Hello everyone,
It has been awhile since I have asked a question. In June of last year my daughter fell roller skating and broke her wrist. She required emergency surgery to put pins in and all was well. Over the course of the year she has complained of her wrist hurting on and off, mostly when she was active with her sports. Two weeks ago I took her back to her orthopedist and her xray showed her little bone (ulna) has stopped growing and her big bone (radius) has kept growing hence the pain which has been exasperated by her sports. Long story short they are going to stop the radius from growing anymore hoping to alleviate the pain. She is 14 so her arm will not grow much more and it will not be a noticeable difference. Her doctor referred me to a partner who is more of hand/ arm specialist and he recommends the same thing. Anyway we have thought this out and had a couple of appointments so we are going ahead with the surgery as we believe this is our best course of action.
I just was curious if anyone has had this happen to them ? If not good thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Wild Woman- They did talk about extending the little bone by adding bone from her hip and adding plates and pins. Her big bone does not have a groove for her little bone to fit next to per say so there was a really big chance that it would cause friction and early arthritis. I should have added that. I am so sad over this and we have really just talked and talked to the doctors and it has been such a hard choice. thank you so much for the good thoughts.
Thank you everyone for your amazing support. I will keep you all posted. Her surgery is scheduled for December 1st. A couple of answers to some questions. We really included her in this process and she is really ready for the pain to subside. We thought about waiting and seeing it how it pans out but with one bone growing and the other not it just will not get better by itself. Both hubby and I really talked about this and we as a family feel this is the best choice. I of course am very hesitant because she is my baby and surgery scares me. Thank you again. I can always count on this page for honest answers and great support
I've not had your specific issue but I know what you're going through with concern for your daughter and facing surgery,
It's scary. I'll keep you in my prayers.
My 21 yr old had heart surgery this past July and it is s very stressful thing to go through,
How awful!
I have absolutely no experience with this so take what I say with a grain of salt. I had major leg surgery to fix an issue with my knees. (Broke my tibia and drilled holes into my femur bone) In hindsight, I traded one set of problems for another. My new set of problems are worse than the original issues I had.
My question to your daughter would be how bad is the pain? My question to the doctors would be is the surgery expected to allievate all pain. What is best and worst case scenario but realistically what do the doctors expect in terms of function and pain.
Best of luck!
Sending you strength and sending your daughter healing thoughts.
It's not the same operation, but similar emotions: my stepdaughter had scoliosis and had an extendable rod inserted. It was lengthened a few times as she grew, but eventually, after it broke, they decided to put in the permanent rod. They judged her physical age based on x-rays of her hand which determined she had very little growth left in her future, so a fusion made sense. She might be a tad short-waisted, but no so anyone has ever noticed. Lots of people are like that just naturally. Think of Michelle Obama or Robin Roberts - long long legs, shorter torso (by comparison) - and they are both gorgeous.
You've done what you can do - several appointments and opinions, and you're going to alleviate her pain which is really important after this long a period of time. Hope it goes well and that she has a speedy recovery.
ETA: oh wow!!early arthritis?! I didn't know that! Again - I hope all goes well! I know you did not come to this decision lightly!!
_________________
Nope. this hasn't happened to my kids.
I don't know how I'd feel about stopping the growth of a bone. With technology the way it is, there isn't a way they can extend the ulna? We have people getting new hips and knees, they can't do the wrist? I realize there are tiny bones there - just like with the foot. but wow...
Good luck! I know this was not an easy decision for you to make! I hope all goes well and prayers for the surgeon to have a steady hand!
Sounds like you're doing the best thing you can do after exploring all the options available to you.
Good luck and I hope it all turns out well.
Whats your daughters thoughts on this? Is the pain something she can tolerate for a while? Can you hold off on the surgery for a while? You don't seem comfortable with this or aren't sure if you are making the right decision.
Talk to your daughter and husband. Go with your gut.
I don't have experience and none of my business but can you wait? My father had horrible back pain a long time. Not clear what was wrong. A wealthy friend got him into see a famous NYC back surgeon. He wanted to operate. Thank goodness one more doctor visit solved the problem. He needed a new hip! We still shudder at the idea he almost had unnecessary back surgery. I very much respect doctors but once she has this, is there no going back?
No experience here with that particular injury (fortunately!) but we've had our share of chasing down medical answers and having to make the best informed decision. I know what a hard and exasperating road it is and I wanted to tell you that my prayers are with you.
No experience with this, just hopeful thoughts that the surgery will go well and that your daughter will have less pain.
