Oh do I! Well, mine was a torn ligament, so hopefully cartilige will be an easier fix. Don't let my story scare you quite yet
Just be glad they're catching it early. I went through about 8 months of a "sprain" before they figured out it was something more serious.
I had two surgeries to correct the problem. The first was arthroscopy where the were simply trying to see the extend of the damage (you couldn't see ANY damage from the diagnostics, which is why it took so long to figure out.) They realized they couldn't fix it right then, so I came back a few months later to have the repair.
The second surgery involved putting in 3 tiny screws, as well as shaving down the ulna, it was too long and putting some weird pressure on the wrist.
In both cases, I came in in the morning and left by noon or so. I was given a nerve block that numbed my whole arm for the day. I have no memory of the first surgery, I was given some medication to fall asleep. However, I was awake for the second, which was kind of weird when they pulled out the bone saw!
I have to say, recovery was awesome. I played college water polo, and had hurt my wrist in October of my sophomore year. I had to sit much of that season due to casting/physical therepy etc (because of the misdiagnosis)
My second surgery was August, right before my junior year. I was swimming and training by October and played with no limitations by December. I only wish they had done it sooner!
I do have some lasting nerve damage on the top of my hand, but nothing that I notice on a daily basis or anything. ]
My only suggestion would be to see a hand surgeon ASAP as opposed to an orthopedics one, the hand surgeon was who finally figured out the issue.
Good luck to you and your daughter and I hope for a quick resolution.
