I have been having pain and inflammation, as well as a notable loss of strength in my left wrist and thumb and loss of full range of motion. I was referred by my primary care doc to a hand surgeon.
They did xrays on my left hand and wrist and found moderate osteoarthritis and loose thumb tendon where the thumb connects to the hand. He told me to stop lifting weights for 2 months and that when the inflammation settled down that I would be able to resume lifting, but with lighter weights after that 2 month rest, but no more free weights, machines only. He also said there is nothing to be done about the loose thumb tendon and put me on Feldene, 20 mg once a day. I have not been lifting weights, which is driving me a little nuts, but I am following his instructions. I also am making a point not to use my left hand for gripping, per his instructions.
After a little searching on the web I found a University of Washington (Seattle) that did mention surgery to "tighten" loose tendons or repair ruptured tendons.
I have now been on the Felden for 4 weeeks and my symptoms are not improving and, in fact, seem to be worse with me limiting the use of my left hand for gripping.
I do not want to Dr shop and this doctor has good reviews, but I am wondering why he specifically told me there was absolutely nothing they could do to "tighten" loose tendons. From what I have found, that is not the case.
Is a second opinion reasonable? I have another appointment on December 3rd to see if they can increase the dose of Feldene. I do not know if I should bring up that I did find a source that says surgery can indeed be utilized to tighten loose tendons. He also will not refer me for physical or occupational therapy (saying the repetitive motions will make it worse; though I have noticed much more stiffness in that thumb and wrist with my intentional decreased use of this hand) and his nurse told me even after 4 weeks on the Feldene that I may not be feeling its effects yet. I don't know what to do. Last time I told a doc I was seeking a second opinion, they wrote in my chart that I was an "uncooperative patient."
They did xrays on my left hand and wrist and found moderate osteoarthritis and loose thumb tendon where the thumb connects to the hand. He told me to stop lifting weights for 2 months and that when the inflammation settled down that I would be able to resume lifting, but with lighter weights after that 2 month rest, but no more free weights, machines only. He also said there is nothing to be done about the loose thumb tendon and put me on Feldene, 20 mg once a day. I have not been lifting weights, which is driving me a little nuts, but I am following his instructions. I also am making a point not to use my left hand for gripping, per his instructions.
After a little searching on the web I found a University of Washington (Seattle) that did mention surgery to "tighten" loose tendons or repair ruptured tendons.
I have now been on the Felden for 4 weeeks and my symptoms are not improving and, in fact, seem to be worse with me limiting the use of my left hand for gripping.
I do not want to Dr shop and this doctor has good reviews, but I am wondering why he specifically told me there was absolutely nothing they could do to "tighten" loose tendons. From what I have found, that is not the case.
Is a second opinion reasonable? I have another appointment on December 3rd to see if they can increase the dose of Feldene. I do not know if I should bring up that I did find a source that says surgery can indeed be utilized to tighten loose tendons. He also will not refer me for physical or occupational therapy (saying the repetitive motions will make it worse; though I have noticed much more stiffness in that thumb and wrist with my intentional decreased use of this hand) and his nurse told me even after 4 weeks on the Feldene that I may not be feeling its effects yet. I don't know what to do. Last time I told a doc I was seeking a second opinion, they wrote in my chart that I was an "uncooperative patient."