Reasonable to ask to stay in hospital overnight after trapeziectomy?
Posted , 2 users are following.
I had a trapeziectomy last year on my left hand and have recovered very well. My right thumb is also very painful - I last had a steroid injection in January - and I'm thinking about getting this one operated on, too. This is my dominant hand.
When I had the trapeziectomy last year I opted for a nerve block, as the last time I had a general anaesthetic I had severe shaking afterwards, which was rather unpleasant. However, the nerve block didn't turn out the way I hoped. The block only partially worked and, even after two injections, the thumb side of my hand was still not numb. I was encouraged to still go ahead with the operation, the anaesthetist gave me Fentanyl, but I could feel everything that was done and it was rather painful. After the operation I felt very groggy and unwell (I was also given medication to lower my blood pressure) and, when I came home - it was day surgery - I slept for about 12 hours. It took me a couple of days to feel like myself again.
Sorry for the long story, but I'm now wondering, if I have a general anaesthetic for for the right hand, is it reasonable to ask if I can stay in hospital overnight, so that I'm more recovered to go home the next day?
0 likes, 2 replies
traceyleeh Cheetah
Posted
I had a similar experience when having tendon surgery on my hand. I was anxious about having a block and only agreed to it if I could have some kind of sedative as well, but on hte day they refused, telling me I would, 'be okay'. (I sometimes get anxiety when having certain medical procedures done which is awful). The block did not work properly (not sharp pain but dull pain) and the surgeon was very cross with me (even though it wasn't my fault...) but they talked me into continuing. It was horrible. You can choose which anaesthetic to have. You may not be allowed to stay overnight (I always think staying overnight is safer...), but you have a right to request it. You may not need it anyway, as I had surgery on my knee in January, and thought the same thing, but was surprised that I felt good enough to walk out a few hours later. Discuss this with your surgeon.
Cheetah traceyleeh
Posted
Thank you, Tracey. Sorry to hear that you had this difficulty with a nerve block, too. How, on earth, could the surgeon be cross with you? When I went back for my check-up the consultant I saw (a different one) was very surprised that I had gone through with the op, even though I could feel everything. Yes, dull pain is exactly what I experienced and the Fentanyl made me feel very groggy and unwell.
I will definitely discuss it further if/when I have my right hand operated on and I'm pleased that your knee surgery went so much better. Thanks again.