Ken Nowicki on fri 7 may 10
nces
Miri,
You should probably talk to Mark Issenberg, I *think* he is still a
subscriber to this list... anyway... Mark has had several trigger-finger
related issues (and surgeries) and if I'm not mistaken, and is currently
healing from his SIXTH one as we speak. If anyone can talk to you about
"trigger-finger" issues... I'm sure Mark could share a thing or two. You ca=
n
drop him an email at ASHPOTS@aol.com Good luck!
- Ken
Ken Nowicki
Port Washington, New York
KenJNowicki@gmail.com
Potters Council Charter Member
On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 9:55 AM, Miri Hardy wrote:
> Hi all,
> I have scheduled surgery to repair trigger thumb in my right hand (I'm
> right
> handed). I have not responded to other courses of treatment (including
> multiple cortisone shots). I have scoured the Clayart archives for
> experiences
> of clay folks with trigger thumb but am still left wanting.
>
> If you have had surgery to relieve trigger thumb (or finger) I'd love to
> hear from
> you. I'm especially interested in hearing about the recovery process
> (e.g., how
> long it took) and any specific tips or advice you might have about
> recovery,
> healing, and getting back into the studio asap.
>
> Thanks in advance and all the best,
>
> Miri in PR
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> http://www.rinconpottery.com
> http://www.facebook.com/RinconPottery
>
>
Maurice Weitman on fri 7 may 10
nces
At 9:55 -0400 on 5/4/10, Miri Hardy wrote:
>Hi all,
>I have scheduled surgery to repair trigger thumb in my right hand (I'm rig=
ht
>handed). I have not responded to other courses of treatment (including
>multiple cortisone shots). I have scoured the Clayart archives for
>experiences
>of clay folks with trigger thumb but am still left wanting.
>
>If you have had surgery to relieve trigger thumb (or finger) I'd
>love to hear from
>you. I'm especially interested in hearing about the recovery
>process (e.g., how
>long it took) and any specific tips or advice you might have about recover=
y,
>healing, and getting back into the studio asap.
Hello, Miri,
Sorry about your thumb.
At this point, I ought to have bionic hands. I've had release
surgeries for carpal tunnel on both hands, and on four of my fingers,
three on my left and one on my right. (I, too, have had multiple
cortisone injections which work great for several months and work
wonders in destruction of soft tissue.)
The good news is that the fingers on which I've had the surgery don't
hurt anymore. The bad news is that I may have lost some strength
because of that, and (at least) two of my remaining uncut fingers are
triggering.
Also, the swelling on the last hand on which I had surgery is still
swollen, about three years post-op.
I've been told that the doc was (one of) the best. May be so.
About the recovery, it will surely vary. I've never had thumb
problems, so this might not apply, but I've learned that there are
two surgical approaches in use (and sorry about the sloppiness of
this; I might not have the terms exactly right): open and micro- or
arthroscopic.
All of my surgeries were "open" which means larger scars, longer
recovery, and much more post-op uhhh... discomfort. All right, it
was painful. See: for an
explanation of why injuries to one's hands are more painful than most
other parts of our bodies. In short, it's because there are many
times more sensory receptors in our hands than other parts of the
body.
The upshot is that it hurts like hell. This is a large reason why
the tiny incision of arthroscopy is preferred by patients. The
downside is that the surgeon can't really see the area as well as if
s/he cut you up bad. This makes for interesting and often difficult
discussions with one's surgeon.
Bottom line for me: if you have confidence in your surgeon, go with
their preference.
I sense that you're fairly far along in the process, but it's never
too late to ask around for opinions. I've found that hand therapists
(also called occupational therapists), or physical therapists who do
a lot of hand work will have good ideas about who the good docs are.
They see results of many surgeons and know more than they should
about their relative value.
I hope that helps; I'd be happy to answer questions, on list or off.
Good luck to you!!!
Best,
Maurice
Birgit Wright on fri 7 may 10
nces
Hi all=3D3B I just looked up trigger finger=3D2C without trying to sound l=
ike =3D
a hypochondriac=3D2C I didn't know that was what was happening with my fing=
er=3D
s. I know I have carpul tunnel syndrome because I had it diagnosed=3D2C th=
e =3D
doctor was ready for surgery but I said I'll call you ( this was about 7 yr=
=3D
s. ago). After I researched it=3D2C I decided against it. There seemed to =
be=3D
a 50/50 chance of success of continued relief. I am not against surgery s=
=3D
ince I am very happy to have my new hip (9 yrs. ago)=3D2C but I researched =
th=3D
at too=3D2C and its success rate was much better. I have found stratagies t=
ha=3D
t bring relief to the Carpul Tunnel symptoms=3D2C and when I ignore them is=
w=3D
hen I will also experience this other problem of what I always called the =
=3D
zinging finger event=3D2C when it would feel as though something sproinged =
a =3D
muscle in my finger=3D2C really disconcerting.
Things I have found to mitigate the symptoms are=3D2C 1. avoid dehydratio=
n=3D
=3D2C i mean more than just water=3D2C proper PH balance and electrolytes. =
2. =3D
pay attention to the muscles in your neck and shoulder because according to=
=3D
phisiotherapists that is really where problems in your hands come from. 3=
=3D
. By accident I found that lying flat on your back with hands straight at y=
=3D
our sides can make carpul tunnel abate. And sleeping without a pillow has =
=3D
improoved that night time attack of gripping pain. I hold the pillow to my=
=3D
chest when sleeping on my side to prevent my shoulder curling over and pul=
=3D
ling. ( I'd use my husband but he can get pretty sweaty). And no. 4... Oh=
=3D
=3D2C My God! YOUR POSTURE=3D2C Its amazing how many times I have sucked i=
n my=3D
gut=3D2C straightened my spine=3D2C and squared my shoulders only to have =
a mu=3D
ltitude of pains disappear.=3D20
Now I have to admit that I take a big bunch of vitamins and antioxidents =
=3D
and etc. but I function and can get on with throwing clay around. =3D20
The best of luck for the surgery and I wish you sound healing. Birgit Wri=
=3D
ght =3D20
=3D20
> Date: Tue=3D2C 4 May 2010 09:55:40 -0400
> From: miri@RINCONPOTTERY.COM
> Subject: Trigger Thumb Surgery: Looking for first hand (sorry!) experienc=
=3D
es
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>=3D20
> Hi all=3D2C
> I have scheduled surgery to repair trigger thumb in my right hand (I'm ri=
=3D
ght=3D20
> handed). I have not responded to other courses of treatment (including=3D=
20
> multiple cortisone shots). I have scoured the Clayart archives for experi=
=3D
ences=3D20
> of clay folks with trigger thumb but am still left wanting.=3D20
>=3D20
> If you have had surgery to relieve trigger thumb (or finger) I'd love to =
=3D
hear from=3D20
> you. I'm especially interested in hearing about the recovery process (e.g=
=3D
.=3D2C how=3D20
> long it took) and any specific tips or advice you might have about recove=
=3D
ry=3D2C=3D20
> healing=3D2C and getting back into the studio asap.
>=3D20
> Thanks in advance and all the best=3D2C
>=3D20
> Miri in PR
>=3D20
>=3D20
> __________________________________________________________
> http://www.rinconpottery.com
> http://www.facebook.com/RinconPottery
>=3D20
=3D20
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