Skin taken from wrist for mouth re construction

Hello, I had a free flap from my arm to repair my mouth after cancer surgery.

That was about two years ago, and there is still numbness and discomfort in the surgery area, but I have not experienced spasms at any time.

I found movement and function improved gradually with physiotherapy. But I can hold things easily, albeit my wrist/hand are less strong than previously.

I hope your partner gets the help he needs to regain better function. My experience is that the arm was never quite the same again, but I can hold things in a normal way.

Good evening Sheila, i never had any problems with my skin graft although some people do as its a delicate operation and it all takes time to heal and recover, its good they are investigating further. They will not do anything about teeth /dentures until they are happy with his recovery /progress as we all recover at different speeds. i was thankful i had a PEG feeding tube fitted so chewing was not an issue, i know how frustrating things can be but he will get there it just might take a little bit longer than expected. Wishing you both all the best, take care.

                                                                                                  Chris x 

Hi Sheila

I am sorry to hear that your husband is having trouble with his skin graft donor site. I  had a graft taken from here to replace the roof of my mouth after having 2 maxillectomies.

For a while it looked like a dog had bitten a chunk out of my wrist but that look has improved over time. I had an uneventful recovery so was very lucky.

It did feel really uncomfortable for quite a while with the sensation particularly above the graft and the base of my thumb feeling very prickly and it has reduced some of my wrist movement but nothing that causes difficulties. This was one year ago. It still feels prickly but much less so that I even forget about it most of the time. I was told to massage the area regularly with Sorbolene cream or something similar to help the healing process. Obviously for your husband this is probably not an option as there seems to be something else going on there.

The graft skin colour has faded considerably and is not very noticeable now.

I had to wait a year to get teeth through reconstruction surgery but that was because the public system takes a while and also they had to have the prosthesis made in Germany and that took 3 months. (I live in Australia) I have managed on puree for the last year and that worked out fine. In fact even now with the prosthesis that the denture attaches to I still have to eat puree as grinding food with the denture does not work that well. However I am very happy with the cosmetic look and it beats not having any teeth in my upper jaw.  I no longer feel embarrassed about the way I look and walk out with confidence.

Obviously the time frame for having teeth is different for everyone depending on their particular circumstance but your husband’s prosthodontist may be able to give an indication of this.

Thing should improve with time but I do hope they can help your husband get the pain and spasms under control as that must be very distressing.

Wishing him all the best.

Lyn

Thanks it’s just i keep wondering if it’s what normally happens or if there is something else that could be sorted out  

glad physio helped you I’ll keep fingers crossed it does my partner too.

Thanks Chris I appreciate the support and information as I’m one of life’s overthinkers so it helps me calm down when I get more understanding of what’s happening and what to expect 

Thanks I’m hoping he will eventually get to play golf again as that’s how he relaxes.