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My son is having surgery for a rare sports injury.

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hlmr

hlmr

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Oct 21, 2004
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My 12 year old son is having surgery on Wednesday morning. Due to a sports injury, he needs repairing of his volar beak ligament, which is directly responsible for all opposable thumb movement.

The surgeon who is performing the surgery has only done so once before, on an adult. It is an extremely rare injury and I am wondering if anyone else out there has had this done or had someone they know go through this repair?

I''m a bit nervous to say the least.

Thanks for any info you can give me.
 
Geez I''m so sorry to hear this.
I don''t know of anyone with this injury. How did it happen?

I hope all goes well.
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Thanks so much Nan. It is always painful to watch your son have to undergo any surgery.....I know you totally understand this!

It was an injury in gym class back in September....he fell and caught himself with his right hand and a fracture took place at this point at the base of his thumb (although we did not realize this until weeks later.
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He played many volleyball and hockey games with this injury. We all thought he was healing...the pain went away but his thumb was not healing properly.

He was casted for six weeks over the Christmas break in hopes that his ligament would fall back into place as the fracture healed, but unfortunately this did not work. The fracture healed but the ligament was still completely popped out of place. They will remove a tendon from the underside of his forearm to repair this vital ligament. He will be casted for 3 months after and then have to undergo physiotherapy.

I am hopeful he will be fine, but I sure wish I knew more about this and that I could do it for him. His surgeon is ''the specialist'' with only one similar (adult) surgery under his belt.
 
wishing you and your son well...and a speedy recovery
 
Thanks so much diamondfan!
 
I am praying for a speedy recovery for your son, sounds like he''s in good hands. I know it''s scary, have been through surgery''s with Ash. Kids are so resilient, it''s just us mom''s that are wrecks.
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Hang in there Heather!!!
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Gosh, I am sorry. Keeping you in my prayers.
 
I hear you Lisa! I am sure all will be well, but it is in a mother''s nature to worry and worry some more.

Thanks for your support!
 
Thanks Skippygirl! I appreciate your kindness.
 
thoughts and prayers for your son''s recovery and the surgeon''s skill.
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Date: 3/31/2007 1:04:29 AM
Author: crown1
thoughts and prayers for your son's recovery and the surgeon's skill.
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That's what I hope for most too crown1 - thanks!
 
I am so sorry! I hope your son has a quick recovery!
 
Heather, big hugs outgoing to you and your son. I wish him an easy speedy recovery, and try not to worry (too much!).
 
heather sorry to hear that your son has to have surgery at such a young age, but i am sure it will be fine!!! i will be thinking of you and your family..hang in there.
 
Wishing your son well, and you some peace of mind, I''m sure this is quite frightening for you!
 
HI:

Heather, he has you to look after him--oh so lucky! Thinking of you and yours....

cheers--Sharon
 
Thanks Tacori, DeeJay, Mara, Kiimberley & Sharon! Your kind words and thoughts gave me a boost.
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Oh Hlmr I am sorry to hear this. I have no doubt that he will be fine. I have no experience with this surgery but I will tell you that when I was born, I had 'snapping' thumbs. That same tendon that allows for opposable thumb movement would get caught in my joint and my parents had no idea until I was a few years old and they saw me trying to pick up things with the other 4 fingers, never using my thumbs. Anyway, I don't remember any of this but there are pictures of me in the hospital with both of my hands and thumbs bandaged up after the surgery. They work just fine now.
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Anyway, this isn't the same case but it sounds familiar enough that I thought I'd chime in.

Sending healing thoughts for your boy!!!! *hugs*
 
A scary and traumatic thing indeed. I think your son will be fine, but if it were me......

I would not let a surgeon who only has done this once, to an adult, do the job. If there is any possible way to do so, I would find an orthopedic surgeon or a hand surgeon, whichever is more appropriate, who has substantial experience with the technique of this injury. If this meant that you had to find a different hospital or region, so be it.

I gave the same advice to a friend whose husband had a sudden and very unexpected heart attack. Thank God he made it through the attack, but he needed quadruple bypass. My friend was of course hysterical and did not even want him to have a surgery. I told her go interview the surgeons, ask them how many of these they do per week and don't take one who does fewer than 3 per week. Ask how many of these die per year on his watch. Don't be shy.

She did just this and when her husband went in she was very confident and he got excellent results.

I realize this surgery your son needs is much less serious than bypass surgery, but like I said, if it were me, this is what I would do. It seems your son is not in an urgent situation and hopefully there is time to locate a specialist in this procedure.

Best of luck to you and your family.
 
I was thinking it might be worthwhile to get a second opinion, or seek out someone who has done this surgery on kids so many times they could preform it blindfolded. Is there any chance you have access to another doctor, even within a driving distance but not immediately near you? Not that this doctor is not skilled, but more experience is just a nice thing in terms of this...not sure what you can do, just wanted to send out best wishes and hope it all goes smoothly! My oldest had double hernia surgery at 9 weeks and my youngest has tonsils and adenoids out, and my oldest two had tubes put in, so I know it is scary...but it will be over before you know it and he will be recuperating and ready to play soon!~
 
Thanks for sharing your story FG!! Opposable thumbs really are everything to us humans and I''m glad to hear that you didn''t have any trouble with them since the surgery. Even though it is not exactly the same situation, your experience is close enough to make me feel positive and relieve my apprehension a little bit, so thanks!

Beacon and Diamondfan, I hear what you''re saying. This surgeon is a plastic surgeon specializing in hands, and he was not the first specialist we went to for an opinion. Also, my son although only twelve, is the size of a man at 6'', 150 lbs and has done most of his growing earlier than most kids. And this injury is extremely rare, so there is no one that does it on an assembly line basis, anywhere. Of course, if I were to have that option for such an experienced doctor, we would be there in a heartbeat. The patient who he performed the surgery on a couple of years back made a full recovery and has full use of his thumb.

Thanks again for everyone''s well wishes and information.
 
just sending well wishes :)
 
Thanks VegasAngel for taking a moment to send your well wishes.
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hlmr, I have been meaning to post in here and kept forgetting.

I really hope things go well, I can imagine your anticipation, and worry.

*fingers crossed*
 
Good luck and good vibes tomorrow hlmr!!!
 
Date: 4/3/2007 8:42:29 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Good luck and good vibes tomorrow hlmr!!!
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DITTO!!!!! I''m sure he''ll do great. HUGS!!!!!
 
Thinking of you and your son tomorrow. If you get a chance to let us know how things went, I know we would all appreciate it!
 
HI Heather:

Check in when you can--healing vibes your way!

cheers--Sharon
 
Thanks everyone!! It really means a lot to read your words of support.
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I will definitely check in when we get home tomorrow and let you know how everything went.
I just tucked my little (big) sweetie into bed and told him everything would be perfect tomorrow.
 
Just wanted to wish you and your son good luck, Heather! I''m sending good vibes your way!
 
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