PRC – An Explanation
PRC – proximal row carpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a row of small bones in the wrist. In reality, the surgeons change a complex joint in the wrist to a simple yet workable hinge. One good part about a PRC as compared to other wrist surgeries is that it has the least amount of recovery time. I have created a small video that explains the procedure as I understand it to be. There are many reasons why a PRC is performed and I am certain that everyone is unique. In my case my lunate bone had not received blood circulation for a very long time and had cracked while I was changing a spark plug on my Vespa GTV 300. There is no other option but a PRC or a complete wrist fusion. Have you had a PRC? If yes, please take 10-seconds and complete our survey so others may know the statistical outcome. (Click Here).
X-Rays:
CT Scan – 4 Months After Surgery:
Proximal Row Carpectomy - PRC 
I’m 53 and i had the surgery 3 years ago. I am a book binder and i can do everything i could before the surgery,a little less strenght in that hand but really no problems.8 weeks and i was back to work.
How is your range of motion in the wrist post-op? Mu orthopedist wants to do the PRC but I play guitar and want to make sure I will still be able to afterwards.
I played guitar for over 50 years. Was quite good at it. Had my PRC on my left wrist. Really can’t play any more. Really trashed my favorite thing in life to do.
NO WAY!! I’m like you. Play guitar and golf are the two things I want to do when I retire. CRAP!! Guess I’ll pick up the slide guitar. 😦
I am a double proximal roll carpet demi patient so yes both of my wrist have been done things are things are not easy but there’s light at the end of the tunnel you can do what you want you just have to find a way to do it my heart goes out to all of you and no you guys can do it please don’t give up you got this
I had PRC and still so much pain. Had the doc fused the wrist
I would have finger strength. Now after
Prc i have no finger strength and
Still will have to have fusion of the wrist. I will never be able to clean my butt after the fusion. I have no strength in the fingers gurrrr! 70% failure rate according to Mayo.
I am 5 days post op and flew cross country to Indianapolis from Coloardo for my surgery. I’m in a shoulder length post op splint. I know shoulder length splint until a below elbow cast in 14 days from surgery is unusual, and has been questioned in other groups, but my surgeon is internationally renowned and for good reason. I’ve seen multiple hand surgeons and had 5 prior thumb/hand surgeries, no surgeon compared.
I have been elevating and have normal swelling but my hand therapist already has me working on stretching fingers; tendons; etc. These exercises will prove to be a blessing, as I won’t have much tightness in hands when casts come off. I don’t know if others started OT and have stretched and exercised from day 3??
I should add that my stretches include bending fingers and making light fists. I’m reading others had problems with this 3-4 weeks later.
I believe the long arm cast stabilizes two important bones that permit me to do this without risking damaging wrist.
I am 9 months post prc and internal brace for the thumb. Every morning its tough to make a fist. Takes a few tries to make it. Touching the fingers with the thumb and making a fist is a must do exercise 4 to 5 times a day. My wrist is still none weight bearing in trying to get myself off the ground. The best exercise my PT gave me was to exercise the last joint in my fingers. It took a couple weeks and I was finally able to wipe my butt. That was one of my PT requirements. The other was to me able to push up with my wrist from the floor.
Unfortunately the PT gave up on me because every time I did something while hunting it made my wrist painful to the point I couldnt do PT and he spent the hour doing ultrasound on the wrist. He said after hunting we can restart. Hunting ends 1/16/2022. My doc did renew the script for pt.
I would recommend joining the slac wrist group page on facebook. Youll find many others there from all over the world. I would add some pics but cant here. Go to the facebook group page and look up my posts. Lou Hagler
Last week for three days in a row i used a chain saw and a polesaw chainsaw. The pole saw extended is really hard on the wrist. I used a plastic brace the PT made for me to shoot with. It worked ok. Im in a little more pain at night but im glad i was able to do what I did. It gets better as the months go by. My PRC was April 2021. The PRC surgery didnt give me the relief I was hoping for but I see its getting better. I share so others have hope!!
6 weeks post operation. The cast came off this week. I am now in a removable brace. The wrist is very stiff with limited degree of motion. PT will start in 4 weeks as the doctor wants to go easy. I am doing some minor stretching 3-4 per day on my own. Always wiggling my fingers and trying to make a fist. Minor pain mostly from the stiffness. Hopefully it will get better every day. This is a marathon not a sprint. I am preparing for a 4 – 5 month recovery. Good luck to all who have Kienbock’s Disease and are going thru a PRC surgery.
thanks for your response
Seems like you are far ahead at this point than I was. If you look in the archives I tried to document everything that I experienced week by week.
Thanks Peter, the posting of your experiences week to week has been helpful. The biggest challenge is not knowing what to expect. My surgeon did the PRC a little different that a standard PRC. He left approximately 25% of the Scaphoid bone for added support of the tendons and ligaments associated with the thumb. He also said that this would result in a more stable wrist. 6 weeks post surgery I can touch all of my fingers with my thumb and I am almost able to make a fist. PT starts the last week of Jan as I mentioned the doctor wants to go slow.
Anyone have any experience with PRC+ procedure with The WristMotion® Hemiarthroplasty Implant System from Arthrosurface, ( PRC with capitate cap implant)
Thanks
I am curious if anyone has had the titanium scaphoid implant, as my research looks as if it successful & no PRC or screws
Dave, I have Kienbock’s Disease and I researched the Wrist-Motion procedure and due to the limited long term data I went with the PRC. I spoke to the leading experts around the country and no body could show me statistics on the long term success results. Several surgeons are doing their own case studies but only have data from the last 3-5 years. My Capitate bone was in great condition so my surgeon saw no need to use the Arthro-surface implant. Believe me I researched every possible solution, PRC, fusion, 3D printed replacement bones, Wrist Motion implant, cartilage transplant from my knee to my hand. The one that had the highest success rate was the modified PRC that I selected. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks for you reply
Hi David…I had this surgery Sept 2020. It took about 3 months before I could use my wrist for any weight bearing activities ( I’m a photographer ) the pain never completely subsided from pre-op condition. Did PT and regained some strength and mobility in the wrist. Pain has worsened over the past 6 months and a recent x-ray revealed that the curved end of the implant that sits in the radius, has slightly sunken into the radius bone ( dr said the radius bone is too soft…SMH ) causing the spacing between remaining bones to be compromised and contacting at a few different points.
Surgeon wants to go back in to shave down the bones that are causing the pain by creating more space between them.. This “fix” doesn’t seem like it will last before the problem would reoccur in the same way.
Im currently looking for other surgeons /opinions as to what options I might have apart from total fusion.
I would not have done this surgery knowing what I do now. I’ve seen other implants that look more substantial and would seemingly create more stability for the joint
Im 65 and 15 yrs ago had an accident then surgery to repair torn ligament in the wrist. . Reattached ligament snapped during PT and fast forward, some of the carpal bones had fused together and significant arthritis causing pain and lack of mobility, hence the PRC with implant.
Johnny
I am a double PCR patient I had it I 2013 and 2015 its very painful every day but I keep going you can’t let it get to you you have to keep pushing. I’m a 26year garbage man and still doing it keep fighting guys you can do it it won’t be easy but you can do it the pain is for life I just couldn’t let them Fuse me I’m too young I’m 51 years old fusing me was no option for me I didn’t want a fuckn club for a hand so I did the PRC IM GOOD WITH IT
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022, 3:40 AM Proximal Row Carpectomy – PRC < comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:
I’m 3 weeks post PRC and having difficulty bending my fingers. I can’t seem to find much information about what to expect during recovery. Anyone else experience this?
Im 8 weeks po. While in the cast wiggle your fingers like you ate typing. Wiggle your thumb. The more you do the easier it will be when the cast comes of and they put you in a removable splint. I go in today to get the splint adjusted. I realized im probably at max movement in wrist. Half what i had before. After i broke them in 2001 i had half movement. Now when i rotate the wrist doing pt exercises my wrist bones pop and grind and there is huge pain. I pray that popping goes away. I fear it wont.
Cant send pics on here. Email me louhagler@msn.com i have a few pics showing my movement in the wrist.
Me, I’m almost three weeks out. There is very little information out there. I started physical therapy last week, and it is very painful.
Susan, it probably took about 9 weeks before I was really able to bend my fingers and that was with therapy 3x a week.
I’m now 6 months post PRC and doing great. I’m incredibly glad I had the surgery. I’m back to daily working out and using up to 25 pound dumbbells and I do push ups and planks on my knuckles. Hang in there. Once the swelling leaves the recovery speeds up.
8 weeks post op prc and cvc with internal brace. Min pain until the wrist pops when i rotate the wrist as part of pt. Very painful im afraid it will be permanent and only get worse from arthritis.
Well i decided i knew nothing about my surgery so i looked it up. They didnt remove two they removed four. Three in the bottom row
the scaphoid lunate and triquetrum.
And one in the thumb the trapezium. Im wondering what the long term complications will be. 4 point fusion is gone. But what am i headed for in the next few years?
Bob Nash
How did your surgery go? What pain are you having now?
I need to also do the left hand and three weeks post I thinking not doing it right away until O get all my pain gone in my right dominant hand. Any one have any suggestions how long to wait. They will do an internal brace also on the basil joint as they did three weeks ago.
Bob
The pain is less the only pain I have is rotating the wrist the bones left in the wrist pop and its very painful. I pray its temporary. Im afraid is permanent. I had 1/2 the motion after i broke both wrist in 2001 and debridgment in 2005. Now after prc im half what i had prior to surgery april 14 2021. I pray i get more movement but im thinking its all ill get.
I am 83 and have been putting off a PRC for years. After reading these comments I am scared as hell. I was playing tennis after my knee replacement two years ago until the Covid-19 started. I broke my wrist at age 8 and now have arthritis. I am still want to play tennis and golf but unless I do something I can’t. Dilemma.
If the Pain is to the point it effects your daily life youll know when that day comes. There are no options. We are at the mercy of the ortho docs. Do your research and find some one you trust and get several good referrals from people you trust. When it became difficult to get pain meds that were strong enough to give relief I had to so something. Good luck art and hang in there.
I had my Prc 5 yrs ago. Extremely happy with result. No pain and can barely tell any difference. I have decent range of motion and can do heavy manual labor again. I’m also a guitar player and have no issues. It’ll take some time but you should be able to lift again. Took me a good yr to fully heal. I was 45 when I had it done. Good luck on your recovery!
Hy Scott, my name is christof. I also have problems in my 2 wrists and i am thinking of doing an operation. Can I contact you by email for some queqtions? Kind regards. Christof.berghmans@gmail.com
Hey Scott, was it on your fretting hand? Are you are chord strummer or a seasoned melody player?
I lift weights without any problems. It has been many years since my PRC. I usually do 30 lb dumbbell curls (20 reps, 3 sets) every other day to work on forearms and biceps. I also have a tricep bar that I load with 70 lbs. I am 77 years old and not trying to build any bulk…just staying in shape and toning. It took over a year before I could lift like I do now. The key is a very good experienced surgeon and daily self-performed rehab while healing.
Had a prc 2 years ago witch hasn’t worked now on waiting list for total wrist fusion anyone know what I should expect please 28 years old and have 2 young children
Hey there so I am awaiting a prc myself what should I expect? I’m assuming you’ve had a bad experience with it
Where abouts are you based I’m uk and ops are different in other countries
I had my PRC 20 days ago just got a splint and starting to make a fist which seems to be helping the swelling not sure the outcome but the pain is less now than before I started the procedure
Thank you for this! Your images and others comments I’ve read have been a big help. I’ll be having a PRC in a couple of days. I had surgery at 10 yrs old for an extra bone and then chose to wait for further treatment on 2 other abnormally shaped bones until I was older knowing that anything I did wouldn’t be permanent. (Who wants to go in every 10 or so years for most of their life?) I’m 46 and just heard of the PRC and can’t wait! I thought for sure all I could do was have the joint fused so this is a great option for now. I hurt all the time at this point anyway so anything is worth a shot! Thanks everyone for your input on this procedure!
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60 Year old male at time of surgery. PRC completed April 2017. In a cast for 5 weeks. Tuesday cast came off. Riding motorcycle on Saturday with pain. Went twice for therapy and did it myself from then. Great Dr. Slight pain depending on how active I am. Fractured wrist 15 years prior to PRC. It was time for something
I would recommend seeking out a Dr. who has many of these under their belt. Yes I would do it again and recommend it to others who are tired of medications for pain.
My outcome was just the reverse. It could be that without prc my wrist would have become non-functional anyway but the surgery (1 year out) destroyed my wrist and my life. I am absolutely unemployable in terms of the work I used to do (retail management – which is very physical on the hands and feet). I will be on medication for the rest of my life and will always have to wear a brace just to do the minimum with my hand.
I had PRC 9 weeks ago. I’m 67 years old. I had to chance it. I was going to lose the use of my left hand. I am very pleased with the result so far. I have been aggressively rehabing the wrist on my own. It will never have the range of motion, or be as strong as it was 10 years ago. But, I worked with a shovel and a chainsaw yesterday. I will never do pushups on my palms. I can do all my normal household chores, though sometime I have to adapt. I am still gaining strength.
My range of motion is getting close to as good as it is going to get.
I had a PRC 2014 and I had an amazing doctor I still work I am a garbage man so you know my job is physical and I am a dubble PRC Patient advice take your time healing
On Sun, Apr 4, 2021, 4:41 PM Proximal Row Carpectomy – PRC wrote:
> Bob Nash commented: “I had PRC 9 weeks ago. I’m 67 years old. I had to > chance it. I was going to lose the use of my left hand. I am very pleased > with the result so far. I have been aggressively rehabing the wrist on my > own. It will never have the range of motion, or ” >
I had my PRC several years ago. Therapy during healing is the key. My wrist is actually as strong as the other wrist now. I can lift weights, throw a baseball and football, remove tight lids, etc. It takes over a year to reach that level. I am 77 years old…soon to be 78.
Gary, it has been quite some time from your last response and curious if you are pain free? Also, are you able to lift weights & do push-ups after a prc?
Thanks
Had PRC on left wrist for osteoarthritis two weeks ago. Age 74 and left-handed tennis player. Not much pain post-op – took Tylenol for a couple days after operation. No hard cast just a wrap and splint bandage. (One small study I saw found recovery is faster without a cast.) Swelling after op of course, some numbness, and painless skin peeling – using Vaseline on it. Stitches and bandage removed on day 12. Fingers no longer blue and yellow. Can now squeeze toothpaste tube (small victory), type, and unscrew jar lids. Can’t make much of a fist. and not yet driving. Days after op kept wrist elevated and used multiple pillows at night. In the 7 months prior to surgery tried 2 cortisone shots and wrist denervation. Did not help at all. Will post again re progress months from now.
follow up – began playing tennis with sufficient wrist strength and without pain about 5 months after surgery. by 7 or 8 months had regained most of the lost strength. after one year back to full strenth – zero pain and can hit hard serves/overheads. not that much wrist flex is needed in tennis strokes. can’t make as tight a fist with my left hand. (Could have some impact on flexibility of fingers for guitar players.). Glad I had the PRC.
Steve
Im 8 weeks post op prc anc cvc with internal brace in the basil joint of thumb. Did you have popping of the wrist bones after your prc? Did they go away? Mine are popping and its the only time im in pain and its when I do the rotating of the wrist as part of the pt exercises.
Steve, Just finished reading your post. I am also a tennis player 74 years old and have been considering PRC, but am afraid that it do more harm than good. I have had three cortisone shots so far to try to take away the pain and wear a brace and try to get by. You said you can still play tennis but how about your other everyday activities? I have some trouble with a lot of simple things and not much strength. I think if I give up tennis or try to play left handed the pain might decrease and I can get by.
Also cleaning yourself after going to the is more difficult. I would preferred fusion or even no surgery at all for the pain i am in now is more than before the prc. My right hand is now a show piece. Thats all its good for.
I tried for years to ride. I can ride but it always ends up hurting or having my fingers swell up. I recently traded my R1200R in for an MGB. Far less issues now.
I had a prc approximately 5 years ago. I work in construction and lately my wrist has been hurting. I was told eventually I might have to have my wrist fused. Is this something I should worry about?
I had a wrist fusion on my right wrist 10 years ago. I couldn’t deal with the pain anymore. It is definitely something you have to get used to but you can. No big deal. I’m about to have prc on my left wrist instead of a fusion because I don’t want both locked up. I’m hoping to buy some time until I can retire.
Don,
I have had both wrists done (PRC) several months apart. I am just curious, but both of my hands feel as though I am wearing gloves and I am very uncoordinated and weak. I continue with PT and hopefully this will correct or become less problematic… Are these similar feelings that you have or had? You also mentioned pain resulting in having to have wrist fusion. How many years after your PRC surgery on that wrist did this become necessary for you, and did you ever truly become pain free after the initial PRC? I have random times of sharp pain in both hands that occasionally shoot into my fingers or thumbs. I had my surgeries in Feb 2020 and the second in August 2020. Thank you for taking time to answer several questions.
I had 4 separate surgeries on my right hand the last of which was a radial carpectomy with removal of the pisiform also. That was in 1991 and have had pain and swelling since. It was 2 years before getting any feeling back in my thumb index finger and middle finger. Had a carpal tunnel surgery in 92 which helped somewhat. All this from supposed “best” hand guy in Denver at the time. Would I do it again? Not on a bet.
4 corner fusion in my left hand 12 years ago, PRC 8 months ago in the left. The limited range has left me doing many exercises on my knuckles as I cannot lay my hands flat. Within 6 months of the PRC I was able to do a hand stand up against a wall on my knuckles. It was tough, but I know I’ll get to a standard handstand again on my knuckles this year.
i was diagnosed with stage 4 kienbucks disease about 2 years ago and had a PRC it took about a year to recover,, i got pregnant last year i now have a 5 month old baby and the pain on my wrist is back,, the other day the doctor informed me it might be the tendons and gave me an injection but the pain went away for two days and now it back again
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WW. I had my first PRC almost 10 years ago (Dec 2009) on my right wrist. The left wrist was done in June 2010. Both were done ay the VA Hospital in Jackson, MS. I feel that both sugeries were sucessful. I had lived and worked for many years with “soft tissue inflammation”. I had been a cable TV installation technician which involved almost constant gripping, graspsing, twisting, turning and lifting cable TV wires. I was told that I could not return to the type of work I had done for over 10 years–not because of my wrists, but I also had both hips replaced. Since that time, I can pretty much do what ever I want to do. I have cut firewood. Worked out with free weights, etc. The biggest drawback is a limited range of motion, some strength, and some difficulty in picking up small objects (such as dime or a small screw). I can live with these small inconveniences rather than continue with the almost constant pain I lived with prior to the PRC procedures.
I am back to my life after 10 years. Often my fingers may swell a bit after a long day paddling a canoe or riding. But life could be a lot worse so I am happy that I can continue doing what I love to do.
So how long were you out of work? I actually do that same line of work.
William Wilson – thanks for the feedback. I have a PRC surgery in a few weeks, so this is very encouraging for me to hear. You said were even able to return to weightlifting?! Does this include the “basic” exercises like benchpress and dumbbell curls? I’m 50 years old and, while I’m by no means power-lifting”, I do like to do some circuit training with weights a few days a week. Just curious what I will or won’t be able to do when I finally get back in the gym.
Curious how your surgery went. I’m 10 months post op from prc and I still can’t do what I want in the gym. Riding my bicycles (road, gravel, MTB) are very painful.
Don’t give up, Mary. I dropped a lot of stuff in the early post-op months too. I taught myself how to use the other hand while I practiced trying everyday to grasp a pencil tightly with the hand that received the operation. It took me about a year before I could make a tight fist. I am 75 years old, and it has been about three years now. My hands can now both do everything equally with absolutely no pain.
66yr old female here, had CRP dec. 19 2018. it is now a week short of 3 months postop. my pointer finger has lost all strength and has a mind of its own. and cannot bend last joint at all, thumb is extremely painfull not much strength at all. i can’t even hold floss between thumb and forefinger and use it. i can’t scratch with pointer finger, no pressure in it and some loss of pressure in pinky. i also agree the braces they use seem to make thumb worse. my thumb right now is so painful to move. i can’t lift anything much with hand, not even coffee cup, and sometimes drop cell phone. but surgeon says its doing great. i’m sceptable. i can’t make a fist yet and my fingers are still swollen quite a bit. ..
Sorry to here it’s not going well yet. Male, age 69 at the time I went to surgery. (Still a male, but 73)
My hand surgeon told me that PRC was for old women who only wanted t be able to sit and hold a newspaper. Said I was way to active to do the PRC. He recommended a total wrist fusion. Said he had a friend who was a Orothopedic surgeon still cutting an sawing bones after a total fusion, He recommended that for me. That would mean total stiff wrist with no flexibility.. I opted for the
4 corner fusion where I get only about 15 degrees flexibility. i should have listened to him.
34 year old, 9 months out from my PRC. Back to surgeon today as wrist is very sore most tog the day. I’ll be getting an injection to try alleviate the pain but now back in my splint. Very disappointing and frustrating to be back to square one as regards pain and discomfort. Surgeon is reluctant to do the fusion dye my age. I’ll be getting it at some stage but not sure when. 2 years, 2 ops and soon to be 2 injections later, it’s still very disappointing as I can no longer play sport (hurling- irish sport).
Anyone with feedback on how both the recovery period and fully “healed” affects piano playing?
Just had my PRC done in June 2018. Have found it slow going. It’s only two months but it is still pretty sore. I’ve been trying to not wear the brace but it is pretty sore typing. I have an office job so nothing manual. I’ve been back running as well wearing the brace and that does help. I have bone taken from my hip to do a non union in my scaphoid in July 2017 so it has been one hell of a year surgery wise. I’m trying to be patient with the wrist but I just want to get back to normal. I’m not expecting to lift weights or play contact sport like I was before but I’d love to get to the stage where its not stiff in the morning…..no pun intended! I can’t hold much and that is frustrating as I’m in my mid 30’s and should be more active than I am.
It is normally very slow going. I could not make a tight fist for almost a year. I had to work on it every day by trying to grasp a pencil inside a fist. You will notice they had to snip a tendon (normal hands have tendons extended to each finger). This means the three tendons on the tumb side of your hand have to be trained to pick up the slack. In the meantime, you will be dropping stuff, having trouble removing kids, and stiffness pain. It goes away though. Now my hand that had the PRC is as strong or stronger than the other hand. Be patient. I am 75 and have a grip like a vice. As for your hip surgery, 23 days ago I had the Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery. I am having to strengthen the tendon connecting my femur bone before I can ditch my crutches and be able to do my morning runs again.
Keep up with your hand therapy and strengthening. It will take time but you will feel better. I’m 29, and had PRC in July of 2017. They were going to perform VBG but the scaphoid was already too shattered from a previous injury. Now I’m 1 yr and a month post PRC, and i feel it’s still healing. I don’t have stiff hand in the morning and in general i’m pretty pain free. I still feel it sometimes if I strain it too much, but I’m hoping that too will get better in time. This really is just a very slow process for healing. And the progress is in small steps. up until about 10 months post surgery I had a lingering pain on my pinky side of the hand, which is now pretty much gone. Don’t give up! you’ll get back to a lot of what you were doing before. Just be patient (I know, easier said than done ;))
Can I play golf after proximal row carpectomy?
I play tennis and knit which both use the wrist!
Anne, how long after PRC were you playing tennis?
I’m not really sure….maybe 3-4 months.
I’m 67. PRC done 2 weeks ago. I’m hopefull. Nothing to lose. I was on my way to losing the use of my left hand.
You should be able to. There isn’t much that I can’t do. I’m 5 yrs out from surgery and really happy with the result. Good luck to you!
12 weeks post op. Still wearing brace pretty much 24/7. Started strengthening week 8, but still can’t lift more then a pound without brace. Sometimes that’s even challenging…..drop a lot of stuff😔Constant pain in wrist, not like before surgery, but still pain. Wrist swells almost every day after work. I can’t say I’m not totally confused and depressed at this point. Not much online about prc. This is just me looking for answers to a question that has no answer. Will I ever be me again, normalish? Will my wrist always have a weird hump? Will I ever be free of this brace? Sorry, I’m just fed up with such little and no current info. Thx for listening to my thoughts.
Don’t be discouraged. I am 75 years old, and had the operation about 4 years ago. Now that wrist is stronger than my other wrist. I spent almost an entire year trying to have a clenched fist capable of grasping a pencil tightly. I practiced every day. Eventually, I could close the fist entirely. I dropped lots of things along the way—couldn’t even screw off jar lids. Now no problem! I routinely workout with 75 lbs. I can do 10 repetitions of 10 lb wrist curls with 90% effort.
Actually, I meant to say 30 lb wrist curls.
Thank you Larry! That’s helpful and encouraging. I’m finding this a tough surgery to “come back” from…. mentally and physically. My surgeon said it was a quick recovery but I’m not seeing it. I do my at home therapy every day and go once a week to OT since I’m back to work 6 days a week. I guess I’m just so frustrated…..but you made me feel a bit better knowing it’s “normal” progress. Thank you again!
You hang in there I am a dibble PRC Patient and I am still awaiting another surgery on my right wrist Unfortunately the bone that was removed keeps growing back it is a very rare thing in but it does happen I am proof of it I have had the bone come back 2 times in my right wrist and 2 times it’s been removed my left wrist is awesome I have no pain and can do so many things with it so when you think that you’re really badd there’s always someone worse so hang in there you got this don’t give up I haven’t and I’m still pending a surgery
Sorry but to be honest being one year post op no you will never be 100% normal again.
Perhaps I am an exception. I had PRC about six years ago on my right wrist. I have absolutely no pain and I have total flexibility. It took over one year for the normality, but I am very glad I had it done. I am 75 and I can throw a baseball or football with my grandchildren. I am a community coach for a high school wrestling team. I workout daily with weights.
I am currently 10 weeks post Op and also so frustrated. my range is minimal (still about 20) and my stiffness is constant. I get a ton of swelling still and morning tightness, which eases up but doesnt really go away. All the reviews i have read say to wait at least a year. Im super depressed and wish i didnt have a PRC.
My husband had this surgery several years ago and it took 2 years to get to a good level he found a great hand and arm only physical therapist who helped his strength greatly he knows how much he can push it to not irritate it. He also got very depressed as it is such a long recovery keep up the therapy and be patient
My husband had this surgery several years ago and it took 2 years to get to a good level he found a great hand and arm only physical therapist who helped his strength greatly he knows how much he can push it to not irritate it. He also got very depressed as it is such a long recovery keep up the therapy and be patient
Im 12 weeks pain comes from pushing the exercises. I started weening off the brace a week ago and now at night i feels better without it. Seems the wrist has moved to a different place than where the brace was at. Ive been lazy about getting out but after reading about a guy doing physical labor chainsaw shoveling so now ill push it. No pain no gain get rid of the brace take alieve and tylenol lidocane patches as needed. We all need to get on with life.
It took me at least a year (or more) before things stabilized for me in terms of discomfort/pain. My wrist does get aggravated if I try and do too much with it (which isn’t hard to do). Six months after my surgery I went to another hand/wrist doctor for a second opinion. I asked him about the “no pain, no gain” concept. He said it didn’t apply to recovery from PRC (i.e. stop when you feel a lot of pain). Concentrate on using hand grips and putty for strengthening.
I had mine done several years ago and I don’t notice it at all. It was very painful at first but now nothing. I had the other wrist fused before that and I am so used to it that I never think about it. Hang in there.
I had PRC done 10 months ago. I’m pleased with the range of motion, and I don’t usually have pain in my wrist. However, I am constantly aware of my wrist, and it just feels abnormal all the time. It kind of feels like a soreness or fatigue after overusing it, except even if I don’t actually overuse it. I know the wrist will never feel completely normal, because it’s not a normal wrist anymore. But what are some things that I can do to help with the strange sensation? does it get better with time?
It can get frustrating when I’m not focused on anything in particular, and then my mind goes directly to thinking about this strange feeling in my wrist.
Thanks!
Wait until you’re ready and then get the full fusion. It is not worth worrying about your hand all the time. What you lose in range of motion is easily overcome. In fact I don’t even notice it and the rest doesn’t feel “different“. I just need a little help getting something off a high shelf but that’s all I really notice. I really discourage anyone from getting this procedure done. If you have it done like I did, it’s not too late to get the full fusion. By the time I did it my hand was completely off center because the rest was so unstable.
Hello. I’m a 45 year old male. I have a snac wrist and can no longer play tennis and golf is becoming very challenging due to the sharp pain I get at the bottom of the swing. My doc recommends the PRC but I am concerned I’ll loose too much grip strength and range of motion. Daily tasks are also becoming a challenge. I painted a room recently and had a hard time holding the brush for that long. So I’m looking for feedback from anyone on range of motion and grip strength. I’ve had 3 injections and get about 8 weeks of relief but after that it seems that the arthritis pain is worse.
i had a prc done 6 years ago, i am 51, so now i look into the fusion as i am in pain every day, i am a custodian in a high school maybe they can cut my hand off and attach a small wall washer, lol. fuck!
I hate you are in pain. Don’t wait on the complete fusion. I had the same concerns about not being able to move my wrist. It is a complete non-issue. I never even think about it and the pain level is near zero. I wish I had started with the fusion and was not talked into the PRC. I hope you feel better.
I am one year post op and I am in pain everyday
I’m 10 months post op and also in pain if I try and use my wrist. What does your dr say? I felt I was making progress albeit slowly but now I feel I’m regressing.
Anyone know anything about the Amandys procedure? Apparently is only available in Europe. Someone on Facebook says it worked out great for him. https://www.facebook.com/SLAC-Wrist-626165027568373/
Anyone tried to fire a pistol after a PRC. Wouldn’t recommend it.
I cannot stress highly enough that this procedure is not worth the perceived gain in range of motion. It kills grip strength, has an incredibly long and painful recovery process and ultimately your hand will be unstable. Skip this dangerous surgery and opt for a complete fusion. Recovery is quick, pain is gone, grip strength remains largely intact and what little disability there is can quickly and easily be compensated for to the point you don’t notice it.
I had the prc done 4 yrs ago and am so happy with the result. I injured my wrist at work and it didn’t heal properly and cut off the circulation to the scaphoid bone. I am a professional guitar player and it hasn’t affected my playing. I have no pain and hardly notice the loss of motion
Thanks for your sharing Chris. I am 74, a tennis player and have some pain every day. How much change did you notice in your ability to use your hand after fusion?
I was wondering about this I am glad I read through the post
Has that situation changed for you? I purchased a handgun and am wanting to go shoot it but hesitant. 10 months post op from prc.
My comment was in regards to my PRC about two years ago. I am sure mine will be fused later. I feel like arthritis has started to set in. My surgery was from a bad wrist fracture that never healed correctly.
Has anyone that had PRC tried to bowl after surgery. I have a SNAC wrist after fracturing my Scaphoid bone. I am concerned about quality of life with not being able to play Pickleball and bowl.
mine took about a year for strengh to return
I have the strength, but with less range of motion its difficult to throw the ball straight. i had my surgery about two years ago.
Do not get a PRC. The surgery is painful, hard to recover from and the rehab last a very long time. Your hand will never be the same in terms of range of motion or grip strength. Opt for the complete fusion. It causes minimal changes in lifestyle, the recovery time is fast, and the pain dated day is nonexistent. The PRC method makes the promise of a range of motion which in some ways you get however the loss of grip strength and pain involved is not worth it.
I was diagnosed with end stage 3 in October. I chose not to do anything about it as the pain was something I could handle with daily Aleve. My GP put me on 300 mg of gabapentin for both my insomnia which also takes care of the pain till mid day. I’m not ready for surgery but I do worry that I might be causing further damage to the rest of my hand. Has anyone else just managed the pain and gone on? I’m 63 and not ready to lose range of motion.
I am one of those who decided against surgery. I was diagnosed with stage 1, two years ago, when I was 52. I was in a lot of pain at the time and was considering surgery but as a lifelong guitarist, and working musician, I was afraid of losing my abilities. At the time, I really couldn’t play without pain. I decided on a number of changes: 1. I changed my diet and excluded gluten and all processed foods; 2. I started taking flax oil, borage oil, and fish oil supplements daily; and 3. I began swimming three times a week. Oh, the other major change was that I changed the way I used my right hand. I stayed away from any activity that would stress my hand/wrist. After about 6 months, I started to notice some changes. I no longer had appreciable pain, had good range of motion, and I was able to play the guitar without any pain. I still can’t lift heavy things or work with tools the way I once did, without pain, but for me, it has been worth it. I still sometimes tweak the wrist and it takes a few days to calm down. I may need the surgery in the future but I’m not there yet. I was told by my surgeon that waiting could cause more damage because of the progressive nature of SLAC, but more importantly I think, that the decision to have surgery is really a matter of quality of life. For me, what I am doing now is working.
Thanks very much for the information. I play guitar also and golf. I am right-handed and the pain is in my left wrist but the left wrist is critical for guitar and for golf. I can manage my pain with diclofenac, a strong anti-inflammatory, so I will hold off on the surgery for now and try the dietary changes u recommended. Brian
My range continues to get smaller as time goes on and the pain getting worse. The injections don’t last and the ibuprofen is making me feel sick. My PRC is scheduled for 2weeks from tomorrow (2/25/19).
I am VERY apprehensive but fear the total fusion more. I am still working and do not know what to expect from a recovery perspective. How long before I can resume normal office type work.
March 17, 2016 was my surgery and I am one year post PRC today! I work as a nurse in an Emergency Department and I have full functioning of my wrist and hand. Fine motor skills are spot on (starting IV’s, suturing, etc.) and I can do CPR (chest compressions) and lift/move patients with no trouble at all. My work performance is not impacted at all. My limitation is in the gym, I still have a bit of decreased range of motion (ROM) which makes it difficult to do bench presses and I am not able to do a traditional push up yet, both things I was doing prior to the surgery even with the fractured, non-healing lunate bone. I was having constant pain and losing hand strength prior to the PRC, so the small loss in ROM is worth it. I have no pain now and my hand strength is just as good as it was before.
Hi,
I had my second surgery (PRC) for Kienbock disease Nov. 30 2016. I have fairly good movement but stiffness with some pain when I bend my wrist forward when I make a fist . My question is this . I have a knot on top of my hand close to my wrist that the Doctor says is scar tissue . I also have a “dip” area in my hand I imagine where he removed the 3 bones in my hand . It looks sort of deform compared to my other hand .
Does anyone else have this after PRC surgery ?
Thanks,
Linda
Yes Linda I have the same problems and it has been 9 months it will be a year in May 2017
I’m having the PRC in 2 days. Dr Moore Wilmington, N C. I’m very impressed with him, but depressed reading these posts. I’ll be 64 a couple of days after the surgery and moved here 9 months ago, a golf community. scary the length of time for recovery. I too lift wts, and run (falling on runs obviously was the cause) and moved here to learn and play golf. a lot of this sounds like bad news.
I am 74. I had it done when I was 71. I lift weights and coach a high school wrestling team. It takes a while before you get the tight, strong grip back into your hand. However, now I can hardly tell any difference between both hands. It was the best decision I ever made.
Tom, I am 61 and surgery was 5 weeks ago. Cast came off 1 week ago and had physical therapy yesterday. Some pain but not too bad. already riding motorcycle. Being aggressive after cast was removed seems to lessen swelling and pain.
I had my prc done on dec 19th and i am still in significant pain and swelling, also my hand seems to be shaped much differently than i thought. My pinkie is offset and im not sure if all of this is normal. My doctor told me i could return to work 2 weeks after surgery so i didnt plan to have more time saved to make sure i get a paycheck so i had to return 3 weeks after and cant do everything i should as a correctional officer so i may have to go on leave without pay.
Hello my name is Paul I am a double proximal row carpectomy patient and just recently on December 6 have a Nother surgery to remove a bone that grow back it doesn’t seem possible that you would return to work into weeks or three weeks after this kind of surgery you should have been casted for over a month and then have to go through a lot of physic therapy I think you should seek a second opinion because something just doesn’t sound right I was off for nearly a year after each surgery and it takes quite a long time for the pain to subside my advice is that you seek a second opinion and get a cast on that hand immediately
I have had a PRC in addition to a complete fusion of the wrist. I highly discourage the PRC. It causes a lot of pain, extended down time and months of physical therapy. Then you have reduced range of motion, and near zero grip strength. In contrast, the fusion fixed the pain, recovery time minimal and grip strength remained. Of course you sacrifice ROM but it is an easy adjustment. I have returned to lifting weights without restriction.
I think I agree with you Paul
Hi,
I had a PRC on Nov. 30th. I still use a removable cast but did start PT this week
. Does or has anyone experienced an enlarged knuckle below the index finger? Also I have what the Dr. says is scar tissue which looks like a knot on top of my wrist.Has anyone had that and if so did it go away ? My Dr doesn’t think I’ll have any more than 50% range of motion.Im ok with this as this is my second surgery I had my lunate revasculated and the ulna shortened in 2012 and only got about 50% range back then after 5 months of PT ,
I also have the large knot on the top side of my wrist and hurts if press on it and a large place on the bottom of wrist that hurts most of the time I don’t think it is going to go away on its own but I will not have any more surgeries this past 9 months has did in for sure
I am one week after my PRC. It still has a lot of pain. I am going back to work this week and am wondering if anyone else was able to function in a non physical job.
When? Like a week after, No I stayed home.
George, I did not experience much pain at all. The one exception was when I would sleep at night. I had a bad habit of laying my head on the wrist. It would hurt in the morning. I solved that by placing the pillow between my wrist and my head. I had my surgery over two years ago, and if I sleep wrong, to this day, I will experience some pain in the morning. Otherwise, I never have any pain.
I’m having the PRC February 16 2017 and I plan on returning to work a week after as I cannot afford to be home longer than that. How was it for you George?
I scheduled surgery for wednesday with the plans of returning to work the following Monday. Didn’t work out. Couldn’t tolerate the pain without meds. I sit in front of a computer all day. Returned the following Monday but had trouble then. It has been almost 2 months. Still a lot of pain, but tolerable. Much better than it was before surgery. Taking gabapentin for back pain which helps a lot. A 2lb weight restriction so not sure how I would return to work if doing physical labor. Good Luck!
Had PRC March 24 2017. Pain for first 24 hours. Cast was removed one week ago. First therapy session was yesterday and I rode my motorcycle there. Dr. who performed surgery has done many. After surgery he said it went perfect. Range of motion today is about 80% of what it was previously. Reason for surgery was a fall and fracture 20 years ago. Have some pain mostly because I’m pushing it beyond limits so as to get back as best that I can.
i don’t know what you do for work but returning in a week. wow. i couldn’t do anything in a week. i’m 3 months post op and still lots of pain in underside of wrist, top of wrist, fingers that no longer respond. no strength in 3 fingers, still swollen and can not make a fist. just doing dishes is a huge chore and causes a lot of pain. good look but i think you need more recovery time.
Hi everyone my name is Paul I had a PCR in both left and right wrist I’m doing very well in my left wrist but something crazy happened to my right wrist one of the bones grew back and I am having it removed on December 6 it is very rare but it happens my sergon was totally shocked he had only heard of this in books and now it’s in his face I don’t know what to think of it but I have to deal with it wish me luck next week
How did the surgery go for removing the bone after it grew back. Mine grew back too and I have surgery in 2 weeks to remove it.
how long after PRC did bone grow back and which bone.
I had a prc about 7 months ago. I’m lifting weights..As the one poster said I too am lifting less weight with more reps. I had an awesome surgeon and physio guy. They said two years until one can fully judge the results. Range of motion in flexion is a problem but I’m almost up to about a 50 degree angle. I hope to improve this further. I’m in law enforcement and the surgeon thinks I wll be able to eventually continue my work. BTW I broke my scapoid about 15 years ago, and again 12 years ago…it was not treated.
Dr. Morhart in Edmonton is a genius!
I lift weights too, Garth. I am a high school wrestling coach. It took me almost 18 months before I could make a tight fist and have total range of motion. Now, a little over two years later, the wrist functions 100% like my other wrist.
Garth how long were you out of work? I am also in law enforcement and have not yet gotten the surgery. They are not sure yet how to proceed, since they have never seen anything like it. I somehow shaved the cartilage off the lunate bone. So right now the choices are the PRC or the fusion. I dont think fusion is an option at this point due to my career and also my hobbies.
i to had a prc 2 years ago, once i adjusted ive found it to be ok, better than living with the pain but feel that i may now need it in my left wrist. has anyone ever had this operation in both wrists?
I had a PRC a little over a year ago. I had a bad wrist fracture I can do most things or I have adjusted. I used to do a lot of bicycling, but now it’s difficult. My range of motion is very limited. The pain is better then before the surgery. Its harder to get off the floor with my wrist. I use more my elbows. My injury was from a fall – workers compensation. My wrist has been a lot weaker ex: opening a bottle of pop. Its a life adjustment. I have huge fears I may fall again and bend wrist beyond my range of motion. I would think it would,be very painful.
I had that same fear for the first couple of years. I have since fallen a few times and somehow my body managed to avoid injuring my wrist. I still ride my motorcycle and now I am training for Style Canoeing and love it. It is hard on my wrist by I recover daily and need to pain meds at all.
Dew, I had trouble twisting lids off of jars, and I had limited strength and range of motion in my wrist for about 18 months. It has been two years now, and everything is back to normal. I think it just takes time for the body to recover and make new adjustments.
i worry about that all the time, falling on it, i can’t even imagine the pain and damage.
I too opted for the 4 corner fusion 11 months ago. Arthritis set in and it hurt like before the operation. A month ago I had orthroscopic surgery to scrape the bone.
Now I want the full wrist fusion with a steel rod. This business of having to baby it is not acceptable. Just like the doctor said, the PRC and 4 corner fusion are for light use only,
hello everyone. i am very happy i found this page. i am a 23 year old college student who recently had PRC due to Kienbock’s. reading every ones replies i know the recovery time is a long process but i was wondering if anyone can still lift weights? (even years after recovery?) working out is a second way of life for me and never being able to do it again might just ruin mine. i knew going into surgery i would never be able to do certain movements after and not be as strong but im really worried(even if it is very light lifting). if anyone could can help out or give some advice that’d be great..
Hi Nick,
I recently found a facebook page called Kienbocks Disease. Check it out, it has been really helpful to me 🙂 Good luck!
I lift weights but I wear a brace on my wrist.
More reps less weight
Quick Hx – broke my wrist boxing and playing football years ago which resulted in wrist instability and requires multiple surgeries. Had an unsuccessful bone graft done and then a PRC. The PRC helped with pain but the recovery time was long and painful. Eventually returned to being able to about 70 % strength in my hand and probably 60-70% range of motion. However, eventually pain returned over the course of several years and the wrist became unstable. This resulted in a complete fusion of the wrist. If I had a chance to do it again, I would opt for the fusion. I was scared to death of not being able to move my hand but I really don’t even think about it. It’s a non issue 98% of the time outside of typing moving things into a shelf. Pain is near zero unless I over use my hand, then I use a brace till it recovers. One thing to note is that my job requires some heavy lifting and I still weight train. I do not take it easy on my hand and if your job and lifestyle are more casual, a PRC may work for you. If I had to do it again, I would skip the PRC and opt for the fusion.
Hi Chris – do you have any restrictions when you are weight lifting ? Are there any exercises you cannot do ? Can you only lift light weights? Any advice would be appreciated.
With the complete fusion, it took about 18 months before I could lift weights without restrictions and no brace. Since that time, I have had no issues lifting. I do have to modify the movements on a couple of the machines because my hand won’t bend but truly it is a minor inconvenience. They offered to do a complete fusion first but I was talked into a PRC by the surgeon with a promise of wrist movement. The recovery from the PRC was long, painful and there was still instability. Eventually my hand shifted out of alignment. My advice is to skip the PRC and opt for the complete fusion.
HI Chris, thanks your reply, u have absolutely made my day ! I have no intentions of having a PRC, its a full fusion for me, no messing about and no future surgeries. Do you do any free weights in the gym or machines only?
I use mostly machines but I do some free weights too. That is by choice though and not a limitation of my hand. Bench press can be a little awkward especially heavier weights. Push ups just need to be done on your knuckles instead of your palm. Use correct form when doing pull ups. Other than that, no issues. There is a small adjustment period while lifting. The limitation is really an inconvenience and not a serious functional limitation. Pain level 0 on most days.
Fantastic ! I have no reservations about getting the fusion done now. In terms of poundage how heavy do u actually lift and press mate?
On the machines I use the max weight or close to it. That includes machines for chest, back, Lats and Bi’s. Legs I use free weights because most machines don’t carry enough weight. Bench press free 225-250. Don’t want to over due it. I’m not 25 anymore. Lol Hope it helps! Good luck.
hi, thanks again Chris ! last question I promise – can you do any shoulder dbell press ?
You can do db press but you need to rotate the weight to accommodate your hand. I use my good hand for support. You can lift whatever you want, but you will need to adjust a little. It comes prettty naturally though. Last bit of advice – let it heal and get the all clear from your doc before lifting. It took 18 months to lift with no support brace. (It took 10 months before I could 3 even bend my hand after the PRC much less lift anything over a few lbs). It takes up to two years for the fusion to be seen on an x ray. I have lived through both and you are making the better decision with the fusion!
sir i had PRC 4 months ago hwo long take time can i do waight lifiting and hwo much i well be normal like before …?
Completely Normal? Never…. Almost normal was two year for me.
I am 73 years old, had the PRC a little over two years ago. I still work full time at a local high school and in the evenings, I am the high school wrestling coach. I still lift weights and I am able to demonstrate the wrestling techniques with my wrestlers. I do not try to see how much I can bench or anything like that. I usually do not use more than about 75 pounds for lifting that requires wrist strength. I keep a tricep bar with 75 pounds on it in my class room. We do an exercise called 7-7-7 with the bar on a regular basis. It provides a good break from the math and physics, and keeps me in shape. It took me almost a full two years before I could handle this sort of thing without any pain.
it will be a year in May 2017 and I still have a lot of pain and no strength and trouble writing name
have been very dissapointed with results
I’m 22 bro how have u been feeling as of late? I’m deciding on doing the pyrocarbon transplant instead or just go through prc