"I was playing football as part of a group of guys getting together for a 5-a-side after work. Trying to defend a shot on goal, the ball struck my hand and caused a significant amount of pain. Thinking it was something minor because I hadn't fallen on it (it was only a football at the end of the day), and the doctor thinking the same thing, I had just put ice on it and rested. After the swelling had subsided the wrist would click when using it and I had suffered sharp agonising pain when I instinctively reached out and grabbed my youngest daughter (1 at the time) from falling. 6-7 weeks later I still had pain and my wrist had restricted movement, which I then went back to the doctor and was then referred for an x-ray, which then showed I had ruptured my scapholunate ligament.
The care I received was excellent. Mr Kitsis ran through some of the scenarios and options depending on the scenario and clearly explained the next steps. On the day of the surgery, I was visited by Mr Kitsis before the surgery and he went through a few things and agreed I was going to be kept awake whilst the camera was inserted into my wrist to see what the situation is, and then to be put under general anaesthetic for the surgery. The camera revealed that whilst the cartilage was good, the bones had suffered irregular wear and that there were two options - removal of the scaphoid bone and bone fusion or proximal row carpectomy. Given the fact that I like to play bass guitar, Mr Kitsis advised that the Proximal Row Carpectomy procedure would be the better method as I would maintain the flexibility needed. He then advised that general anaesthetic would not be necessary if I was happy to proceed as we were. The anaesthetist sat next to me talking to try and keep me occupied during the surgery. After being stitched up and a cast put on, I was taken to the recovery room where the nurse was ensuring I was OK before being taken back to the room. I was to be kept in overnight and monitored and the nurses would pop in from time to time, ensuring I was taking my pain killers at the correct time and that I was comfortable enough. In the night, unable to sleep, I took a walk down the corridor and the nurses on the night shift offered to make me a hot chocolate to try and help me relax and sleep. In the morning the nurses brought the last dose of pain killers, explained what the next steps were, that I was to be sent home. A date was set for the stitches to be removed and I was given a prescription for additional pain killers. I felt the level of care given was very good and each time things were explained clearly to me. Mr Kitsis was very clear about the procedure, and the pro's and con's for both options.
Emotionally I was upset that the joint was not salvageable without the removal of bones or fusion, but understood the reasons why this was the case. We agreed that I would be kept awake during the investigation procedure with the camera and Mr Kitsis was clear with what he was seeing. I didn't mind being kept awake during the surgery, although it did feel weird knowing surgery was being carried out on my wrist but I was unable to feel anything at all. Others may have opted to be put under general anaesthetic. Recovery was fairly quick. The cast was only on for about 3 weeks before being removed and stitches taken out. A short visit to the physiotherapist later and I had a moulded plastic 'splint' that I was to wear for 3 more weeks before beginning physiotherapy. Recovery was going to be interesting as the physiotherapist had not come across the procedure I had before. She was surprised by some of the strength I had maintained but there was a long way to go to get movement back in. She was determined to get me maximum movement and gave me lots of exercises to do. I also invested in a gyroscopic powerball to aid my recovery.
Mr Kitsis is pleasantly surprised by how much movement I have managed to get back. Currently I don't have any pain, although I have it in the back of my mind still that I do need to be weary of this. The physiotherapist sold me a wrist protector that has a support on the front to wear when playing sports. I have even played in goal from time to time. I don't tend to play as much football now, but this is due to the lack of opportunities more than anything else. I have been able to play my Bass guitar and Electric guitar without any issues. My movement is less than my right wrist, but there's not too much in it, not to stop me from doing things anyway."