Ralf's disease course
On June 13th, 2005 I received an email with Ralf's illness. This email was released on June 16, 2005 for publication on this page. A big thank you to Ralf for this. And this is it:
Hi monika
Got your mail, thank you.
I don't know how the LM disease developed in my left hand. That I did not take early warning signals (as early as 1989) seriously is correct. I explain to myself how this illness came about: I have a lot of manual work on my house dgf. done by the roofing, walls, tiling, painting, etc. by yourself. Since I come from Ossiland, everyone knows that there were no work aids worth mentioning (such as Hilti, cordless screwdrivers, etc.). All work equipment had to be moved with the force of the wrist, for example. 1991 a new job (I'm a chemical master), now I live with my family in Bavaria (no work on the house) no major handicaps. So far so good, but I'm a keen angler and in 2002 the pain was unbearable. Most of the time, the pain was activated when I was handling the fishing rods (I'm left-handed) and for a while I was able to calm the situation down with a pain pill. But the way to the family doctor was only a matter of time.
In my blood tests, I was always in the upper range for the permissible uric acid values and, in the opinion of the family doctor, this was the cause of the pain in the joint. I then go to an orthopedic surgeon on my own. After x-rays, CT and magnetic resonance imaging, it was clear what was going on.
My orthopedic surgeon referred me to a hand surgeon. When I asked my orthopedic surgeon whether the hand surgeon was good, he replied: "I would also have the hand surgeon operate on me." This took away 90% of my fear. The question of how is it going remained. By then it was already August 2003.
The hand surgeon arranged to take the control recordings of the hand, then came the sobering evaluation - LM in the 3rd stage.
First measure: immobilization of the left for 6 weeks. Hand with a splint (orthosis made of plastic) was also explained to me: this is just an attempt, the chances are slim. This plastic splint was made so that I can put it on and off using Velcro to immobilize the forearm and hand. This was the first attempt to reorganize the lunar bone.
Investigations again in October, the results devastating ... no improvement, but it didn't get worse either. I asked to wait until May 2004 and continued to wear the splint.
Another examination: surgery is necessary. On July 28th, 2004 I had an operation, bone material was transplanted from the iliac crest. In the recovery room the hand surgeon told me that the rest of the lunar bone was still solid bone and with that he awakened great hope in me. Even the hand surgeon hadn't expected that.
In July 2005 I have to go to my surgeon again, he too wants to know what happens next - he is with me.
Since January 30th, 2005 I have been able to work again, but I don't use my hand wherever possible. The li. Not using your hand is only possible if you splint it or tie it tightly. It is only with this disability that you notice how the hand is missing. When I go to sleep - my surgeon advised me - I should use the orthosis made in 2003 because you bend your hands in your joints when you sleep - I have to say: he's right.
What is pain due to the deterioration of the bone condition or what is sensitivity to the weather? I can't answer it, sometimes I have pain, sometimes I don't. I think my surgeon is a professional and the way my body wants it will help me, everything else is in my hands. I can go fishing again painlessly and if I don't overdo it with work and hobbies, I will - I believe - be able to live for many years without further surgery.
Hello fellow sufferers
I know there are worse cases than mine and I don't want to trivialize this disease. I just wanted to describe what my thinking and my feelings are in my situation.
I can only say to all those who are worse off ... there are worse things.
I'll be in touch in July 05 after the examination.
Goodbye Heimlich, Ralf
