Surgery: To be or not to be?

One down...

I met with a hand surgeon yesterday and he gave me a summary of what is really going on with my right arm and my left hand.

Left Hand: My thumb doesn't bend completely and the MRI results said that I had ruptured the tendon to my thumb. However, the doctor explained that if it was ruptured, then I wouldn't be able to move it at all. I can move it a little, so that is good. NO SURGERY on my left arm! There is a lot of Occupational Therapy that I need to do, but I am fine with that.

Right Arm: My little finger and half of my ring finger are "numb" and the strength in my entire right hand is very weak. The MRI results said that I had damage to my Ulna Nerve in my elbow. I also had a EMG test done on my arm to see if the electrical response to my nerve is still working and it's strength. After reading the report from the EMG, I was a little disappointed. The prognosis was fair. I have a little response to my fingers when they did the test at my wrist. When the doctor tried the same test at my forearm and elbow there was no response. They also tested the sensory nerves and there was no response. After talking with hand surgeon, he said NO SURGERY on my right arm. The nerve is severely damaged. There is no surgery that would help it at this point. He said the nerve heals 1mm a day. (25 1/2mm = 1in) (Thanks to Buck's Calculations!) Which means this could take up to a year to reach my little finger. Once the nerve heals then I can get the muscle strength back, but not until it is healed.

So, in conclusion, I was excited to hear that I would not need surgery on either arms. However, I was disappointed to find out that this could take me up to a year to heal. (There is also the possiblity that it will not heal, but I am not going to talk about that option.) Next week I will start therapy twice a week at the same place where I went to see the hand surgeon. They will work specifically with the function of my hands. Fun stuff, I am able to leave out of the house!

One to go...

My main medical doctor wants me to get a second opinion with another hand surgeon which is a good idea when talking about my hands. This will give me a little more insight as to where I am going to go from here. Everyone knows, I want to make sure after all this is over I am able to still play softball! :)

*Melissa Lyle*