I spent some time with an orthopedic surgeon last week dealing with a recurring problem. I have bilateral tenosynovitis in my ring fingers. For those of you not up on your medical jargon, that's trigger finger. I had the same problem a year ago and it was treated with injections of solumedrol and that worked for about ten months and then the problem started again. The doctor that treated me last year said that this would happen again and that when it did, I should get right on it.
Lo and behold, here we are. This time, the problem is slightly worse and is making simple everyday activities like holding a pen, tying shoe laces, getting dressed, peeling vegetables, using a knife, holding a leash or reins problematic. The doctor I saw last week usually recommends a course of two injections before he recommends surgery but in reading my past history, knowing that I am a diabetic, post-menopausal, female he's much more inclined to cut to the chase and go to surgery. Oh, guess what else? This isn't just trigger finger, it's also carpal tunnel syndrome!! I have an appointment on 4/15 for an electromyogram study of my left wrist and directly after, I'll talk to the surgeon and get the lowdown on what his thoughts are and if we're looking at one procedure (trigger finger release) or two (trigger finger and carpal tunnel release).
I've studied both procedures ad nauseum (I'd be happy to assist if I wasn't the patient), the incisions don't bother me, nor does any possible scarring. I'm wondering if anyone else has had these procedures, how bothersome they were, what the short term recuperation time was (a couple of days?, three weeks?) and how long it took you to get back to feeling 100%. Not surprisingly, my concern has to do with the possible purchase of a new dog in the near future and I don't want to undo all the doc's good work by having my hand yanked by an exuberant youngster.
Any pearls of wisdom?