Total wrist fusion

I am 66 and have been diagnosed with a conditioned called SLAC in both wrists---caused by a ligament rupture.  Please provide any feedback you can provide regarding full wrist fusion.  To further explain, I am an avid competitive water skier (skiing into 32-off/32 mph).  My wrist condition has gone on for a few years, and the three orthopedic doctors whom I have met with suggest that age & genetics are likely the culprit, given the fact that I can't recall and major "event" that might have caused either ligament tear.  The right wrist is worse than left, and I've been living and skiing with this condition for at least 3-4 years.  I'm very active, and can see myself skiing into my 80's.  Based upon my visits with the three doctors, I have concluded that I'm looking at a full fusion of the right wrist perhaps next October (after 2021 ski season is over), and the left wrist will likely come 2-3 years later.  The last doctor I met with (and the one that I would likely select for surgery) said that my right wrist is beyond doing a Proximal Row Carpectomy or 4 Corner Fusion (both considered "partial" fusions).  Based upon what I have studied, it would appear to me that a PRC and 4CF are for "light-use" only.  Thus, I mostly likely would have steered towards the full fusion anyway.  Additionally, it seems that a lot of people that get a PRC or 4FC have issues, and eventually have to move on to a full fusion anyway.  All that said, can any of you provide some feedback on grip strength after a full fusion?  Yes, I know that mobility will be reduced with a full fusion, but I have been told by a hand PT and all of the docs that I can get back to skiing after 4-5 months.  Unfortunately, the BallofSpray forum (great website for water-skiers) doesn't have much information on wrist issues.  I do a bit of climbing, and enjoy the MP forum, so I figured that I would give my question a shot with my climbing buddies.  Thanks for any feedback you can provide.  

Quit water skiing. Do more climbing. Glad I could help.

Dr. Frank

Frank, I appreciate the response.  However, water skiing has been a passion of mine for 50+ years, and I don't want to give it up.  The doctors have indicated that I can live (and ski) with my current wrist issues for as long as I can tolerate the pain.  As  it relates to my wrist condition, the nice thing about water skiing is that the pull of the boat/handle extends the hand (further separating the wrist bone from the bones in the hand closest to the wrist bone), so I haven't had to diminish skiing much.  It's the other things in life that cause the most pain, like unscrewing a jar, raking levels, shoveling, torqueing a bolt---twisting/turning motions.  

I'm simply seeking feedback from people who have had the surgery to tell me what they have experienced as it relates to grip strength (after surgery vs. before).  Probable grip strength after the surgery would likely dictate how soon I would undergo surgery on the right wrist.  Yes, I'm prepared to give up skiing if I have to, but  my research suggests that I won't need to.  I simply want to understand what I'm dealing with from people who have actually had a wrist fusion.  I would assume that this condition might be more prevalent with rock climbers.  Thus, the reason for posting on MP.  Thanks!

Dear Steve,

I hope you get to see this reply, 

Hope all went well with you in the end, I am now on the same boat and wondering what your experience was after your wrist fusion?

Cheers
Fernando

Steve / Fernando, was wondering if you had the wrist fusion and if climbing was possible / comfortable afterwards. I’m 62, an avid life long climber, had a carpectomy but still in pain, as I understand it my only other option now is a fusion.
Anyone climbing regularly with a wrist fusion? Would love to hear your story!

Steve / Fernando, was wondering if you had the wrist fusion and if climbing was possible / comfortable afterwards. I’m 62, an avid life long climber, had a carpectomy but still in pain, as I understand it my only other option now is a fusion.
Anyone climbing regularly with a wrist fusion? Would love to hear your story!

Hi Alan, I have not had mine fused but probably will have to in a not-so-distant future, so i'm also very keen in hearing some experiences from climbers that have had it fused. 

Happy new year !

Fernando, met with surgeon today PRC didn’t work, wrist fusion only option now, be great to hear from anyone who has had a wrist fusion.