Hi everyone, I received my NeXT implant (in L0) about 5 weeks ago. For the first 4 weeks, I tried to use my left hand as little as possible, and didn’t do any heavy work with it. Since it’s been 5 weeks, I decided to try to go back to lifting weights.
I’ve noticed that the implant bulges out a bit during this (seems to be expected and a non-issue), but more importantly, I’ve noticed it hurts a little and feels pressurized, like if I squeeze harder it’ll shoot out of my hand. The pain is minimal and I’m not worried about it, but I’m wondering if there’s risk of displacement or if anyone else has had a similar feeling while working out or gripping something hard.
If anyone has felt something similar, please let me know! I know it’s only been 5 weeks, so might I just need to wait longer? Or am I alright to keep working out with this high-pressure feeling?
It kind of depends on how your muscles work in your hand and the placement of the implant over top of them. Some people have their implants in that location immediately rotate 90° and it seems to settle in that orientation, whereas other people it’s fine how it is - parallel to the index metacarpal.
I don’t think there’s any risk but if you’re feeling tension and pressure and even a little bit of pain then there’s definitely pressure being applied to the implant. Can you have someone take a photo or short video that clearly shows what’s happening while you are lifting? I don’t think there’s any risk of the glass breaking because of this pressure or tension, and I don’t think there’s any risk of it actually bursting through your skin, but it might not be the best location for you in particular, when you’re performing these particular actions.
I also have an xSIID and an xDF3 that are 16 mm apart (on either side of a vein) in my left P0. My xSIID was my first install, and it was kind of a non ideal place (closer to the bone than I wanted?) but it worked out because it hasn’t bothered me or caused problems and left enough room for a flex chip that I recently (friday) replaced with an x series.
I do a lot of farm style work, sports, etc … and mine have held up great. I have whacked my xSIID with a hammer several times. Still functioning as good as the first day I installed it 3 years ago.
The only thing I learned the hard way is that you don’t put flex chips there! They fail fast in that location!
Maybe you could use some pre wrap to “hold it in place" if you want some extra comfort? I don’t know that it will actually help, but it might make you feel better mentally lol
If anything I imagine a bar would push it this way. And totally NOT as far as I drew the arrow, but anywhere in that area should be ok. I wouldn’t worry at all.
Ok, I’ve isolated the issue a bit more. It only feels pressure when I hold a dumbbell horizontally (2nd image); holding it vertically (1st image) feels fine.
My guess is that when holding it horizontally, the weight is positioned right above the implant, and so it’s putting a lot more pressure or displacement/squishing on the L0 hand tissue (in between the weight and the implant). This, combined with the tighter skin from gripping/closed fist, might make it seem to feel more bulge/pressure?
With this context, is it safe to assume that I can safely ignore any moderate discomfort/bulge/pressure feeling? I’m would only be worried about displacement/breakage/puncturing the skin, so I just want to confirm those aren’t risks here, within reason (I’ve seen the strength tests of the glass so I’m not too worried about breakage)
I agree. Mine did this and I was worried at first but it has not popped out and I have had it for ages (well over a year, maybe two. I can’t remember).
