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The New Coffee Room

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  3. Had my first PT appt today

Had my first PT appt today

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  • MikM Away
    MikM Away
    Mik
    wrote on last edited by
    #21

    What George said. Not the time to address this passively.

    โ€œI am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.โ€ ~Winston S. Churchill

    1 Reply Last reply
    • HoraceH Horace

      Nah, something is wrong again. I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity. I really like this surgeon and he does want this to work. But he's not going to conflict too strongly with his PT team and there can never be any proof of anything anyway. I can't twitch the thumb anymore. That got a shrug and a positive thoughts reaction from the surgeon yesterday. It will take time before the fact that the joint is non functional is accepted. I am familiar with this process from last time. Maybe there will be another procedure. I have three months of free medical care, so there's at least that.

      taiwan_girlT Offline
      taiwan_girlT Offline
      taiwan_girl
      wrote on last edited by
      #22

      @Horace ๐Ÿ™ So sorry to hear this!!

      I will continue to send positive thoughts to you and your thumb!!!

      1 Reply Last reply
      • HoraceH Online
        HoraceH Online
        Horace
        wrote on last edited by
        #23

        I'm doing what I can. If you haven't experienced the wall of positive thinking assumptions you may not respect how high and solid it is. I am reminded of the old story of investigative journalists embedding themselves in insane asylums to study them from the inside. Turns out, it's actually not possible to convince anybody there you're sane, even if you are. In that same vein, it's difficult to convince physical therapists or even the surgeon that the repair failed. There is no demonstrable lack of function that will convince them, until some certain amount of time has passed. I was very direct with the PT today that I am worried that there is another discontinuity. I demonstrated my lack of ability to twitch the joint. She is not convinced. I asked her to relay my concerns to the surgeon, even if she thought I was being paranoid. I have already relayed those concerns to him yesterday. This is the same dance I went through with the last surgeon/pt team. That time, I allowed myself to question my conclusions a little but this time I am just depressed about the whole thing. I won't be giving up and there is yet more time for another free procedure this year. Good thing they don't jack up health insurance rates like they do for car insurance, when you use it.

        Education is extremely important.

        1 Reply Last reply
        • HoraceH Online
          HoraceH Online
          Horace
          wrote on last edited by
          #24

          I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

          Education is extremely important.

          Doctor PhibesD MikM 2 Replies Last reply
          • George KG George K

            @Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:

            I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity

            The surgeon MUST be made aware of this. If the PT did damage, he should stop referring patients to that organization, or that therapist's qualifications/abilities should be re-examined.

            Also, does the surgeon say "Wait, and see how it goes?"

            The problem with tendon injuries is that if they're not repaired, the tendon can atrophy and become useless for further repair. That's the physiology of rotator cuff arthropathy. If the rotator cuff repair is delayed, the tendons turn to mush, and won't hold a suture. I'd see him again ASAP.

            JollyJ Offline
            JollyJ Offline
            Jolly
            wrote on last edited by
            #25

            @George-K said in Had my first PT appt today:

            @Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:

            I can pinpoint it to what the PT did but that is never going to be accepted so I'm just going to shrug with ignorance as it ever so slowly dawns on everybody that there must be another tendon discontinuity

            The surgeon MUST be made aware of this. If the PT did damage, he should stop referring patients to that organization, or that therapist's qualifications/abilities should be re-examined.

            Also, does the surgeon say "Wait, and see how it goes?"

            The problem with tendon injuries is that if they're not repaired, the tendon can atrophy and become useless for further repair. That's the physiology of rotator cuff arthropathy. If the rotator cuff repair is delayed, the tendons turn to mush, and won't hold a suture. I'd see him again ASAP.

            This.

            โ€œCry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!โ€

            Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terroristsโ€™ "due process". โ€” Buck Sexton

            1 Reply Last reply
            • HoraceH Horace

              I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

              Doctor PhibesD Offline
              Doctor PhibesD Offline
              Doctor Phibes
              wrote on last edited by
              #26

              @Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:

              I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

              I'm very non-pushy too in RL and generally sit silently stewing rather than get something done, but I think with medical issues you really have to be your own advocate when something isn't right.

              I was only joking

              1 Reply Last reply
              • HoraceH Horace

                I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

                MikM Away
                MikM Away
                Mik
                wrote on last edited by
                #27

                @Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:

                I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

                If I were nearby Iโ€™d be glad to go with you as your pushy bastard companion. ๐Ÿ˜

                โ€œI am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.โ€ ~Winston S. Churchill

                George KG 1 Reply Last reply
                • MikM Mik

                  @Horace said in Had my first PT appt today:

                  I know I could be more proactive. Heck, I could probably just request my surgeon refer me to a third opinion and maybe it'd all be covered. I guess I have a very strong tendency against being that pushy.

                  If I were nearby Iโ€™d be glad to go with you as your pushy bastard companion. ๐Ÿ˜

                  George KG Offline
                  George KG Offline
                  George K
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #28

                  @Mik said in Had my first PT appt today:

                  If I were nearby Iโ€™d be glad to go with you

                  ...as your pushy doctor companion. I spent 40 years dealing with surgeons. I'm not confrontational; not shy, though

                  "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                  The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • JollyJ Offline
                    JollyJ Offline
                    Jolly
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #29

                    I've seen one (surgeon) knocked-out in the blood bank. Can I go?๐Ÿ˜„

                    โ€œCry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!โ€

                    Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terroristsโ€™ "due process". โ€” Buck Sexton

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • brendaB Offline
                      brendaB Offline
                      brenda
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #30

                      I wish I could go with you, Horace. I'm soft-spoken, but I get things resolved, even with people who try to stonewall. There's always a way. I've worked with doctors, state legislators, and state departments (even got a significant contractual concession from our MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development, which I was told couldn't happen). Heck, I even took on Governor Ventura and got applause from the group of attendees at the Governor's mansion. Hubby always has me do our negotiating.

                      Really, I wish I lived close enough. People always underestimate me, until they learn. You'll get what you need, and you'll be entertained. ๐Ÿ˜€

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • HoraceH Online
                        HoraceH Online
                        Horace
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #31

                        Thanks Brenda. I have no doubt you would be a valuable friend in many situations. My wife too wanted to go with me. She is an assertive negotiator as well. (I think this characteristic may be more common in Chinese culture.)

                        But, I do have good news. I can twitch my thumb. I think the problem that started after the first PT appt was a matter of swelling somewhere along the line of the tendon sheath, around the wrist. This swelling wasn't as present immediately after the surgery but maybe increased in the following several days. There is clearly a connection there at the thumb, so while I think her pressing into the repair was ill advised, it does not appear to have broken the connection. So, I suppose my temperate reaction prevented a little embarrassment as time did in fact fix this one. The joint is still super weak, but that's normal. we'll see how much function I have eight weeks from now.

                        Education is extremely important.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • George KG Offline
                          George KG Offline
                          George K
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #32

                          I'll come along, as I said, just to translate and evaluate surgical bullshit.

                          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • kluursK Offline
                            kluursK Offline
                            kluurs
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #33

                            Horace, you don't strike me as a shy guy. In any event, I'm super encouraged to hear that your thumb is twitching. Hand surgery and rehab is a challenging business so I hope you have the best people taking care of you.

                            taiwan_girlT 1 Reply Last reply
                            • HoraceH Online
                              HoraceH Online
                              Horace
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #34

                              Thanks Kluurs, I'm more optimistic about my eventual recovery today than I have been before. I think the precarious part is over, but I'll be super careful for the next few weeks just the same. The brace stays on but for the exercises.

                              Education is extremely important.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • kluursK Offline
                                kluursK Offline
                                kluurs
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #35

                                I have pretty severe arthritis in the thumb - and wear a brace on the hand at night. I also apply Arnicare - a topical anti-inflamatory. Mind you, I'm not a wholistic anything - and the combo have really helped me. I found out that some of the lotions that massage therapists use on people also contain arnicare - helps to make the person feel even better about their massages. In any event, the brace and arnicare have made a huge difference in my mobility. I thought I was done with piano - but I'm back - can't play some of the things I used to, but I can play a lot more than I though I'd be able to based on where I was a couple of years ago.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • kluursK kluurs

                                  Horace, you don't strike me as a shy guy. In any event, I'm super encouraged to hear that your thumb is twitching. Hand surgery and rehab is a challenging business so I hope you have the best people taking care of you.

                                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                                  taiwan_girlT Offline
                                  taiwan_girl
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #36

                                  @kluurs said in Had my first PT appt today:

                                  I'm super encouraged to hear that your thumb is twitching.

                                  Me too. That is good news!!

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • RainmanR Offline
                                    RainmanR Offline
                                    Rainman
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #37

                                    Yeah, I'm with everybody -- celebrate Horace's twitching thumb!
                                    At least this is a touch of good news, and these days any good news is something.
                                    Keep on keep'n on, Horace!

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • brendaB Offline
                                      brendaB Offline
                                      brenda
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #38

                                      That's wonderful news, Horace. I'm not as patient as I should be with medical stuff, so good for you that you are. Thank you for the update, and continue to keep us posted on progress.

                                      I'll go unpack my suitcase for now, but I'll keep it handy for a while yet.
                                      ๐Ÿ™‚

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • HoraceH Online
                                        HoraceH Online
                                        Horace
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #39

                                        Sounds good, Brenda. And thanks, Rainman and TG. Every day I seem to have slightly more range of motion. I think the whole pulley mechanism needs to get unstuck from the post surgical swelling. hoping to prevent scar tissue as much as possible, so doing lots of wrist and hand massaging.

                                        Education is extremely important.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • kluursK Offline
                                          kluursK Offline
                                          kluurs
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #40

                                          That swelling can take a remarkably long period of time to come down - months rather than days.

                                          When we have a hand or finger injury, it always seems that either we're bumping into things or others are helping us by bumping into it.

                                          You're not ready for it yet, but I had a massage therapist friend work on my hand a bit which also helped range of motion.

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