I'm weighing up surgery on my thumb joints

Hi Sammy - I saw 2 different surgeons down here in Los Cabos, Mexico and they both told me that as I had bone on bone steroid injections would not work, plus steroids can really mess with you mentally!  Good luck but the sooner you have the op the sooner you will be back to enjoying life.  I am now 4.5 weeks poat op, but have had to keep plaster on for 6 weeks, this is the way they believe is better - shall let everyone know what I think after 12 July!!  All the best let me know your decision!

Thanks Geraldine I am going to go back to my gp and ask for second opinion. I was told that it is bone on bone so I wonder if I am being experimented on because it has been written down as diagnostic whereas I want treatment not to be monitored

Hi Sammy - I think it is always best for second opinons - good luck - let us know how you get on

 

I'm a musician and entering week 3 as of yesterday.

I notice that despite the hassle and expected Post Op pain, as I'm sitting here, the Surgery Thumb (right) hurts LESS than the Non Treated Thumb (left).  It's a freaking hassle to have thumb immobile but WOW - the pain that was just well- THERE all the time- it's not there.

Hmmm!

 

It sounds so far do good!  I know everything takes time but already less pain that’s great! I’m probably going to wish I had this done sooner, pleAse keep me posted on your recovery and if we both get to a really good place I’ll send you a utube of me playing)I’m sure with a few mistakes) I’m not a professional but I have been playing guitar for about 3 years recently and as a teenager. Music is just what heals the soul and is pure magic. Let the fairy dust sprinkle on us all🎸🎼🎺tried to find a flute but couldnt

Does anyone know how to post a question on here without replying to someone specific?  

At top of this page, click on Osteoarthritis heading and you will see the option to start a new discussion.

Had mine done 4 weeks ago. I am now in the tiniest of little braces just on my hand. I look like I'm wearing a little Michael Jackson glove. Trust me I wish I had done this 5 years ago! It is not as terrible as it sounds. Honestly it goes really fast and if you do the little little exercises your physical therapist tells you to do you'll be better in no time. You will be glad you did this! I am so glad I did! As soon as I can I'm going to get my left hand done. Courage my friend. When I woke up my pain in my surgery hand was not the same as my pain in my non surgery hand. Trust me it's the right thing to do!

Dianne! It was so worth it! After 4 weeks I'm in a tiny little brace it's just fits over my hand and lets me bend my wrist. I'm shocked that it's gone so fast. The pain is much less than it was before I had the surgery. I do feel a little weak and wobbly in my wrist but that's okay my physical therapist says it's normal. Just know that it's for the best. I wish I had done this much much sooner. It's certainly easier than I thought it was going to be. The first couple of weeks are a bit of a pain in the ass, but if you get something to put over your hand so you can shower and if you have folks helping you prepare meals a little bit, you'll be fine. I went to work about 5 days later and it's all been just great. Right now I am using a pen my fingers not my thumb in order to write my patient notes. Don't be afraid!

My whole life evolves around me using my hands, not just my job but my passion and how I support my family.  Both hands need doing, the surgeon is injecting into the joint ever 12 weeks which can’t be good for me.  

Reading your posts is making me feel more confident. Thank you all.  My job is like a hairdresser but in the competitive world I’ve worked 18 years to get to the peak and now I’m there my hands are letting me down it’s so sad and very frustrating. 

Hi dwest and Diane further up.  I am now 2nd full day out from cmc arthroplasty. I live in ontario canada so name of procedure may be different. I have had hand pain for about 4 years - pretty sore thumb/wrist and X-ray shows no cartilage - just bone on bone. I had been wearing splints both hands, taking meds for pain and steroid injections. I could have taken a couple more injections before my surgery choice but I am over 60, just semi-retired and love to play with grandbabies, garden, piano. I needed both done which will take a total of 1-2 years for hopefully less pain and mobility. Anyway, left done, not dominant as decision based on lets try this one first. Procedure called cmc thumb arthroplasty but my surgical group do not use a tendon - anchovy roll up in space. They tell me my placing pins or rods along space and allowing my own scar tissue to fill the area provides better support overall and one less procedure to harvest tendon. Not seen traditionally on my search. Well today , 2 nights out, I am feeling better than I thought. I had a general, no nerve block and local to allow me a few hours without pain kicking in. I had minimal pain with more after 24 and with some Percocet and anti inflammatory I am better than I thought I would at this stage. I certainly ache and feel sore but tolerable. One trick. Keep hand above heart all the time and I use a sling if walking about. Elevate arm in bed. I cannot ice as cast is bulky combo of splint, bandage and plaster. In another7 days this cast off and another lighter one on. Not sure when pins come out but I believe for another 4 weeks until removable splint. 

I would be happy to help with comment or questions. Figuring things out as I go. 

Kelly

 

It gets better every single day!

Hi Kelly,

I see you didn't have tendon harvest/anchovy, my surgeon is planning to do the tendon roll up. I'm in Ontario also, where are you located? I'm not sure what to do?

Roger

Hi roger

i am pecking at the keyboard so pls forgive errors. I am in Markham area. Plastic surgeon performed this. My rheumatologist recommended having the surgery as I was never going to keep up with the pain and this condition will never get better on its own. I researched the procedures and assumed the anchovy tendon roll would be performed. My doctor and his partner do not do it this traditional way. He is confident this is the new way to go. The literature suggests the older standard is very successful. I am in more pain today. Surgery was late Thursday under general. Taking meds and keeping on top of it. No way to ice as cast is large with plaster. Elevation is very important. I would work with the surgeon you like and trust. Like most things in life there are more than one way to achieve the outcome. Happy to help with my experience thus far. K

I have had both hands done with the Anchovy procedure and absolutely no issues.  From what I can gather this procedure is pretty well guaranteed for over 20 years which should see me out.