Day 8 - Couple of Cool X Rays

Now You See it, 
Now You Don't...

Go ahead: study those bones. Do you the differences? The
pre-surgical x-ray is on the left, the post-surgical (day 8) is on the right.

Need a hint?

Look at:
     Joint spaces
     Position of bones

Don't peek ahead yet...

A - That's my trapezium bone. Wikipedia explains, "The trapezium bone (greater multangular bone) is a carpal bone in the wrist."  Note the crunchy edges. Also compare the joint spaces in that area with elsewhere.  The cartilage has worn away, causing rubbing of bone on bone. And pain.

B - Where'd that trapezium go? Out with the bio-waste! My arm tendon, curled like a cinnamon roll, occupies that space, even though the x-ray doesn't show it. (How did I ignore the arrow when I added the B? Gonna let that one go...)

C - Another feature of this joint rebuild is that one end of the tendon gets threaded through a neighboring bone, thus pulling everything into proper alignment.  Or so we hope... Then it is critical for me to consistently wear a splint that locks the joint in a position that protects it and promotes maximal healing.

There are some great diagrams on the following site:

http://www.houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics/where-does-it-hurt/hand/resection-excision-arthroplasty-of-the-thumb/