Stage 3 in Wrist | Arthritis Information

I'm 57, and I suspect I injured my wrist over 10 years ago in the gym, at the time, I went to the hospital, they diagnosed it as a sprain, so I lived with it, now I find out it was a fracture, and now it healed incorrectly and I have stage 3 in my wrist. My doctor said I have 2 choices, live with it, (and the pain) or have a bone fusion done, However I play drums in a band and the doctor said I might not be able to ever play again if the surgery doesnt go well. and if it did, recovery would take a great deal of time, I wear a brace most of the time, I still work our in the gym, and it kills me after a work out, I don't want to change my life style, but it seems this may now have control over me beyond my means. anyone know if I have more options ???Thanks Garygary...are you seeing a hand surgeon?Look into wrist replacement. I just went to a lecture at the local hospital given by a hand surgeon and am considering it down the road.two good posts above

and I"d get a second on that opinion

Yes, I went to two wrist surgeons to get two opinions, both said same thing. I can't afford to be without use of my wrist for a long period. I never heard of wrist replacement sounds scary as hell, both surgeons said bone fusion is my only option if I went under the knife.

Tara

wrist replacements are not as advanced as other replacements yet so are not for everyone. there are a number of things that must be in place for them to be successful and heavy post op restrictions on type of use.

My wrist replacement is 2 years old - I can't do any repetitive motion and can't lift more than 5 lbs. I was a good candidate because I have good healthy bone-no osteoporosis osteopenia, the wrist wasn't dislocated and fingers relatively aligned, no ruptures in the soft tissue. Previous elbow and shoulder replacements showed I was committed to rehab and that I healed well