Hello, I started having problems about 2 years ago got diagnosed with carpal tunnel both hands and now minor cubital tunnel and im a mechanic. Anyway I was about to be scheduled for the left carpal release when i aggravated my left hand somehow so i get an MRI/x rays and i have the SL gap so the doc does an all in one carpal tunnel release, scope, finds the SL is pretty much not there and takes a part of tendon from my forearm to replace it. that was in February, then did a couple months twice a week physical therapy for it after i got out of the cast.
So now the new SL has stretched and my hand is unstable again, i asked the doc if it was something i did and he said there's no way to really know, could of done it itself. Has anyone had any kind of similar situation? My hand doctor did not suggest anymore surgery at this time, all i have found online other than trying to do the same thing again, is having a fusion and honestly " reduces pain, increase strength " is tempting to me I've already lost over half of my ROM and the only time its not painful is when i don't use the hand at all, Should i push for a fusion? If i'm going to need it done anyway at some point I cant ignore that it could very well make the difference between getting DOD 0 or 10 percent or at least 30. Sure i have the carpal/cubital tunnel and several other issues but i'm not betting on them being unfit.
I have not started MEB officially yet, i have another appointment on the 13th to make my permanent profile to document my limitations better since i found out about my hand still being broken, and suggestions from you guys. I need to figure it out because i am in Okinawa Japan and it will take at least 6 months to a surgery date. I have already talked to the hand doc about MEB and he's on my side for documenting it as unfit basically. He seemed like he was disappointment with himself that the surgery did not work. i don't know if he just did not want to tell me what the next step is yet or because it would be too soon to do anything or if he thinks it could still heal but i'm tired of the pain/surgeries and i refuse to end up having to have the fusion done anyway someday by the VA and lose benefits because everyone has this best outcome possible while it just gets worse.
So now the new SL has stretched and my hand is unstable again, i asked the doc if it was something i did and he said there's no way to really know, could of done it itself. Has anyone had any kind of similar situation? My hand doctor did not suggest anymore surgery at this time, all i have found online other than trying to do the same thing again, is having a fusion and honestly " reduces pain, increase strength " is tempting to me I've already lost over half of my ROM and the only time its not painful is when i don't use the hand at all, Should i push for a fusion? If i'm going to need it done anyway at some point I cant ignore that it could very well make the difference between getting DOD 0 or 10 percent or at least 30. Sure i have the carpal/cubital tunnel and several other issues but i'm not betting on them being unfit.
I have not started MEB officially yet, i have another appointment on the 13th to make my permanent profile to document my limitations better since i found out about my hand still being broken, and suggestions from you guys. I need to figure it out because i am in Okinawa Japan and it will take at least 6 months to a surgery date. I have already talked to the hand doc about MEB and he's on my side for documenting it as unfit basically. He seemed like he was disappointment with himself that the surgery did not work. i don't know if he just did not want to tell me what the next step is yet or because it would be too soon to do anything or if he thinks it could still heal but i'm tired of the pain/surgeries and i refuse to end up having to have the fusion done anyway someday by the VA and lose benefits because everyone has this best outcome possible while it just gets worse.