I'm weighing up surgery on my thumb joints

I had this procedure 13 months ago and like you had a finger on same hand fused at the same time. Have not really had any pain issues from 6 months on, and now after 13 months it is pretty well 100%. Not quite as much strength as before, but none of the arthritic pain either.  I get the left thumb done in 2 weeks time, hopefully with the same outcome. Looks as though it is a bit of a toss-up as to who gets after op issues and who does not. In your case it looks as though something did not go as planned when they operated on you, most definitely a good idea to get another surgeon's opinion.

Thinking most of my pain is more of a tendinitis. Had middle finger on same hand fused 2 mos prior to thumb/finger surgery. Being unable to use thumb with those 2 fingers has forced me to use ring finger..  very awkward....giving bit of a “tennis elbow” and “golfer’s elbow, which continues right up the chain with triceps tendinitis. So actually seeing a PT for that issue while waiting to see doc after he reviews surgery notes. I still do international medical missions, but extracting teeth has definitely gotten more difficult, and untreated right thumb gives me fits after about 100 dental injections. Ugh. 

Hi Angie, 

I’m sorry to hear you a having a slow recovery and no I haven’t heard of your proceedure. I was only offered the “anchovy coil” procedure. 

No, I haven’t taken the plung yet....I’m glad I haven’t. 

So far I’m still managing my pain with not too much actually when I think about it. 

I have had success with

arthritis cream

beef gelatin. 

Arthritis gloves. 

No that I think about it, my pain seems to be manageable with less. 

Ive just ordered a red light device for easing arthritis and other joint pain. If you google “red light treatment for arthritis” you’ll get quite a few results. Nothing ventured , nothing gained. 

I am determined to avoid surgery at all costs. If it gets really bad I’ll look at stem cells. 

I really hope you recover quickly. 

Blessings

 

I have just had my finger joint replaced, this is my third so I know the drill very well. 

It will take ages for the pain to go and yes the physio does make it worse BUT if you don't do the physio, you won't get teh movement back. What my surgeon abd physio tell me to do, is take some pain killers before I do the physio. If you keep doing it, the joints will start to move, its definitely a case of no pain no gain. 

I am in huge pain at the moment trying to get  the tip of my finger moving, but i know if i don't do it quickly it won't happen, so I push on through the pain barrier. I am seeing my physio every week and she measures my angels of movement, is this the same for you. 

My surgeon tells me that there is a narrow window when you can get the joint moving and my advice to you would be to battle through the pain and get it moving, Yes I know its very tough I am going through the same struggle myself, but I know my experience that its so worth it because the movement will return. 

You will find that most people who say their surgery was unsuccessful, didn't do all the post physio to get it moving because it was painful. My surgeon will go the extra mile for me because he knows I push through that barrier and reward him with a moving finger

best of luck 

Hi there, thanks for responding.

I've not heard of the anchovy coil procedure.  I was offered the trapeziectomy or implant. 

I really didn't want to go with surgery and my immediate response was no.   I researched the surgery, read loads of horror stories of bones crumbling, infections and all sorts.   I'm only 46 though and I didn't know how much worse it would get.  It had become very painful, I kept dropping things and the cortisone injections were awful.  Once the joint had started deteriorating, it seemed to pick up speed, even surprising the surgeon.

The recovery is much worse than i thought it would be, fingers crossed it'll be worth it.

Thanks for the advice on the gloves, definitely getting some of those.  The cold doesn't agree with my hands, I have pairs of woollen gloves all over the place and in the car for when they get cold and achy.  The arthritis gloves sound great.

Hope you're well.

Hi there

Thanks for your response and advice.

Third time! You have my deepest sympathy.

Hadn't thought of taking painkillers before doing the exercises, I'll try that.  I can fully understand some people not wanting to do the physio.  Its very frustrating, by the end of the repetitions the pain doesn't ease up but I can move a little bit further.  however, later on when I repeat them, I can barely move the thumb again.  I feel like I'm not getting anywhere.  Does it happen suddenly and the thumb becomes more flexible?

How long before you could use your hand and return to work?

Thanks

I go  to see my physio every week, who measures the angles I have achieved and sets me new exercises to do, how often do you see your physio. I can tell slightly, but when she measures the angles then I really know how well I am doing. 

Yes it does get stiff, especially in the morning, but as the day goes on I work on it and get it loose again. As each day goes by, little by little I get more movement. I was using my finger immediately after the stitches came out but only very gently. 

I had my left thumb done yesterday and have to see my hand therapist today. Not hanging around that is for sure. Some pain this morning, but not too bad considering.  i know that the temporary cast wii be replaced by an adjustable one, as that is what happened with my right thumb. The will measure all the angles etc and get me started on movement exercises straight away.  yep it will hurt but my outcome on the previous procedure was very good.

Hand therapist w/in 2 days of surgery.  That's fast but if it works, that's what counts.  I like the idea of an adjustable cast (guess you mean one that is open a bit on one side - splint?)  That would be so much more comfortable.  My doc had planned for that but because of stupid thin bones chose the hard cast. Maybe with the other one, but hopefully not for a long time.

Great to hear others have good outcomes with this procedure.  Not fun, but sure better than the pain and limitations prior to the surgery.

Continued success with your recovery.  Please keep us updated so others will feel hopeful. 

Yes, sorry i meant a splint.  already doing some mild exercises, but it is damn sore today, quite a degree of swelling, which is normal and a lot of bruising up the arm where the tendon was harvested. that is not sore but just ugly.the actual pain is where the trapezium was removed.

As you know, that swelling takes a good while to go down. And I'm sure you haven't forgotten the soreness will also be there for some time. Most folks (me included) had no idea how long it actually takes for this to return to normal (or it's new normal); and I sure had no idea it takes 12-18 months for a fractured wrist to recover fully, which is still my biggest issue.  I didn't have a scar on the arm for tendon harvest.  Not sure why.  Just a funny scar where the trapezium was removed and a scar on the palm side of the thumb, which is still sensitive.  Dr. said the thumb had fused and if I understand correctly, that scar was to free up the thumb.  Said he used cartilage to connect the thumb to ...whatever (fingers?)   All I know is, it worked!  The body is an amazing thing and I'm in awe at what GOOD doctors can do when things go wrong.

The worst is over for you now so hang in there and hopefully each day will be a bit better than the day before.

Thanks Linda, yes the body is an amazing unit the way that it heals itself. My surgeon has performed 4 procedures on my hands and shoulders, he really knows his stuff.