• Wrist Surgery – sharing experience to help others

Traci Reed

Many years ago, I injured my right wrist while working for a previous employer.  At the time, I was told that I had a small cartilage tear.  I wore a splint for a couple of months, and I had a cortisone injection.  I didn’t have any additional problems with the wrist until about a year and a half ago.  I began to notice pain again in the same area that had bothered me when I initially injured my wrist.  I sought treatment locally in Indiana, but I was not completely comfortable with the diagnosis that my local physician gave me.  I was planning an upcoming trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and I decided to explore my options at the Mayo Clinic.

I have seen Dr. Michael Stuart in the Orthopedics department at the Mayo Clinic for several years for my knees.  I respect his expertise and opinion, and I decided to seek his recommendation for a hand and wrist physician at the Mayo Clinic.  He highly recommended Dr. Richard Berger.

I was fortunate to get an appointment with Dr. Berger during my visit to the Mayo Clinic, and he worked me into his schedule on a very busy surgery day.  After I met Dr. Berger, I was immediately impressed with him.  He spent well over an hour with me during my first visit, and even stayed after the Clinic had closed for the day to explain to me what was wrong with my wrist and the treatment options.

After my consultation with Dr. Berger, I learned that I had a split tear of the UT (Ulnotriquetral) ligament in my right wrist.  This is a relatively new injury that has only recently been discovered and documented in medical journals.  Upon further research, I was pleased to learn that this problem is one of Dr. Berger’s specialties.  He discovered the injury, developed the surgical repair, and the post-op protocol.

I had one more consultation with Dr. Berger before surgery, and once again, Dr. Berger took his time with me despite a very busy schedule.  He explained the surgical procedure in great detail, and never made me feel that I was any less important than the rest of his patients that I know were waiting to see him.

Traci's arm in a cast after surgeryI had surgery on my right wrist on May 21, 2012 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  The UT ligament was repaired, and I am now in the recovery process.  There is no doubt in my mind that I went to the correct surgeon and the correct medical facility for my care.  I would not have wanted anyone else to have done the surgery and the post-op care.

Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN is a world-class facility.  I have been very fortunate and blessed to have received care under the direction of the Clinic physicians and staff.I have also seen other physicians at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for other medical issues.  Those physicians have been just as helpful and professional as Dr. Michael Stuart and Dr. Richard Berger.  Thank you to Dr. Stuart and Dr. Berger.  Thank you also to Dr. Stephen Wisniewski (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), Dr. Jay Smith (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), Dr. Robert Trousdale (Orthopedics), Dr. G. Richard Locke, III (Gastroenterology and Hepatology), and Dr. Leo Maguire (Ophthalmology).

Written by: Traci Reed (Learn more from her video interview below.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Fmj3Yekqw

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