I was unaware that the outcome of the infection that I had suffered from a previous procedure had caused the damage that it had. It was Mr Bhat who informed me of the total loss of cartilage within my hand and wrist, he showed me the X Ray results and we were all amazed. It confirmed to me the reasons that I had been feeling the intensive pain.
Mr Bhat broke the news to me at a visit to Gatwick Part Hospital. I was informed that it was my choice to have the operation, the pain I was experiencing was intense, and it could be the solution. Every time I moved my hand and wrist and if I was trying to do something with my hand that required me to use the fingers of my hand I was in extreme pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, I was suffering at least a 7 and sometimes 9/10. I pride myself on having a very high pain threshold but the intense episodes of pain were sometimes hard to bear.
I find taking pain killers quite difficult as they upset my stomach. I found Ibruprofen and paracetamol worked quite well for an hour or so initially but after a while even they didn’t soften the painful episodes. I cannot take any form of Codeine I was in pain constantly from November 2007 until I saw Mr. Bhat and he performed the surgery in January 2009. I was never given a diagnoses for the problem so when Mr. Bhat offered the opportunity to help me I was so relieved although of course I was extremely concerned and frightened.
The pain I had experienced before the operation was constant and it ranged from a dull ache to an intense pain.
I can honestly say that from the moment Mr. Bhat offered me the opportunity to have the operation, although I was concerned, I was so keen to live a ‘normal’ life again. A lot of the things I love to do were thwarted by the pain and discomfort in my hand and wrist.
I made the decision to have the operation as I felt that I had nothing to lose and I trusted the diagnosis of Mr Bhat and I felt he had got to know me well enough to be able to make the judgement that it would indeed change my life.
I was very nervous when it came to have the operation but I was looked after well and recovered quickly.
Every request made by me was considered and I felt the care was centred around me and all my previous worries. Mr Bhat and his team offered exemplary care in every possible way.
The procedure was quick and relatively simple. I came out of recovery feeling relieved and although the pain after the operation was evident, it was so slight if compared to the pain I had been suffering every day.
I was prescribed pain killers but I only took them for a few days. The cast was a little uncomfortable but it was a small price to pay for the lack of pain.
Within one week I felt so much better in myself and within 3 weeks I was absolutely fine. As soon as the cast was removed I quickly learnt to deal with everything in the way I had before.
It is very important to make sure you have a positive attitude to the situation and to the whole procedure. I can continue to help you with that.
Within 4 weeks I was driving and back at work.
I did have a few wobbly moments where I felt as though I had lost a limb, but they were few and far between.
I can honestly say that there is nothing I can’t do that I did before.
I do sometimes find that turning my hand to receive change in a store or sometimes cutting and holding a fork into a tough piece of meat is difficult but I have no other problems.
Most of my new friends wouldn’t even know that I ever had an operation. The scar is so small and neat and I look on it now as a part of my character.
After the operation I did receive 2 or 3 physio sessions which helped, but really just to receive the encouragement that it was all going well.
Since having the surgery in 2009, I never even think or refer to it, as my life is now totally normal. Naturally I had reservations and many sleepless nights but I have absolutely no regrets.
I will do whatever I can to encourage you through this time. Whatever you decide, please be assured that this operation will relieve the pain. You will have a small loss of use and you will feel for a short time that a part of you is taken away, then you will move on and see that it is a great release and a way back to living a normal life free from pain.
GS