Some may recall I had a tendon operation 8 weeks ago. 

Since the operation, I have had paralysis of the hand. The medical term is 'finger drop'. Prior to the operation, my hand was fine.

I have pointed this out to the orthopaedic surgeon on each follow-up appointment.

 

His replies have been as follows (in chronological order over the 8 weeks)

 

"Don't worry. It will return next week." (after 1 week)

"Don't worry. It will definitely return next week because you have some wrist movement." (after 2 weeks)

"Don't worry. It will return in 2 more weeks. I think it is neurapraxia" (after 4 weeks)

"Don't worry. It will probably return after 3 months." (after 5 weeks)

"Don't worry. Usually it returns." (after 6 weeks)

 

After no improvement at all, he arranged an EMG and nerve conductivity test in the neuromuscular department of the large prestigious Pattaya hospital, followed by the results being presented to me by him in orthopaedics. 

 

I did the nerve tests. As ever he was overbooked and my appointment with him was over an hour late. I was a little unimpressed that he had not even opened the test results when I saw him. He then had to phone the neurologist to discover how to open the document. He quickly scanned the document but could not understand it. He then had to phone the neurologist again to get her to explain it to him. (I can speak Thai) He just wanted a binary explanation with the answer being 'neurapraxia' or 'axonotmesis', no detail, no nuance. She said "axonotmesis". 

 

He then told me that my paralysis will resolve itself in 3 to 6 months. He then stressed I was "not to worry or think too much". (My hand is paralysed I remind you.)

 

I will be honest. Today was yet another series of indicators that showed he is taking on too much work to do his job properly. He even asked me why I had a plaster (Band Aid). I explained I had just had a nerve test (arranged by him). "Oh that was today, was it?" he replied

 

Another indicator was the nurse rolling her eyes on finding out my hand was paralysed (post-op) and then immediately saying she would get the doctor. (She knew more than she was letting on.)

 

In addition were there many highly over-optimistic prognoses.

 

This orthopaedic surgeon has left me in a far worse state than before the operation and I have paid a large amount of money for him to do that. 

 

The neurologist's report ends with the conclusion, "There are electrophysiologic evidences of left radial nerve degeneration, lesion below branch to BCR muscle, no sign of nerve regeneration below branch to supinator muscle."

 

Could anyone let me know if 

i) this paralysis may resolve itself

ii) whether I need an operation

iii) what the chance of a full recovery from the paralysis is

 

I am happy to copy out more details from the neurologist's report if that helps. There are lots of abbreviations and numbers.

Nobody here can answer question 3.

 

The answer to questions (i) and (ii) are both maybe.

 

You should come to Bangkok with all your records and consult a very experienced hand specialist. 

 

I recommend

 

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/dr-panupan-songcharoen

 

Very senior, former head of microsurgery at Siriraj before retiring from government.  He is at Phayathai Sundays only. 

 

In addition to being clinically excellent he is a very nice, caring,  sincere person

18 hours ago, Briggsy said:

1.Could anyone let me know if 

2. this paralysis may resolve itself

3. whether I need an operation

4. what the chance of a full recovery from the paralysis is

1. ?

2. maybe

3. maybe

4. unknown

 

I chose these short answers because a recovery is a personal issue, varying from patient to patient.

Also, the decision of another operation can't be answered because I haven't seen any photos.

A full recovery, independent of your case, can be possible even after many months.

My advice will be to go for a second opinion. Take the results on your CD which the surgeon/neurologist handed to you out and present it to another hospital to another Doctor.