immune systems are a little wacky… Hopefully your body can clear this on its own with the oral antibiotics! Please keep us updated?

hummingbird35 · July 2015

@almiller86 sorry to hear you're in the hospital, but glad you're getting looked at! Good luck, hope you don't need another surgery!!

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