Surgery Recovery: Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy PART EIGHT

Here is part 8 of my ulnar shortening osteotomy video recovery series. This video was taken 4 months after my 2nd surgery.
Please keep in mind that I am only a patient and just making these videos to share my experience, so the things I say may not be 100% medically accurate.
Thanks for watching!

[@abandavierwala7417]

Hi Kayla, I'm having this surgery on my right wrist in 10 days and your videos are so helpful, thank you for sharing your experience. I hope my recovery doesn't take so long, my doctor said osteotomy takes atleast 5 months.

[@tracyhollmon2456]

I am supposed be having this surgery in about two weeks. i am a little nervous but hopeful that I can go on to make a full recovery back to work and life how is was before. I am thankful for your video it helps

[@sumisu7458]

I'm going to have this surgery next month. Got pain in both wrists. I'm not afraid of the surgery. I'm really afraid of the pain after. I'm lucky that my (discus?) cartilage is still intact. I hope you get your full mobility back. Your scar is already looking well faded and faded. All the best and thank you for your videos. Greetings from Germany!

[@kaylamekler1536]

I hope you aren't having both arms done at the same time! The pain got better for me:) thanks for your comment, good luck!

[@jo83au]

Its been 8 months since my surgery.. i get bone pain when the weather changes and its cold. I still get aches as though i have over used the muscles. Im glad you have full movement of your wrist. Mine is still restricted but we think that just due to stuff pre-surgery... but i am soooooo very glad that i had the surgery.

[@kaylamekler1536]

I get pain with the weather changing too. I'm still having some slight pain and aches, but it's not as bad as it was before surgery. I had the first surgery in June 2019 and in some ways I'm still recovering. It takes a long time! Good luck with your recovery!

[@yanickdaniels807]

Hi Kayla, since your last post, how are you feeling with your mobility? And pain? I’ve been teetering for two years now about the surgery only because I saw the recovery rate was concerning. I tripped over my Lab on the stair landing open hand on my wrist. Your video posts has been very informative and helpful. By far the most informative that I have found within the two years have been searching. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@ThaliaGuedes1]

Hi, I found your channel, I'm from Brazil, my name is Thalia, I had the same surgery as you and I've been recovering for 24 days, how long did it take for you to be able to perform arm supination? I still can't turn it

[@Gamer_1696]

I've had this surgery like 5 months ago. They told me they're not taking the metal plate out, they only take the plate out if it's causing issues, mine still hurts and pops. It's a lot better then it use to feel and I can somewhat do push up now but not like I used to. I'm currently in the military and im afraid if this doesn't heal 100% that they're going to kick me out 😪 plus this isn't counted as a military related injury so I won't get VA disability, plus my doctor doesn't even check on me, its like he just started ghosting me. Last time I talked to him, he said my bone is healed and I just have to build my muscle back up and everything will go back to normal. This was my first surgery and I swear I hope I never have surgery again because it's hard to work or do anything and then end up struggling in life

[@kaylamekler1536]

I'm sorry you're having a bad experience! It's been a long time since I had the surgery and I'm finally able to do push ups again. I'm still working on building my arm and wrist strength back up. It's weird that they aren't removing your plate, but I guess that's good that you won't have to have another surgery. I wish you the best with your recovery!

[@ritasturges8742]

Get a new doctor. I was having high bone pain from my hardware. Surgeon removed it all 9 months post 1st surgery.

[@jamesb4716]

Hello, good to hear you’re just about finished with full recovery. I’ve been watching your videos and they’re really helpful, I’m planning on going through with the ulnar shortening in 6 weeks since I have a tfc tear and ulnar positive variance that’s been causing me pain for years and PT hasn’t done anything. I was wondering if you’ve ever had any Radial (thumb side) wrist pain or any elbow pain as a side effect of the injury before (and after) the surgery ?

[@kaylamekler1536]

Hi! So I really haven't had any elbow pain (besides after wearing a cast and having to get my range of motion back.) But the pain did stretch into my hand. Not necessarily into my thumb, but my upper hand. I hope that helps!

[@michaelanshus]

james how are you doing now?

[@jamesb4716]

@@michaelanshus Right now I’m doing therapy, since the surgery I’ve started feeling less pain but I have very little strength, I can only lift like 5 pounds. Every week is a little better though.

[@michaelanshus]

@@jamesb4716 thanks for the update! How was trying to turn your wrist after getting out of long cast? I seem to be hexing like a sprain type feeling when trying to turn....this surgery is a process crazy my doc didn’t make it seem like it would be that bad

[@jamesb4716]

@@michaelanshus It was difficult for a while but now I’m starting to be able to get close to normal rotation from before surgery, not there yet though. They didn’t put me in a full cast, they put me in some type of newer cast that reminded me of what a snowboarding boot with Boa laces but for your wrist.

[@ritasturges8742]

Hi. I watched your videos. I also had an ulnar shortening osteotomy with TFCC debridement and my ulnar nerve moved at my elbow. I am 6 weeks out of having the hardware removed. How is your arm now??? I'm worried that my pain will never go away

[@deanmcallister4167]

How are you at this point? I’ve just had the surgery yesterday. I’m 50 and have also had both hands done for carpal tunnel. All of this likely from weight lifting for 30 years. I love to work with my hands and play guitar and want to continue weight lifting so I had to take the risk. Hope you’re doing well

[@jasonkramer6212]

Great videos! Motorcycle accident new radial head replacement and now ulnar shortening in two weeks. Knowing now would you have left plat in?

[@kaylamekler1536]

I'm happy to have the plate out. The area is still sensitive this far along (mostly when I accidentally bump it) but the plate definitely made the area more sensitive. Good luck with your surgery!

[@jademuntz]

I’ve had this and now only have pain where the metal is. Anyone else have issues with the metal causing issues?

[@arthursimsa9005]

I would hope there is still room for improvement! You’re still only a few months post-surgery.

[@kaylamekler1536]

Thank you! I'm definitely working on it :)

[@pops1pops178]

How come you did 2 surgery

[@oliviabrock975]

When they decided to do the surgery, was your ulna visibly longer than your radius on the X-ray? I severely sprained my wrist 10 months ago and we’ve tried everything but the tears won’t heal. In my X-ray my ulna is wayyy longer than the radius and almost touching one of the bones in my wrist. They said my only option is to do this surgery or things could get much much worse over time. They made it all seem like a breeze because I’m only 25, but after watching your videos I’m much more nervous 😬

[@kaylamekler1536]

Oh no I'm sorry my videos made you more nervous! I made them to share my experience and hoped they would help people know what to expect. Yeah, my ulna was definitely too long on my x-rays. You could see it when comparing the x-rays of my left and right arms. I won't sugar coat it...this surgery is not a breeze. I had wrist pain today because I pushed something too hard. I don't know if that will ever really go away. But it's better than it was before the surgery so there's that!

[@michaelnelson5474]

Hey Kayla, I just watched your video. I also have just found out that I have an ulnar positive variance as well, I'm starting to do conservative treatment first. I wanted to ask if you also had the option to do an arthroscopic wafer procedure for this problem, unless your variance was to big that the osteotomy was better? I do a lot of weightlifting so I'm limited to what I can do for now. If you did have the choice between the two, what made you choose this option over the other? Thanks.

[@kaylamekler1536]

So my doctor said he could just try to fix the TFCC tear, but since my ulnar bone was too long it would likely happen again, especially since I was doing martial arts that definitely made it worse. So, I decided I might as well just do the full surgery, because I didn't see the point in dragging it out and having more surgeries procedures done than necessary. I hope that helps!

[@michaelnelson5474]

It does, thanks for the response👍

[@1JBJrules]

I am having this done 12/28/21 - been doing conservative treatment for over 15 years…it’s time and it’s not going to get better - only worse…

[@ceebs_97]

I was looking for pics of post op scars when I came across your videos! I had my surgery a year ago and would love to talk to someone else about it. Is there a way I could email or message you??

[@kaylamekler1536]

Sure! Feel free to give me your number or email or whatever you're comfortable with and I'll message you!

[@doctorpotterhead]

Mine is next week, do you have any tips for the recovery? I'll have my wife there too help but we also have a toddler.

[@kaylamekler1536]

Make sure you have time off for at least a few days after surgery. I was super drowsy. You'll probably sleep the first couple of days...the biggest thing is be patient with yourself. I needed a LOT of help. A lot. And make sure you do all of the therapy at a really slow pace. Don't overdo it even though it feels like an eternity. I'm STILL trying to build up my strength, and I was fully cleared the beginning of January. It's been 1.5 years and my arm is still noticeably smaller than the other. The main thing is to have a good mindset about it, because at times it does suck, but if you have help you'll have a much better time. Good luck with your surgery!

[@doctorpotterhead]

@@kaylamekler1536 thank you so much!

[@michaelanshus]

Did you have pain when trying to supinate when you first started out? How is your pain now?

[@kaylamekler1536]

Before surgery it wasn't really difficult to move my forearm. After, it just felt tight and I had to stretch it a lot. My pain now overall is much better, not perfect though. I still struggle with my wrist some days.

[@michaelanshus]

@@kaylamekler1536 how much can you lift and overall are you able to live pain free? Thank you this surgery sucks

[@kaylamekler1536]

@@michaelanshus I'd say overall, I'm mostly pain free. I'm definitely still in the strengthening phase. I was released to resume full activity at the beginning of this year and I've been working out, but I'm still pretty weak arm/wrist wise, and some things still "hurt" like push ups, lots of pressure upon extension, etc. Lifting wise, I don't really have a number...but I'm building back a lot of strength. Hope that helps!

[@dr.ravigupta1838]

How is your wrist now??

[@kaylamekler1536]

It's usually okay! Sometimes I still have pain after working out, but it doesn't last too long.

[@dr.ravigupta1838]

@@kaylamekler1536 Its good to hear from a person who has undergone the procedure. Currently I am being diagnosed with Old Healed Tfcc. If in future my tfcc tears again. Then i think i will have to undergo ulnar shortening procedure too. So its good hear back from you. Regards.

[@kaylamekler1536]

@@dr.ravigupta1838 Good luck with everything!

[@user-wb3md5gh3o]

heyy.. can u write???

[@kaylamekler1536]

Yes I can! I'm right handed though and my left wrist had surgery. I can type and do most things, though