HI,
I believe contracture and capsular are the same or at least in the same family as far as surgeries go. I had 2 contracture releases of the elbow. The reason I had to have 2 was because the first one did not work. The reason for this type of surgery was I did not have any range of motion,could not use my arm at all. I had fractured my elbow and had to have some titanium replacement pieces inserted, the scar tissue grew and caused the contracture. It was not an easy surgery put the second surgeon I worked with did a great job got my arm back to about 90% function and if you did not see the scars or no what had happened you would not even know I had a problem. My limitations at this point is I have RSD in that area, I had it before I had the 2nd release done, I am limited to what I can lift and I can not pronate and supinate my hand fully. Pronate is palm down, subinate is palm up.
I will give you one piece of advise that I wish someone gave me contracture/capsulars are very tricky and needs a surgeon who has done it 1000 times in his career. The doctor who finally did the job correct only does contractures of the elbows his whole practice is centered around that, at least 80% of it. He was a hand surgeon and hand surgeons study extensively from the elbow down to the tip of the fingers.
Just to give you some other facts about the surgery: I was in the OR about 6 or 7 hours my hospital stay was 5 days. As my surgeon explained to me for the best possible results was to move the arm hours after surgery. In order to acheive that I had to have a continouse "interscaline block" to numb my arm so I could tolerate a CPM Machine, Continuous Passive Movement. That was also the reason for the long hospital stay the block could only be administered my an anesthiaologist and monitered quite often throughout the day.
I know this sounds like a lot and it was but the result was excellant I had a short period of PT maybe 2 months 3 times a week and it was over.
Again, I can't stress enough about having the correct doctor for this type of procedure. What part of the country do you live in? Maybe I can refer someone. Good Luck.
Gabbycakes
Quote:
Originally Posted by suz66
Hi: I have had RSD for 10 months; in that time, I have had 3 nerve blocks (didn't work), a MUA of my rt. shoulder and constant PT/OT. I direct the children's choir at my church and play the piano.....or used to anyway. I am predominantly rt handed and have had to relearn to write with my left. I fractured my rt elbow and developed RSD in my entire rt hand and arm. Once the doctor numbed my arm and did the MUA of my shoulder, I began to improve. Now my doctor says that I won't get anymore use of my hand without surgery. I can bend my finger tips, and my mp joints. The doctor wants to do a capsular release of my pip joints (no bend) soon. I am allergic to most pain meds and am concerned about the outcome of this procedure. Has anyone had this surgery and/or knows of the pros and cons? I have been told that my RSD could recur with the surgery, but won't get anymore use without it. I will never make a fist with my rt hand again, but I may get my grip back, if all goes well. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Suz |