cellulitis+tendons

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jinky
jinky Member Posts: 746
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone had surgery on your hand. My 3 middle fingers won't straighten up since I had cellulitis 6 weeks ago. I saw a surgeon and I am to have a appointment, which will take forever here in Nova Scotia, with a plastic surgeon. I am scared of surgery as I don't want to go through cellulitis again. I am left handed and this is my le arm and hand. I also have arthritis  in all my joints and when it bothers me I swell. Tried exercing my hand it only causes my arthritis to swell more. All my knuckle joints have arthritis to. I am on celebrex one a day but when I take 2 a day I feel so much better but I heard the risk of stroke and HA is high on the 400mg. Anyone have any thoughts....le hugs jinkyns

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    Jinky, no doubt the arthritis and the trauma from the infection did some damage to your tendons. There are studies of women who've had carpal tunnel surgery--and as long as they keep the tourniquet time short, they've done okay.

    Ironically, celebrex is notorious for causing edema. 

    Perhaps the surgeon can just try a more conservative approach before surgery.

    I had a fracture of my LE hand, and it's taken close to the year, after 6 weeks in a cast, for things to get back to "normal". No surgery, just a cast.

    Kira

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2011

    Wow Kira a year......maybe my fingers will improve with time....I am opening and closing them a few times a day.....maybe not rush to surgery.....I also think maybe I should have a MRI before surgery but maybe the PS will know just by examing me.....any thoughs ....glad I am on only 1 celebrex but I really need it as I have acid reflex to. le hugs jinkyns

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    Jinky, I had "hand therapy" with an OT who is trained in LE--she still made a few mistakes, but it made all the difference for getting my motion back.

    Yeah, before the fall, I was in really good shape, then after, I needed more compression and spent months wrapping early and often. 

    Now, I'm being an absolute idiot, lifting heavy stuff as we move into the new house, and clean up after the hurricane, and knock on wood, I'm getting away with it--but wrapping at night. I did pull out the Solaris to give it a try, but I pushed my limits yesterday. Soon.

    Kira

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2011

    I am doing exercises and my therapist suggested trying a hand splint  at night .Got one and with a few modifications it will keep my hand and fingers straight. Also found out the PS surgeon won't be happening till Spring. I'm determined to fix it myself before that. Going to make it a priority and do exercises every day. Thanks for listening....le hugs jinkyns

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2011

    Jinky, you inspire! Please keep us posted. Spring is a long way away -- that's outrageous! Don't overdo.

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited September 2011

    Glad the surgery wouldn't be until spring, I wouldn't want to rush into surgery.  I would think slow stretches would be better.  

    I think sometimes we have to out weigh the benefits, better to take more meds & feel better or worry about side effects. My arthritis doesn't sound as advanced as yours but I think I would take the extra meds. 

    Hope you find a solution. NJ 

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2011

    Can't wear the splint all night as with my fingers straight my knuckles are red and swollen. I am going to wear it one hour at a time in the daytime. You know with my fingers like this I can still grip anything and no pain....just  looks like I am drinking a tea in England. lol le hugs jinkyns 

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2011

    It's the exercises and arthritis causing the swelling and not the splint.....bc hugs jinkyns

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2011

    Jinky, bummer! So, what's the plan now? It's hard to control the LE with no exercise, but on the other hand the exercise causes pain, and that makes the LE hard to control too!Frown All this trial and error is ... well, it's a trial, for sure. And I suppose the cooler weather, which should be a help to the LE, makes the arthritis worse? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaauugh!!Yell

    Huge, very gentle hugs,
    Binney

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