Finger update....

[coopersmom]

I finally got to see the Hand Specialist on Monday and had an initial assessment with a Hand Therapist yesterday and the news isn't so great in terms of my finger returning to normal function. I initially injured the finger back in August when it got tangled in Coopers leash when he was spooked by a loose dog.
Apparently right from the moment I broke it I had three strikes against me. First one being the little finger is the hardest finger to treat, second the joint I injured (pip joint) is the most unforgiving of the joints in the hand to injure and thirdly the break extends into the pip joint. I have lost the joint space in my pip joint and the joint is now bone on bone and the bone is jagged and rough. The top joint in that finger is also damaged with lost joint space, but no fracture. I have decreased range of motion, unable to straighten or bend the finger and we are going to try and work on fixing it, but I have to decide how much pain I can take versus how much movement I want back. From what I am told, the pain will never go away as the two ends of the bone are rubbing on one another. Unfortunately there is nothing surgical that can be done at this time, I am not a candidate for a joint replacement as I am too young and they don't replace joints in little fingers because the finger is too unstable because it only has a finger on one side of it. My one option is to have the joint fused if I cannot tolerate the pain. I asked if there could have been anything done differently and I was told that when I broke it I should have been placed in a traction splint that would have helped save my joint space and then they would may have been able to shave the rough end of the bone down and possibly returned my hand to normal function with less pain. Hindsight is 20/20 though, doesn't help me now, but I was curious.
So I have 5 exercises I am doing 5 times a day along with a flexion splint that I apply for 30 minutes 3 times a day in hopes of at least getting my finger to touch the palm of my hand in a fist position. In a couple of weeks she will add a splint to be worn a night that extends my finger. This will only be done if I am tolerating the exercises and splint I am doing right now. So far so good, and I am going to try and suck it up and work as hard as I can.
I must admit that after my appointment yesterday I just wanted to cry, I never really considered that this could be a permanent thing, I just keep saying it could have been worse...
On a positive note I have truly enjoyed being part of the Lab Board Christmas Card Exchange and getting the cards in the mail certainly is putting a smile on my face and am very thankful for this forum.
Merry Christmas to all my fellow lab lovers!!!
Michelle

[kelsyg]

I sympathize! I had a spiral fracture in my forefinger trying to unleash eager dogs at the gate to the doggy park!
Now, after surgery, (a pin and 4 screws inserted ) l my finger will never work right again. The surgeon said to me " if I had a dollar for every dog related injury..."
Merry Christmas to you, too!

[Laura]

I'm surprised that they won't consider a PIPJ replacement in a small finger. I know I've seen it done before. I would rather have a replacement than an arthrodesis personally, and would probably try to get a second opinion if possible.

[Jollymolly]

I hope you can get a second opinion. It would be nice if it could be fixed. Or at min out of pain.

[POPTOP]

Both my brother and father had finger injuries and as time went on, both had limited mobility in the finger. Hope the treatments and exercises you are doing are helpful.

[Snowshoe]

Oh my gosh. I never would have guessed such a little body part could cause so much trouble. The pain factor sounds very unpleasant. Hope you can get a more favourable second opinion.

[Georgie]

Hoping all goes well!

wishing you a merry Xmas, too!

[bett]

I'm surprised that they cant do any surgery to correct it now. when cory broke his finger, also shattered and in the joint, they did a bone graft from his wrist . now, after the cast is finally off, his finger looks swollen, crooked but dr said , with OT it should be almost perfect . like i think 85% or something like that. it wasn't a walk in the park, especially since he's on the computer all day and they had to make a couple of different removable casts after the big cast came off (i mean, it was a pinkie and nearly up to the elbow)
he also had pins, that had to come out in the hospital . not fun but he lived.

i'd consult another ortho surgeon.

[Maxx&Emma]

Wow, what a nightmare! If nothing else your story has prompted me not to wrap a leash around my hand any more. I really hope you are able to get some range of motion and pain relief.

[Dallas dawg]

Jeez, I hope something works out for ya.