Hi Fiona

I haven't had a wrist fusion but have had a wrist replacement. I imagined that was going to be the end of the RA problems for that particular part of me especially after the 12 months it took to get over the op. and have anything like wrist/hand function again! But no!! I now have very poor mobility in that wrist, writing or typing with it for more than a few minutes causes pain. It now has fluid round it and seems to be the cause of a rather large nodule of sorts on my hand! More investigation!!

It sounds as though you could do to have the wrist checked out or at least X-rayed to ascertain if there is an underlying cause. Have you tried splinting it to give it some rest? There could be a problem with the tendons or perhaps some movement in the bones. Definitely worth getting it looked over to be on the safe side.

Lyn x

Excuse me too Fiona please ... but hope this might be informative if not directly useful to you! Wrists are one of the most difficult of the joints when things go wrong due to the number of very small bones each of which plays a very important part in the function and mobility. It needs only slight deterioration to have a huge impact.

Hi Julia

I think mine is similar to yours but its quite different to a nodule I have on one of my finger joints, that's pretty hard. The one on my hand is definitely a fluid filled sac, just like yours. Oddly my daughter asked me why I had a lump on my arm, it's actually nothing much but obviously visible to other people. It's the underside of my arm a few inches below the inner elbow. There is a gentle warm raise of about two inches (nothing drastic! I hadn't even noticed). Then approaching my wrist, but on the upperside, the wrist is puffy and seems to have fluid in it (over the replacement). Then on my hand is this weird 'lump' and my knuckles are all swollen along with the middle finger which was steroid injected five weeks ago. Crikey ... think I've just talked myself into mentioning it to someone!! Amputation might be called for eek!!!

I've found in the past when fluid is drained from anywhere it inevitably returns ... somewhere! It will be interesting to see what they say to you this time Julia. I would be reluctant to let them drain it again on your past record, they come back double trouble ... you could end up with four!! Keep going and you will have a full set!! Fingers crossed (I would if I could!) 'they' have an answer; do let us know.

Lyn x

Hi Lyn

All fascinating stuff, don t you think ? there seems to be no rhyme or reason to all this, and I definitely agree that I will have a full set if he interferes with it again - I will certainly keep you posted on developments and please keep me posted too on how things develop with you ( or hopefully disappear ! ).

Julia x

Hi there
Sorry for any absence but I have now had the wrist xrayed and guess what - the plate has moved so hence the pain. I have an appointment with the consultant Monday week (31st) to review but it seems there is something going on under the plate. I will keep taking the painkillers and splinting the wrist until then. Thanks for your replies - I will keep you posted.
Fiona