I had a wrist fusion and then I had the DRUJ implant, can you tell me if the wrist fusion can be reversed so I can have motion back? The implant has worked great pain free rotation, just would like to have wrist motion back.

Mike, Texas - Feb 14, 2012

Hi Jill, I am Bryan and I work at Aptis. We have had many procedures performed in and around Phoenix. If you would like help locating a facility please call us (502-425-8584)

Bryan, Aptis - Jan 30, 2012

I am very anxious and awaiting to schedule this procedure. I have every faith in the physician I have. But now that we have agreed it is what is needed, we have no where in Phoenix to do the procedure. The prosthesis has not been approved here. Any ideas??

Jill, Phoenix - Jan 30, 2012

" I just celebrated my first anniversary with my Aptis Druj Implant and am feeling most grateful for the unbelieveably wonderful creation and for its creator, Dr. Luis Scheker. My wrist and hand are functioning so well (better than it has in years) and are so pain free, that I forget the DRUJ is even there.
In January, 2011 I was suffering excruciating and contant pain in my wrist and was unable to move some of my fingers. Dr. Scheker diagnosed my problem as Vaughn Jackson Syndrome, a condition in which the arthritic wrist was severing the tendons to my fingers. Because reconnection of the tendons must occur in a short window of time after severing, Dr. Scheker operated the following day. He gave me my miracle wrist (DRUJ) and grafted tendons from my toes to replace tendons to my fingers. The wrist worked immediately and was pain free. But, my hand was in a special cast for six weeks that let the fingers move just enough to keep the grafts from healing in scar tissue. During that time I had therapy on the fingers and wrist. I quickly regained full range of motion.
Thanks to my DRUJ and Dr. Scheker, I began to resume my active life style as soon as the hand cast was removed. Now, I play golf several days each week, enjoy playing my acoustic and steel guitars and the piano, and work out regularly in the gym. I'm lifting 35 lb. free weighs with no wrist problems.
I am the "Bob" in the case study on this web site--and I am one happy and grateful man."

BOB ROBERTS, LOUISVILLE, KY - Jan 24, 2012

Dear Curious-

After reading these posts, I feel that I have to post my own testimony. I am the first patient to recieve the second generation APTIS DRUJ. It was implanted in 2005. A little about me; In 2003, I was a working (hair stylist) mom of a 6 week old baby boy and a 3 year old little girl the day my life changed forever. I was in a horrible car accident that left me in a nursing home for 6 months. One of my injuries was crushed radius and ulna. The doctor at the trauma hospital saved my arm by placing plates and rebuilding the bones the best he could with what he had. However, it was extremely painful, not to mention I had no movement what so ever...it was basicaly fused. Being a mother of two, that wasn't going to work.

The day I came in contact with Dr. Scheker, was the day my life changed forever. He told me that he could fix my arm where I would have no pain and I would be able to move it! At thsi point, I couldn't use my wrist and it hurt all of the time. I had previous surgeries and I was willing to do anything, as long as I could use it... I needed to be able to be a mom again. We had to wait two years for FDA approval. Once it was approved, I was in the OR the very next day!! While I was in recovery, Dr. Scheker came out and shook my hand. My wrist moved for the first time in over two years!! At my post op visit, he told me to lift my purse up off of the table... and I was able too!! At this time my son was two and a half years old and I couldn't even pick him up by myself....but I was able to now.

Since 2005, I have went back to school and I am now a Registered Nurse. I currently work for Kleinert and Kutz Hand Surgeons. I work with all sorts of patients, including APTIS DRUJ patients. One of my duties is to review patients charts for publication. In reviewing these patients charts as well as interviewing them, I have seen for myself just how amazing this prosthesis can be, not just my own experience. The vast majority of the patients that have recieved the APTIS prosthesis do extremely well with improved mobility as well as decreased pain. The earlier that the patients are implanted, the better results. Remember though, I had to wait over two years and I have full function with no pain. Some patients have had other underlying issues and because of this, their results have been beneficial, but have not done as remarkable as others.

I think about how my life would've been if I never had this chance. I wouldn't have become a Registered Nurse, nor been able to take care of my own children.

Dr. Scheker welcomes you to visit us, so you can see just how remarkable this prosthesis is for yourself. "

Jessica, New Albany, IN - Jan 23, 2012

Lauren, was reading your post and just wondering how you know the results on hundreds of patients who have received this prosthesis. Also, in your reply to the Oregon patient, you state what their result will be after surgery. No one can know what another patient's results will be. There are too many variables. My advice would be to talk with as many people as possible, patients and professionals before making this decision. Find out why or why not they would or would not recommend it. Knowledge is great.

Curious, OH - Jan 18, 2012

Hi Becky from Portland,
My name is Lauren, I had my Aptis DRUJ implanted 4 years ago. I read your posting and it has similar aspects to mine before this procedure. I am sorry that you are in so much pain, it is very frustrating to not be able to use your arm. Here's a little about my case, I broke my radius and tore several ligaments in 2002. I had several procedures within the next few years due to ligament and tendon tears, then in 2005 my wrist became totally unstable much like yours. In 2006, I had another surgery that made things worse. I was quite tired of surgery and concerned that any procedure that I might have would just make things worse. I met Dr. Scheker in 2007 and I am so happy that I have the DRUJ. I have full range of motion with complete stability and no pain.
Becky, it is very scary to go into another surgery especially after you have already had 3 already, but it sounds like this procedure is perfect for you. Patients have great success with this implant. There are hundreds of patients out there that have full stability with no pain and great wrist range of motion. Patients haven't had any concerns with the implant and are on to living their live without having to worry about go to another hand surgeon. As for your question about pain, the first 5 days after surgery are pretty uncomfortable, but your doctor will also give you appropriate medication to help. After that pain decreases, your arm will be bruised for a few weeks, youa'll see it mostly in your elbow. Your recovery time is not long, your surgeon will place your arm in a bandage for two weeks after surgery but you will be able to rotate your arm during that time. When you go back for your two week post-operation appointment, the bandage will be removed and you can start using your arm right away. (I picked up my purse at my two week appointment, I was so excited, that weight would have caused me severe pain before and I had no pain). The surgery is definitely worth being done, you will be able to use your arm without pain and have motion. I hope that I have answered some of your questions. If you have any others please respond back on this posting or email my at Loralie02@aol.com. Have a great day!

Lauren, New Albany, OH - Dec 29, 2011

In 2007 had wrist surgery to reattached all torn ligaments around the left wrist although no bones were broken from a fall. All was well until 2010 when I began to experience increasing pain in my wrist and numbness in my hand along the outside. I am completely lefthanded. After some tests it was determined the ulna was totally detached from the wrist and radius. I had surgery, a ligament weave, that failed and six months later I had another surgery that has held up but I still have pain, limited motion and ability to lift any weight and in addition possibly ulnar nerve damage. My new surgeon recommends this procedure but has never done it before. I have concerns about success ratio, how much pain (if any) there is from the stem inserted in the ulna, recovery time, etc. This will be my 4th surgery and I am not sure it is worth the expense, time and pain to go thru again. Any feedback? What options are there if this surgery fails?

Becky, Portland OR - Dec 29, 2011

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