The "Snakes" Got Wrists

Discussion in 'Health' started by SnakeCharmer, Aug 20, 2018.


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  1. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I went to a specialist this morning regarding the pain I have been having in my left wrist for the past 12 months (I'm a lefty). He looked at the x-ray, shook his head, walked over to the counter, opened a drawer and pulled out an ax. He turned to me and said "I'm sorry Snake, but we are gonna have to amputate, right here, right now." :eek:

    OK, let's start over...

    I've got Osteoarthritis forming at the base of my left thumb in my wrist. I knew that from the first set of x-rays taken a week ago when I saw my primary Doc. What I didn't know is that the joint is basically bone on bone. I was hoping for a cortisone shot so that I could get some relief but the specialist said, "let's slow down a bit here". He said that I should hold out as long as I could before we start with the shots. He put in a referral to PT to see if strengthening the thumb muscles might help with support. He also gave me a brace that immobilizes my thumb and he said to wear it as much as possible. My condition is a ticking time bomb, though. It will only get worse as time goes on from using my wrist/hand/thumb. But hopefully, immobilizing the thumb will slow it down a little bit. He said when it hurts at pain level of near 10 all the time, then he would start with the shots but he assured me that the shots are only a bandaid and that eventually, they would stop being effective or possibly not help at all. When that point is reached, it's time for surgery. :eek::gag: WHAT?! SURGERY?!!!

    What they do in this case is remove a small bone from the base of the thumb. The odd thing is that they do not place anything in the void. Scar tissue fills in and the pain is eventually reduced or ended. He also said that for the most part, use of the hand would be normal, within reason.

    Getting older sucks...

    IMG_5553.JPG

    IMG_5554.JPG
     
    Danimal, UPSed, Faust29 and 13 others like this.
  2. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    No bueno at all. My wife has that going on with her knees. She'll be getting new ones sometime in the next year.
     
    Faust29, herzalot, mike and 6 others like this.
  3. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    Sorry this is going on Snake :*( But I’m glad to hear that your doc is so conservative with bandaid treatments...that’s awesome IMO!
     
    Faust29, herzalot, mike and 5 others like this.
  4. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    You have pudgy fingers for a Snake, Snakes...:rolleyes:

    This is a bummer. :thumbsdown: Getting old does indeed suck! At least we can all get old together without any class or dignity! Lol!

    Diet can help. Glucosamine will help. I take a liquid Glucosamine for my shoulders and right knee.

    Keep you in prayer buddy!
     
    Faust29, LLPoolJ, herzalot and 6 others like this.
  5. konakc

    konakc iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    kc
    Hey snake c..
    I thought pt was a joke..
    But wow..the excercises have made a huge difference in my elbow..took some time though..
    Whatever u can do to keep riding..
    Those pt guys know what theyre doing..
     
    Faust29, mike, Danmtchl and 5 others like this.
  6. Voodoo Tom

    Voodoo Tom MTB Addict

    Location:
    Castaic
    Name:
    Tom Kokkinakis
    Current Bike:
    Mango one, black one, Ti one
    Sorry to hear this @SnakeCharmer. Obviously your doc doesn’t know a darn little thing about dropper posts. How the heck are you supposed to use the lever without using that thumb? If surgery is basically inevitable then why don’t they just fix it now? I agree with @Mikie on the natural stuff. My stepdad has been taking shark cartilage for years and he swears by it and still does what he enjoys even though he is an OG.
     
  7. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I know what you mean, I went through it for my left leg/knee in 2012. It does work, it does help. First appt is in early Sept.
     
  8. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Unfortunately, shark cartilage (Glucosamine) upsets my stomach. Chondroitin doesn't do anything for me. MSM did offer some relief as a joint lubricant but I stopped taking it a few years back. I have been dealing with this crap for about half of my life. But this thumb issue is the first time it's become persistently painful enough to where I could tell it had become serious.

    Thanks for the thoughts fellas!

    Oh, and the moment I shared this with one of my other buds, his first response was that I need to move the dropper lever to the right side, lol!!!
     
    Luis, herzalot, UPSed and 8 others like this.
  9. kioti

    kioti iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Jim Jennings
    Current Bike:
    ibis ripley
    Dr. Feelbad! A new Bond villain? "James, everyone breaks at 10."

    First reaction? Get a new doctor. Second reaction? Get a new doctor. Does this guy know you lead an active life--deep sea fishing, mountain biking..? Does he understand that proposing you voluntarily experience level 10 pain is unacceptable, and possibly unethical? My advice, go to a sports medicine doc and get a second opinion. Hopefully you'll get a shot and some relief.

    I had cortisone shots at the base of my left thumb for something like this. I'd sprained it countless times and eventually it was so weak, arthritic and painful I'd have a hard time working and even opening a car door. The shots were like magic and lasted 3 to 6 months, and for some reason I stopped needing them after a couple years. 8 years later, yes pushing the shifter or the dropper lever is not great, but the thumb is pain-free and strong enough for most activities.
     
  10. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    Snakeman, bummed to hear you have to deal with this. Stay hydrated and do what else you have to do. Here's to getting back to 95%!
     
  11. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    The first thing the doctor (a hand specialist) did was sit down and ask me in detail about my activities. He is a fellow cyclist who has worked with a handful of big named local roadies. He showed pics of the guys he's worked with. I heard of a few of them but since I don't follow roadie stuff, I couldn't tell you their names again. This is the way Kaiser Permanente handles this particular condition. I saw the x-rays. The contact point between the bones looks like two pieces of lava rock against each other. It's not pretty.

    I have been feeling a little extra sore in my problematic areas the last few weeks and it came up suddenly. It seems odd to me because this is usually triggered by weather changes but this Summer has has nothing but consistent as far as weather is concerned. I popped a horse pill tonight (MSM). It's time to start up on that stuff again.
     
  12. kioti

    kioti iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Jim Jennings
    Current Bike:
    ibis ripley
    ^^Does the doc know you're The Snake and therefore it's rather exceptional you'd be having wrist pain?
     
  13. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I guess not... :rolleyes::laugh:
     
  14. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Hey Snakes!
    We may want to move this all to a “Snakes Thumb Post”, none the less, here is what I have been using:
    30EBA961-67E5-428C-A10E-83B82FAB26CA.jpeg

    B5336DC6-309A-4C10-A0C7-C1577F783728.jpeg
     
  15. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Thanks Boss! I was unaware that this stuff was available in liquid form.
     
  16. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    All,
    @SnakeCharmer
    I moved this series of Posts to health as The Snakes deserves more than Derailed Thread attention...

    Carry On!
     
    Luis, kioti, Danmtchl and 5 others like this.
  17. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Thanks @Mikie!

    LOL, at the title! :laugh:
     
  18. OTHRider

    OTHRider Well-Known Member

    Name:
    Duke
    Current Bike:
    '18 Salsa Cutthroat
    Switch thumb with knees and that's me.

    My surgeon is a sports injury specialist and a friend since high school. He has been brutally honest with me. His advice mirrors two well know surgeons that I follow to keep current on knee/joint issues. " If you MUST have cortisone, I will give you a shot. I highly recommend NOT taking the shot. "

    For most people, the shot is indeed a poor Bandaid. Each successive shot is less effective in pain reduction (by reducing inflammation) and also wears off quicker - again, most people. Congrats to you Kioti.

    As I understand it, too many cortisone shots may have adverse affects on bone structure around the shot site. This becomes a liability during say, knee replacement surgery. One is "osteoporosis" - thinning of the bones. The other and less common is "aseptic necrosis" - the death of parts of bone.

    It certainly took longer for me to relieve my pain, but a standard anti-inflammatory diet, along with low-impact exercise, weight loss and dietary supplements "should" keep my bones in better shape for my replacement surgery and keep the pain level manageable.

    I don't run anymore (really can't), I don't mind only going upstairs once a day, and have no desire to be a pro anything other than a Dad. I want my surgery to have the best chance to succeed and be the last I will need - a SUPER KNEE will soon be mine - maybe around age 60......... <<Rant Off>>
     
    Luis, kioti, Danmtchl and 2 others like this.
  19. OTHRider

    OTHRider Well-Known Member

    Name:
    Duke
    Current Bike:
    '18 Salsa Cutthroat
    @Mikie - thanks for the liquid recommendation.
     
    Danmtchl, mountaingirl sara and Mikie like this.
  20. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    From a fellow lefty, I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Snake!

    I've been lucky so far with the joints, but my wife is going through it... And it ain't fun to watch. I hope you figure out what works for you and you can get a handle on it. And, just a thought... If you convert the new bike to single speed, as it should have been in the first place, you'll have more than enough room to move the dropper lever to the right side. :thumbsup: :whistling:
     
    Danimal, Danmtchl, Mikie and 4 others like this.
  21. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    Kudos to you for dealing with your knee pain naturally,... diet and exercise should always be our first remedy!
     
    Luis, OTHRider, Danmtchl and 2 others like this.
  22. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    964C27C2-8906-4825-976C-0FEFD1B428A8.jpeg This stuff is pretty great too! Costco actually sells it now which saves some $$
     
    Luis, Faust29, Danmtchl and 4 others like this.
  23. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    My doctor also suggested a steady course of anti-infammatories but I also happen to have GERD so that stuff (NSAIDs) is a no-no as far as taking it consistently. I only take it (for no more than 3 or 4 days at a time) if I am having severe back pain or a migraine headache.

    Thanks for your input! :thumbsup:
     
    OTHRider, Faust29, Danmtchl and 2 others like this.
  24. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    @OTHRider and @mountaingirl sara ,
    I moved your posts above from the Derailed Thread to here so it all stays together for the Snake-ster...
    :thumbsup:
     
  25. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    @SnakeCharmer - sorry to hear of these trials and tribulations, and pain....and frustration. I'll add you to the growing list of IMTBers who could use some positive vibes, thoughts, prayers, mojo and whatnot thrown your direction. Hope you find relief of some kind soon, and minimally invasive.
     
  26. hill^billy

    hill^billy iMTB Rockstah

    Thanks for the heads up, my wife and I snort that stuff on a regular basis, it’s pricey. Try to save some cash at costco. :thumbsup:
     
    Luis, -ROCKY-, Faust29 and 4 others like this.
  27. scan

    scan iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    fran allas
    Current Bike:
    Scott Spark
    Very common thumb condition, lotta pressure on that joint with many activities.
    First I hope youve been seeing a "board certified" hand doctor! Specialized for hand conditions.
    Surgery always the last option. There are a couple of surgeries they do, the one used on more active people is the ligament replacement tendon interposition (LRTI).
    I'll get back to you on a less restrictive brace that you can wear that allows more thumb use .
    Yeah try using the other hand more especially try to avoid strong pinching activities
     
  28. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    “Snort”:Roflmao:Roflmao:Roflmao
     
    -ROCKY-, Faust29, Danmtchl and 3 others like this.
  29. hill^billy

    hill^billy iMTB Rockstah

    Yah snake, Fran I think is a hand specialist he knows what he is talking about. Hope you get a handle on the problem.
     
    -ROCKY-, Old&InTheWay, kioti and 4 others like this.
  30. CBone

    CBone iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Antelope Valley
    Name:
    Tucker
    Current Bike:
    Intense Primer
    @SnakeCharmer I've heard a little Mojave Green venom can help if it is properly administered by natural dual curved hypodermic "needles". ;)
    In all seriousness, I hope your condition improves. Take care of yourself.
     
    OTHRider, LLPoolJ, Danmtchl and 3 others like this.
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


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