The Patient Patient

Update on Craig's condition . . . from email sent by Craig to friends and family:


I went to the orthopedic surgeon again this morning. The clavicle healing is coming along nicely and we are pleased of this fact. I’m basically on another 3 weeks of light duty… not as light as I have been for the previous 3 weeks but light duty none the less. Mainly I can’t lift things heavier than 15 pounds and not raise my hand overhead. I’m going to start driving again and this is a huge plus for me and Kay…

The decision was made to repair my carpal tunnel through surgery next Thursday the 16th. We knew before the recent testing and it was confirmed by the testing that I have median nerve entrapment in the right wrist (carpal tunnel). This probably has a lot to do with my right hand feeling strange or slightly numb. This procedure should take 14 days for healing and that will put me right at the end of my clavicle light duty as well. It just makes sense to go ahead and do it now, as it alone will require the light duty and related healing time. Do I look forward to it?? Hell no!! But, I (we) believe it’s the best thing to do and I’d might just as well get it all taken
care of now vs. waiting until later.

The decision to remove the plate and screws from my clavicle will be made later. This typically happens 6 months after the initial surgery and many people don’t have the hardware removed at all. If the decision is made to have it removed, I will have to be very careful again for around 6 weeks until the 8 screw holes have a chance to heal. I don’t really see much downside to leaving it alone and orthopedic surgeon didn’t seem to think it would be a huge issue if I were to break the clavicle on the same side again with the hardware in place.

I’m still getting better every day and with the clavicle and carpal tunnel healing I should be out of the woods by the end of September.

That’s all for now,

Craig