United Brachial Plexus Network

I had my cast taken off yesterday. 4 weeks after tendon transfer. I was ready for the cast to come off, but not ready for what I saw. I have 4 separate incisions and was not prepared for how big they were. And to think, he said this was the easy one, the hard one is coming up in about 6 weeks. I can already see improvment in my thumb, but I am terribly stiff and sore (and bruised) I might add. Therapy starts big time tomorrow. I know this will be worth it, but does it ever end?????

Kathy

Hi Kathy. Congrats on the cast removal. Slow and easy. How did your first therapy session go ??

Hi Kathy,
Robbie gets his cast off next Wed, that's 16 days after tendon transfer. He isn't looking forward to the stitches coming out. He will have to use dynamic finger splint for 4 weeks all day every day. his surgery was done in UK.
All the best with your PT. Hope all goes well. Since his op, Robbie can now feel his thumb. He couldn't since the accident.
Bye for now
Heather

Well my first OT visit has come and gone. I was not prepared for how stiff my hand is. The doc does not want me to bend ny wrist at all fo another 4 weeks. I am in a splint that I take off several times a day to try and stretch my fingers. Since I have limited sensation in my hand, I wasn't aware the cast was rubbing a blister on my thumb (right beside one of the incisions). The OT gave me some sort of jelly to put underneath the splint that will keep the blister from being rubbed. Hope everyone else is doing well with their transfers.

Kathy

Hi Kathy

I was only in pot for 1week and my fingers were realy stiff,I think its a lot worse for us to get them moveing again as not all the muscles are working to help,Im now 9 week post op and all the transfers are working great,but the fingers still tire and need a rest now and then,
Iwent back to work last week (construction)and have noticed my grip is not as strong, the first day i couldnt grip my shovel but after a week i can use it steadyly.
The best thing for me is that i used to feel clostrofobic becouse my hand felt restricted as if it was bound up ,but since the transfers its like all the bindings have been undone,does anyone else ever feel like this?

all the best karl

Hi, glad you're seeing benefits from the tendon trans - i found excercising my fingers in warm water helped a lot with the stiffness, obviously not before your doc/PT says its time to start and the stitches are totally healed though. Good luck!