Still pain in wrist after ganglion cyst removal surgery a year ago

[xfatalserenity]

I had pain in my wrist for years and finally went do see an orthopedic surgeon last year. After a bunch of tests and an MRI it turned out I had a ganglion cyst. The cyst was hidden and not visible from the outside of the skin. I opted to get surgery to remove the cyst since it was very painful. After the surgery the doctor told me that I had some small tares in my tendons and he cleaned them up. I went home and a few hours later ended up back in the ER because my incision was bleeding through my cast. So I had to have the cast removed, put a temporary on, then get re-casted the next day. Needless to say it was a horrible experience. After a few months of physical therapy I did make some progress although I did still have pain. The doctor told me that I would never be pain free.

Then a few months later I was in a car accident where I was rear-ended by a driver who wasn't paying attention to the fact that I was stopped waiting to turn. Because my hands were on the steering wheel both wrists bent back. I went to the doctor again and he put me back in physical therapy.

So here I am a year later and I am again in a lot of pain that interferes with my daily activities STILL. Unfortunately since the surgery I am able to do LESS then I was before. I have been lifting weights to try to build up strength in that arm but I cannot lift more then 8lbs without my wrist really hurting. I used to enjoy doing yoga and other physical activities like that but I cannot put that much pressure on my wrist. It is very depressing since I'm only 30 years old and I feel really limited on things I can do.

I have forearm and elbow pain now which I never did before this surgery. The doctor tells me its tennis elbow. So I wear a brace for that I wear a brace for my wrist I ice it, put heat on it, stretch it, etc. My husband thinks I should go back to the doctor about the pain but from my experience I am really hesitant since my pain is worse then before.

Should I get a second opinion? Is there a website I could get information from for orthopedic surgeons in my area that are very reputable? The doctor that did my surgery was supposedly the best in the area and has done surgery on several people that I know who had great success so that is why I chose him.

If anyone has an other suggestions or has had a similar experience please share. I'm tired of living with this pain every single day!

[Sunshine__]

I don't have your answers but it certainly sounds like the type of pain you guys are trying to manage is neuropathy or nerve pain. I've been on the internet again for this kind of pain....Very unique from my perspective. I ended up having to have a gangling cyst removed surgically mid June. I ended up in emergency room 12:00 a.m. pain was so bad. Unfortunately I had used my own head and decided the medication Dr. had given me wasn't working so I stopped taking it which I did to myself. I was given a shot, a dose of the med I was on and and an additional pain medication which does help. I find the nerve pain unique, not having pain like this before. It is a different kind of pain. I find it sometimes feels like stabbing pain, or sharp pain, or shooting pain, or numbness, stiffness in my wrist and hand. My goal is to learn how to manage it so my wrist and hand return to "normal" for me. I do hope and pray you all find a management for the pain and your "normalcy." Typing is a challenge for me at present.

[Bwhitty13]

It’s been 7 weeks since my ganglion cyst removal from my right wrist. My wrist pain started in high school around age 15, I think as a result of playing football and throwing shot put and discus. The pain got consistently worse over time. I finally had surgery this February at age 27. Since the surgery I still feel the same pain and now I have lost quite a bit of range of motion in my wrist. I can only bend my wrist to about a 45 degree angle whereas my left wrist can bend to 90 degrees. I physically can not bend my right wrist any further. It is locked at that point. There is a considerable amount of very hard scar tissue that appears to be the cause of the loss of motion. Bending my wrist backwards causes pain on the top left of my wrist near the base of my thumb. This is the same pain I had before the surgery. When moving my wrist there is often a hitch, not quite a click, but as if something is catching on something. I used to be active and play basketball, but now I can’t even take a shot without pain. I know it’s only been 7 weeks since surgery, but progress has been very minimal and I’m starting to worry this is going to be an ongoing issue.

[Johannessss5]

hey can you give me an update if anythings changed? i have the same symptoms with the limited bending and pain when pressing down at the base of my thumb, even though my ganglion's supposed to be more on the ulnar side.

[whoo77]

I had the surgery back in January 2014 after all the tests of MRI, xrays, injections to remove what was a growing ganglion cyst. I had 6 weeks of therapy, 2 times a week for an hour and was finally able to move my wrist like before. Just recently, I have been having pain in the wrist and was wondering could it be growing again even though the Dr stitched it up good inside to prevent it growing with all the scar tissue?

[Dangwrist]

Hi, I've been in pain for the past 5 years due to Ganglion Cysts on my left wrist, I'm a leftie too.. Have had 4 operations, 4 aspirations, 1 x ganglion burst by an acupuncturist, 1 x burst on it's own. And most of them were multiple Ganglions in the one!! They were always huge! Last operation was in April 2014 where they removed three cysts from the one. Now i'm still in pain and cannot bend my wrist at all. Had 6 Physio sessions and back in a month for more. Have appointment with Hand Doctor on Thursday and wondering what they will recommend now. I've been on that much medication and nothing worked. Unfortunately.. Not on any meds at the moment because i think it's a waste of time, and i was getting every side effect going!! Told the doctor to leave it for now. Think she has exhausted all ideas. I also have pain up my left arm to my neck and get tingling in my head all left side. Pain down left leg, from bum to big toe. Tingling in fingers. The list is endless. Have had scans, Lumbar Puncture, seen Neurologist. No far further at all. Just waiting on Lumbar Puncture results, but have it in my head that they won't find anything, as usual.. Fingers crossed we all get the help we need. It's definately not fair. I'm 33 and have a 5 year old who wants me to get better so i can take her swimming. Only been at the pool once since she was born!! Feel like the most useless mammy in the world at times. And feel like a nuisance to others!! Take care all. Chin up. ;)

[Mrsmlm]

Can I ask have you recovered now as I've had the same op nearly 2 wks ago & in so much pain! Just wondered if you'd had any relief from it?

[em3662]

hello- I had surgery August 5th of this year for a cyst removal in my wrist! My life has changed and I am a mess. It is in my right hand and I am right handed. I would have lived with the pain before surgery if I knew this would happen!  I am also 30 and cant do anything. no bowling, darts, writing, hand shakes, clapping, checkers and I could go one and on.  When I went back to the surgeon she told me I have a shoulder problem.... Complete BS!!!  So after seeing my primary 8 times and the nurse trying to get me to see a specialist... NO ONE would see me due to post op recovery... I finally was seen by her colleague down the hall from her and he diagnosed me with complex regional pain syndrome... he touched my hand for 30 seconds!!!!  I am frusterated and want to be back normal.. hold hand, rub my husbands back, pet my dog.... live life, hold a drink, dance.... I dont know what to do and I am depressed... My cyst started super small and I told my Dr.... she asked if it hurt and it didn't until years later and by that time it was hard and looked like a bone going out of my skin.  I dont know where to go or how to fix this.  This took me 20 mins to type and before August 5th.. maybe took me a minute..... They also have me on all these meds.... pumping my body full.... they work in some sense and I do feel at ease more but my face is also numb and my thoughts are not normal and disorganized... I hope the best for you and I thought maybe someone could help! I feel your pain.. stay positive :)

[Hl33]

This same exact thing just happened to me. I have lost all use of my right hand. I am about to lose my mind from the pain. My surgery was only 10 weeks ago but it appears there is no end in site. I am going to try a nerve block.  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include inflammation, degeneration, tendonopathy, neuro-muscular causes etc. It would be best to have this reviewed by your treating orthopedician for a detailed evaluation and suggestion of an appropriate management plan. If required referral to a pain management specialist may be sought. If planning to change your doctor, you could try searching the yellow pages for a list of doctors in your area and instead going by the websites, I would suggest getting actual patient reviews, before deciding on one.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!