3 replies to this topic

[Courtney]

Hi everyone, Duke has olecranon bursitis (bursitis in the outer bursa of his elbow) and a doctor is saying that he may need surgery to drain it......since he kind of needs those arms to push with, does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!!

[pistol_pete]

Hi Courtney,
I am facing the same problem, except my bursitis is in my left shoulder.
The recovery period and how we deal with it is a big issue.
My surgery will be keyhole surgery and I assume Duke would have the same type of surgery. In my case they actually scrape the top of the Humerus to allow for more room in the joint. They tell me that normally a person would have the joint immobilized for a week or two with total recovery coming in about six weeks. The immobilization period for a para or low quad who rely on their arms is scary. I am booked in for surgery but am constantly on the brink of cancelling it because I don't know how I'll manage with only one arm.
I guess , like me, he'll have to weigh up the pros and cons. Is the bursitis impacting on his ability to wheel around, transfer and do evrything he needs? Is it better do go through a few weeks of full dependency to have a functioning elbow at the end of it?
Has he had cortisone injections for it first? Cortisone will ease the pain for 2-3 months, and it may even clear it up. But hey, I'm no doctor.
If I go through with my surgery, I will be placed back in the rehab unit I was in after my accident for about a week. After that I am hoping I'll be able to transfer using a slide board and just generally take things easy.
Is this type of arrangement an option for you?

I talked about this with my wife yesterday and I think I'm gonna go through with it., mainly because the medical costs are still covered by workers compensation.

I know it sounds like I'm talking about my bursitis problem alot , but I just want to let you know that someone else here is facing the same issue, and I can tell you how I'm managing it and what steps to take prior to surgery.

I haven't even been given a date for my surgery yet. I was told it would be early 2010. So I'll stay in touch and let you know how i go and what Duke may be able to expect.

Hope any of this helps.

[Courtney]

Pete,
Fortunately, when we went back to the doctor today for another checkup, he said that we didn't need surgery at this time. The bursa had gone down enough that he seemed to think that it would be fine. He is a quad and with his injury, he can't feel his elbows even though he has use of his arms. (which I believe is a blessing and a curse, because he can't feel it now, but he also couldn't tell that it was hurting either)
As much an issue as surgery would be for you, I would think that it would be worth it in the long run. (those shoulders are going to have to last you a LONG time) Good luck with your surgery!!

[oldwheelz]

I just went thru a operation that had my arm in a cast from above the elbow to my knuckles. They took the cast off my hand at ten days and the rest at 3 weeks. Used a indwelling cath for the time the cast was on. Still need a lift to get in or out of bed. The cast has been off for ten days. When you are over 60 and have been in a cast that long recovery is slow at best.