Torn ligament in wrist

[tom_h]

Anybody here ever have this happen to them? If so, how long did it take for recovery and was it 100% or reasonably close after?

I have a partially-torn palmar radioulnar ligament in my right wrist. I have been going for physical therapy for 7 weeks now. My orthopedist says it seems to be healing rather slowly. I felt like I was getting better a couple weeks ago, but this past week I feel like it's getting worse again. I'm concerned that I might have re-injured it. Obviously, I haven't been able to play guitar. Which has SUCKED. I did make a half-assed attempt at playing last week, while still wearing my brace, and I'm concerned that may have been what aggravated things...

oops.. meant to post this in Off-topic. Sorry!

 

[glassjaw7]

No torn ligaments, but I have a rock-hard cyst on the top my wrist that is extremely painful. Ive had it since 2004 Flares up once in awhile and cripples my hand up pretty bad.

Anything new with the band, Tom?

 

[tom_h]

Stop taking painkillers.

I haven't taken any at all. I can't. See below.

No torn ligaments, but I have a rock-hard cyst on the top my wrist that is extremely painful. Ive had it since 2004 Flares up once in awhile and cripples my hand up pretty bad.

Anything new with the band, Tom?

That sucks. I've been playing for well over 20 years and never had any serious issues with my hands until now.

Nothing really happening right now, not until I get my health back. I've been in and out of the hospital all summer. It started out with intestinal bleeding. Which was eventually diagnosed as acute self-limited colitis. In being treated for that, I was given several different types of heavy medications. One of them (an "antibiotic", that I later found out was originally intended as a chemotherapy drug) is what cause my wrist ligament to weaken and tear. I also have tendinitis in both arms and both ankles.

I was then (wrongly) diagnosed with "bladder/urinary tract infection" which I was prescribed another strong antibiotic for (at double dosage). Turns out I never had the infection, and the antibiotic caused a relapse of the colitis. Wound up back in the hospital. From that I also wound up with liver and gallbladder problems. The symptoms of which have just now started to settle down. This is the reason I can not take any painkillers. Not even Tylenol, Naproxin, or Ibuprofen.

So anyway, once I am healthy we will resume band activity. Until then, my time is pretty spent up in doctor's offices and hospitals.

To top it all off, I managed to dislocate my jaw tonight. I was able to close my mouth, but I don't think it went back correctly. I have pressure in my ears and my mouth opens at a slight angle. I went to the ER, but they told me to make an appointment to see an oral surgeon.

 

[Enjolras56]

PM sent

 

[tom_h]

Hey man,

Sorry to hear of all your health troubles. I can only imagine what it's like to have it limit your love of playing right now.

I make my living as a physical therapist. I need to state a disclaimer that I'm not here to diagnose or treat anything, just offering my 2 cents to a fellow player. Ligament injuries in general can be a bitch. Rarely ever see that type of tear. Did you fall on your wrist? Was it diagnosed via MRI or clinically? Compared to other tissues such as muscle, ligaments receive poor blood supply and therefore are much slower to heal. I would think that with also with this happening due to a systemic issue (the medication in your system that led to the ligament weakening) along with the other stuff your body is battling, that would only prolong the healing process.

I hope the Physical Therapy is of help to you.

Keep to goal in mind of healing and getting back to playing. I know it must be frustrating, but don't give up!

Thanks!

I did not fall or suffer any trauma to the wrist. That's another reason this has been so frustrating. The diagnosis was made with both MRI and clinical evaluation.

The PT was going well and seemed to be providing benefit until about a week and a half ago. Since then I feel that the pain has increased, leading me to believe I may have re-injured the wrist.

I have been dying to play. It's been torture! I'm very much looking forward to the day I can use my hands to create music again.

 

[chumbucket]

Nothing really happening right now, not until I get my health back. I've been in and out of the hospital all summer. It started out with intestinal bleeding. Which was eventually diagnosed as acute self-limited colitis. In being treated for that, I was given several different types of heavy medications. One of them (an "antibiotic", that I later found out was originally intended as a chemotherapy drug) is what cause my wrist ligament to weaken and tear. I also have tendinitis in both arms and both ankles.

I was then (wrongly) diagnosed with "bladder/urinary tract infection" which I was prescribed another strong antibiotic for (at double dosage). Turns out I never had the infection, and the antibiotic caused a relapse of the colitis. Wound up back in the hospital. From that I also wound up with liver and gallbladder problems. The symptoms of which have just now started to settle down. This is the reason I can not take any painkillers. Not even Tylenol, Naproxin, or Ibuprofen.

So anyway, once I am healthy we will resume band activity. Until then, my time is pretty spent up in doctor's offices and hospitals.

To top it all off, I managed to dislocate my jaw tonight. I was able to close my mouth, but I don't think it went back correctly. I have pressure in my ears and my mouth opens at a slight angle. I went to the ER, but they told me to make an appointment to see an oral surgeon.

I've heard about that happening with the antibiotic Cipro. People frequently tear their Achille's tendon after taking it.
Hope you feel better soon.

 

[RoidRage]

Tendons and Ligaments Heal VERY Slowly... Since there is no Blood Supply to them...

The older you are the slower they will heal or not heal completely at all.

My Advice is to take GH, and it will heal in 3 weeks. There are sympathedic Doctors who will prescribe it.

Also... If you ever have gall bladder problems again take Letchitin or phosphatidylcholine... And it will never bother you again.

Roid RAGE

 

[primerib]

I broke a carpal bone in my picking hand 3 months ago. I still have tendinitis pretty bad. Tendons and Ligaments heal slow. But I'm in my 40s now so it's slower than say a 20 yr old. Take your time with it.

And what the heck is GH?

 

[tom_h]

I broke a carpal bone in my picking hand 3 months ago. I still have tendinitis pretty bad. Tendons and Ligaments heal slow. But I'm in my 40s now so it's slower than say a 20 yr old. Take your time with it.

And what the heck is GH?

This "injury" is just a few days short of 2 months now. I'm 32. Hopefully it won't be too much longer. How long after breaking your bone were you able to start playing again?

I think "GH" Mr. Rage is referring to is Growth Hormone.

Tendons and Ligaments Heal VERY Slowly... Since there is no Blood Supply to them...

The older you are the slower they will heal or not heal completely at all.

My Advice is to take GH, and it will heal in 3 weeks. There are sympathedic Doctors who will prescribe it.

Also... If you ever have gall bladder problems again take Letchitin or phosphatidylcholine... And it will never bother you again.

Roid RAGE

Thanks for the suggestions/advise. I will look into these options.

I've heard about that happening with the antibiotic Cipro. People frequently tear their Achille's tendon after taking it.
Hope you feel better soon.

This was Levaquin. A very similar drug. From the same "class" of Fluroquinolone antibiotics, Levaquin being a 3rd class and Cipro being a 2nd class version.

For those that might be interested:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_ef ... quinolones
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinolone

I'd advise you all to beware of taking these drugs.



BTW, just got back from the oral surgeon. He believes that my jaw had dislocated due to (surprise, surprise) weakened ligaments. X-rays showed that my bone structure is okay, but movement of my jaw is "off-track". My jaw shifts position as it opens.

 

[The Hoff]

Haven't had one myself....good luck with your healing process. I would stop playing guitar completely-it'll be worth it once you're 100% again.