The perils of big beaks

BeatriceC

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About a month ago I was getting Charlotte out of her cage when she lost her balance and grabbed for the closest thing she could to keep from falling. Unfortunately for me, that was my hand and wrist. I've been having trouble with it, so my doc referred me for an MRI. I had it done Saturday. Yesterday, my doctor ordered a STAT referral to an orthopedist. She never orders stuff stat, so I was curious what was in that MRI report that was so urgent.

I have known, existing damage to the cartilage and ligaments in both hands due to a mountain climbing accident 23 years ago. She managed to get me in the exact right place to separate one particular large structure from the bone. I'm waiting for the ortho to give me the appointment so I can find out what they do about this.

Yippie
 

GaleriaGila

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Awwwwwwwwwww, baby....................
Good luck; get better fast; all that.
Dang.
Sorry.
Patagonian hugzszszszsz!
 
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BeatriceC

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Feb 9, 2016
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Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
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I'm not a doctor, so I don't know exactly what this means, but orthopedics is a specialty that I'm as familiar with as any layperson can be because of having to learn it to make the best decisions I can for my boys.

If I'm reading the report right, the triangular fibrocartilage complex has torn away from the bone at the distal end of the ulna. There's some degenerative damage in the same place, as well as cysts within the bones of my hand near my thumb.

Now, 23 years ago, I took a nearly 30 foot fall off a mountain, then bounced and rolled another approximately 70 feet into a ravine. I've done significant damage to my body, including my hands. I'm freaking lucky to be alive and walking, to be honest. What I think is that the existing damage has been degenerating for a while, and Charlotte grabbed my hand/wrist (she got me right at the bottom of my hand, millimeters above my wrist), to complete the damage that was already in progress.
 
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itchyfeet

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If it was degenerating, there might have been an increasing build up of pain over time.
At least if she's finished it off, you can get help sooner?!?:54:

The mountain fall sounds like it wasn't quite the adventure you planned - sending healing vibes yours way :heart::heart:
 
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BeatriceC

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Feb 9, 2016
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Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
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I should go back and edit. The fall off a mountain was when I was 17. I'm 40 now. I have all kinds of latent damage. It's really only a matter of time before I start falling apart.

That said, it's possible that she actually did me a favor and finished ripping the cartilage off the bone before it was too late to repair it. But we shall see what the doc says on Tuesday.
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Good grief, that was a nasty accident. :( Hopefully you have a skilled orthopedist who can accurately diagnose. Don't be shy seeking a second opinion if you don't feel comfortable with the treatment advice.
 

SailBoat

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One of the tools that I have used over the now too many years is to drop a bit of humor. If the Doc breaks a grin, likely got a good one! In this case, try this question:

"Okay, so that's the direction you're recommending here?! What about 'Velcro,' wouldn't that work just as well?"

It helps, if you do it with a slight grin going into the Humor Laden Question.

It takes the tension off the moment and you just might see a glimmer behind the normal Mask most of these guys keep in place. Its a reality of their profession. And, you likely switch the moment to a Human to Human.

Again, Prays and Amazon Hugs!

Hey, how is Charlotte holding-up? Got to be tough on her also.
 
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BeatriceC

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Feb 9, 2016
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San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
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I'm actually far more knowledgeable than the average person when it comes to orthopedics both because of my recovery from the mountain climbing accident and also having two boys with a genetic bone disease. I've had to learn an awful lot to make appropriate medical decisions.

I also use humor a lot. And I plan on asking the boys' ortho to give me their opinion before I see the doctor that my primary referred me to. Even though they are pediatric specialists, I trust them, and the one that are seeing a few hours before my appointment is a hand and wrist specialist.
 
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BeatriceC

New member
Feb 9, 2016
1,351
91
San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
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Oh, and Charlotte is doing mostly ok. She's learning to perch on my left arm. We are both more comfortable normally with my right arm, but it hurts too much.
 

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