Here I sit at the Orthopedic Institute waiting for the hand doctor....... over an hour late.

Dwight, whazzamatter with the hand?

I have Basal Joint Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands.

The bone on bone contact (arthritis) in the Basal Joint is the cause of most of the pain. The Carpal Tunnel is a secondary concern.

I have been putting up with the pain for a long time. Steroid injections work, but they wear off in a few weeks so I decided it is time to get the surgery done.

Since they are slicing and dicing in the general vicinity of the Carpal Tunnel that will be taken care of at the same time. Two procedures at the same time for the price of two separate procedures (discount, what discount?) .

Surgery number one (left hand) is on October 11. The right hand will be scheduled when the left hand has recovered sufficiently so that I can do what I need to do. They say 6-8 weeks up to as much as 12 weeks to reach that point.

There is a lot of physical therapy required to get the thumb back to full functionality. I intend to outperform and be ready for surgery number two in 5-6 weeks.

Good luck. Don't push it too much. Recovery takes as long as it takes.

I photographed Frankenfoote the day of my only other surgery. It was shortly after Gail brought me home. 8 weeks later I was on the treadmill.

Recovery time depends on the individual. For me it is as soon as possible.

I didn't need to see your nasty old foot again!!!

Sorry to hear about the upcoming surgery. So, how will you be interfacing on-line?

Don't over-do the therapy...you could do more harm if you push too hard!

Holy good Lord, my foot hurts just looking at that picture! Get better man. Phew!

I've read that in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, there is a 25% chance of a sympathetic response. Having a release on one hand somehow relieves the other as well. I happened to be among the 25%.

Pretty grim-looking foot. Not a lot of humor there.

I have tendonitis in both arms. I'm not enjoying it.

As a person ages stuff starts to wear out, shrink, or otherwise degrade. Being above the grass beats the alternative, though.

So, Dwight, are you inventing some type of voice activated keyboard so you can stay on the Forum after hand surgery?? I think you must surely have the necessary components out in your garage??

Jesus! What did you do, dangle your feet in the pond and let one of the Pike get it?

OUCH!

How long ago was that??

Recovery time depends on the individual’s healing ability. Sunil is right - Don't over-do the therapy...you could do more harm if you push too hard! Let’s hope Dudley’s good luck rubs off on you - there is a 25% chance of a sympathetic response. Having a release on one hand somehow relieves the other as well. I happened to be among the 25%.

Good luck with the surgery! I'm sure Tan can post for you and keep us updated!

I use voice recognition quite often. That is how I am typing this now. Hands free other than an edit here and there.


Read and visualize all about it at: Frankenfoot


Thanks I am sure Tan will do his best at running the office.

Dwight, I'm glad to hear that it was "elective" and not due to tangling with something you shouldn't have.

After reading about it, I'm not going to complain about dropping a 2"x6"x10' on the top of my sandaled foot........

As my 87 year old grandfather says, it's a bear to get old, the other option ain't too hot though...

I prepped the Barge and put all the gear away for winter this afternoon. It was odd doing that on an 80 degree day. The circulator is installed and tested.

The Barge is moored lengthwise for winter so I can still get my weekly observation data without drilling any holes in the ice. The water is 10 feet deep out there on the end.

Like a good Boy Scout !

Peaceful at Bremer Pond - and still green.

On for surgery tomorrow morning, yippee!!!

I'll post a photo if I come out the other end of general anesthesia. It will be difficult to top the Frankenfoote photo, though.

Best wishes with the surgery Dwight!

" It will be difficult to top the Frankenfoote photo, though.."

Don't try. No, really, don't try!!!

Good luck, Mabro!

Generally, surgery is only tough on the surgeon. The patient plays his role in recovery.
Have a speedy and uneventful recovery, Dwight.

We'll be thinking of you, Dwight. Hope all goes smoothly for ya!

Surgery went well.

I am OK, though still a little whacked out from the anesthesia.

On the cutting board @ 0930 home by 1400.

Sorry no Frankenhand photo. There is cast on it.

Good news ! Rest up Dwight - and take time to parent those cats.

Great news, Dwight! Glad it went well. Just curious, though - how do we tell when you are no longer a little whacked out, because I kinda thought that was one of your hallmarks!

Thanks for the update, Dwight. As with Todd, the whacked-out definition had me a little concerned.

Glad to hear you're back with the typists!!...(or whatever new technology you've come up with)

Get well soon Dwight.

It took 6 days of trying to get off the prescription pain medications to actually get off them. I hate taking those dam things.

10 days without beer or cocktails is even worse.

So what is the situation now ?

Cast comes off on the 26th of October at which time physical therapy will start.

And now that he's off the RX meds, he can self-medicate with beer and mixed drinks!

Some times it is good to state the obvious for those less aware of the healing properties of Beer. Thanks Todd.

I am well versed in those properties, both personally and professionally! And oh what qualities they are!

Cool Healing?

Yes.

Good deal, Dwight. Thank goodness for those nutrients in your barley pop.

Just don't step on a pop top.

Or blow out a flip flop.

but it is ok to just cruise on back home.

Cast came off today. Doc says it all looks great including the X-rays.

I don’t think it looks so great but you can be the judge of that.

Check out the latest brace color. They just got it in yesterday, so I figured go with it.

I am in charge of my own physical therapy with three levels of activities over the next month. My next appointment will then determine if I am ready to schedule the right hand……

After the first pic, I thought there's no way this can be worse than the picture of your 'venison-pastrami' looking ankle.

Then, I scrolled further down.

Ok, ok, it's not as bad as the ankle, and the brace really suits your personality, and love of cats.

Seems like your problem involved more than a carpal release.

Hey -- that is just unfair! Venison pastrami, besides being delicious, is also a thing of beauty.

Dwight's seriously mutilated extremities are . . .

Yuck!

Anyway, Dwight -- we are glad you are healing fast. How's your bride doing?

That is ugly and quite apish looking - like road kill. IMO just as bad as the foot.

I can not in good conscious compare it to any food let alone any of Cat's creations.

Best of luck with the rehab.

"Hey -- that is just unfair!"

I know, I know...I love the pastrami, but something about the ankle...the color....a shade of purple...it just reminded me of cured meats.

30 days after surgery.

Looking better. How's the range of motion? Any after effects?

I still have quite a bit of PT to do yet, but the range of motion is similar to the other hand already. It will be a while before I can talk about after effects, but so far, all is good.

That's good news!

Good news - keep at it.

The final appointment(on the left hand) was on November 23.

The Hand Guy was impressed with the progress on my hand which I attribute to religious dedication doing the physical therapy exercises.

The left hand is now actually stronger (grip-wise) than the right one. Range of motion is equal to the right hand except for touching the thumb tip to the palm of the hand just below the little finger. I have about a half an inch of work to do there.

I have approval to start working it out on the Bow-flex and other workout room devices.

Surgery on the right hand is set for December 19, just in time for Christmas.

Great news Dwight. Thanks for the update.

That's great news! I hope the next surgery goes just as smoothly.

Good news ! Hope the next one goes as well.

Dwight will be picking his nose under the cover of darkness, in no time at all, with both hands! Way to go Dwight

Freak.

On the cutting board @ 7:30 tomorrow.

Stay strong, Mabro!

Good luck and best wishes !

Yikes, better keep up the tough-guy routine!! Best wishes.

Here's to this surgery going as well as the last one.

Here's hoping for successful surgery and quick recovery!

Heard from Dwight. He is done with the sugery, and it went well. He may be off the PBF for a day or two.

But hopefully not the PBR..........

Stick, I'm very surprised that he did not have a laptop set to the PB Forum over his head DURING the surgery. Seriously, thanks for the udpate.

Maybe he didn't have any available after he put one on his aerobic device.

Thanks for the good news !

Cast 2 coming off today. 8 days instead of 16 days last time.

Heck they knew if they did not take it off then you would break out the tools and do it yourself.