In March 2002, I was living in Newcastle, North England, working for a bank, and decided to apply to the Metropolitan Police Force in London, as it was something I had always thought I'd be good at. I was successful and was given a start date of Aug 2003.

I cracked my lunate on a punching bag at my local gym in September, 2002 (a bit ironic when you think about it - trying to keep fit). After a couple of weeks of moderate pain, it felt better so I thought nothing of it (I never went to the doctor).

A few months before my start date, which involved 5 months of intensive Police training, I started to feel that my right dominant wrist just wasn't as flexible and the pain was coming back. My finances were in a mess, and I knew that after waiting nearly two years from applying to getting started, I couldn't risk getting it checked out and being told to wait longer, or even worse, being told that it was in serious trouble. I put it to the back of my mind and got on with my new career.

I passed the initial 5 months, but not without many a physical challenge that ended up with me convinced I now had a serious medical health problem. In the Summer 0f 2004 I confessed to my boss that my wrist was now causing me constant pain, and the mental health side of things were just too much. I felt worried, guilty, confused, and completely isolated all the time. I convinced myself that I might need corrective surgery of some kind.

I remember going to my Specialist after the MRI results were in and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him and his response was-I'll be recommending you are permanently unsuitable for Police duties, you should resign. He never confirmed this to my employers until after the op. I walked out the hospital in shock, realising that my career was over and my troubles were just round the corner. I was numb for days.

I had less than 2 years service, so was still a probationer, which meant my options were to resign, or be deemed unfit, and sacked. My doctor said the Radial Shortening option was a damage limitation excercise, and from diagnosis in September, I would only have to wait three to four months for the operation due to my job connections. I was on light duties to the end of the year, but in October I had to undergo a painful pilonidolsynus operation to remove ingrowing hairs from my lower back, and then in December I found out I had a serious femoral groin hernia which required further surgery.

I ended up in hospital for the Radial Shortening in January, 2005 and with all the time off, I put on over two stones and started to fall in to a depression which culminated with me coming round from the operation and seeing my arm in a cast (14/01/05). Covered in scars, I thought I was falling apart(although I'm quite proud of them all now).

In August of 2005, I left my job and went back to Glasgow, leaving behind what I now realise was the worst two years of my life. It was a lonely time down there seeing all my new friends advance in their careers and me being effectively on the scrap heap. However, I am now in a job I enjoy, I'm at the gym with zero restrictions (apart from press ups), and wouldn't change what happened to me for the world, as I enjoy life with a whole new appreciation.

I think now aged 29, this has all taught me a few valuable life lessons and I'm much better at handling daily challenges and life problems because they tend to come nowhere near the despair I felt going through this on my own. The experience truly humbled me and I don't get worried or angry about any little things because I feel I have recovered and been given a second chance with all my friends and family back in Glasgow.

This was a long, life affirming journey which I made alone. I couldn't get my head around why it was happening to me, but somewhere along the line the pain started to disappear and I forgot all about the KD. I guess I was lucky in that my wrist feels great again and I'm back home getting on with my life, so much better off for the experience.

Is mine a success story? Who knows? My wrist is far from perfect, but it functions in any way I need it to with only the odd strange sensation. This was not the case before Radial Shortening, so I am a big fan of that operation.

I find myself thinking about how fickle life is and how good and bad things can happen at any time (kind of like the movie, Sliding Doors, with Gwyneth Paltrow). One thing for sure is joining this Yahoo Kienbock support group and reading these posts has been of deep interest to me, because when I was at my worst and having to explain what was wrong with me, I was looked upon with confusion and doubt cause you just can't see the damage can you?

Well, my scar now serves as a reminder of how I overcame the biggest hurdle of my life so far, but it did take nearly 2 years. Anyway, that's me, up to date with you all. Good luck, stay positive and pain free. You have my greatest respect, because only those who have KD can really appreciate the rollercoaster ride which was my life in London.

Cheers, Gavin