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I'm weighing up surgery on my thumb joints

Posted , 148 users are following.

caringbah
caringbah

I have osteo arthritis of both thumb joints. I'm 70, still very active ( currently on a skiing holiday) and work full time in my business. My condition is getting increasingly painful. I get by with painkillers. I have seen a surgeon but I'm really concerned about the long recovery time. 

Has anyone here had basal thumb surgery and if so would you mind describing...briefly...what the surgery and recovery like and any complication. I would be most grateful.

Cheers. 

10 likes, 917 replies

917 Replies

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  • robbybaby
    robbybaby caringbah

    Posted

    This Wednesday on the 11th, I am going to have my thumb done.

    Kinda scared, but, need it done, so tired of the pain.

    I work with my right hand because I am right handed, its going to be done on my right hand-I build doll houses and doll house furniture, and i'm not going to allow it to effect my life and my work.

    Please wish me luck, I need it so bad.

    I'm an idiot, started something so small that turned out so big.

    ugh, such as life. well, best of luck to those who are about to go through it as well!

     

    • Donna7349
      Donna7349 robbybaby

      Posted

      Good luck.  I had it done 9 weeks ago on My right hand which is my dominant hand. I Was immobilized 5 weeks, did some strengthening exercises with OT for the next 4 weeks, and Just started my strengthening.  The surgery was not as bad as I thought. I had prepared for the very worst.  The strengthening exercises are very hard and very painful.  Good luck to you. Keep us posted. 
    • diane70308
      diane70308 robbybaby

      Posted

      Good luck... please keep us posted... I have mine planned for August 15
  • caringbah
    caringbah

    Posted

    Update: it’s about 3 yrs since I started this thread. My thumbs are getting worse (surprise) but I’m still not happy with the common “anchovy” method. My main objections are the very long recovery time and hit and miss outcomes. 

    Ive tried a number of non surgical interventions with varying degrees of success. 

    I have read about arthroscopic surgery for the CMC joint. Advantages are short recovery ....six weeks for complete recovery. It’s a day proceedure and it’s covered by health insurance.

    Ive booked myself in to see a surgeon in Melbourne for early September. This will be an initial consultation only. If anyone is interested in this proceedure, PM me and I’ll send you a couple of links or you can research it yourself. Just google and YouTube “arthroscopy for CMC joint”

    • peter34761
      peter34761 caringbah

      Posted

      Well mate, I have had both done with the anchovy method, and I could not be happier. If you get a reputable surgeon, I cannot see why the outcome would not be successful.  The longer you wait, the worse the joint becomes and the chances of an unsuccessful outcome increase.  It is logical if there is so much more work to be done that this increases the chance of associated problems.

      Just my 2 Bob's worth. 

    • Donna7349
      Donna7349 caringbah

      Posted

      I’m anxious to hear how this goes. I am going to google the links.  How do you personal messsge on here?  

        I thought I had thoroughly researched and tried everything from antiinflamatories to Pt to Accupuncture, steroid injections, supplements, ice, heat, you name it.  Nothing worked and I finally thought the the long recovery was better than how I was living in so much pain and unable to do so many things.   I had the cmc anchovy procedure done 12 weeks ago.  I know Dr said 6-12 months for full recovery but I thought most people on here said 3 months and they we’re back to normal activity.  I’m still in a lot of pain.  It really feels no different from prior to sugery.   I am especially feeling LOTS of pain in forearm and now my finger joints are all really hurting .   They never hurt before.  I’m following EVERY direction and advice the dr and  pt has suggested.  Any one else have the ongoing forearm pain  and NEW finger joint pain after surgery.  Any advice or encouragement would be so appreciated. Thank you 

    • diane70308
      diane70308 caringbah

      Posted

      Was curious as too your B3 supplements and if they helped. I have decided on the arthoscopic Stablyx procedure. Starting with the left thumb August 15. Doesnt seem to be much posted about the Stablyx but doctor is confident and the research I have been able to find has been positive. Good luck and keep you us posted!!
    • geraldine03791
      geraldine03791 Donna7349

      Posted

      Hi Donna - I am not far behind you, into week 9 post surgery, I too had the anchovy method - I am having good days and pad days, my physio came yestday and added a few more exercises and this morning swelling in my fingers (isn;t there a song there somewhere ha ha),wrist and forearm aching and I always have swelling at the base of my thumb.  This morning seems worse, however I know that once I heat my hand and do my exercises the swelling will get better throughtout the day.  The forearm pain is normal and also the swelling in the fingers so my physio says, maybe I am luckier than you as some mornings I am not so bad, I am wondering if the extreme heat has any effect.  Keep in touch Donna, maybe we can progress together.  

      I am thinking maybe the patients like us do not like to say too much on here because they feel embarrassed with all the guys who areprogressing faster.  Remember we are not all in the same age group!!

      Take care and hope all will change very quickly!!

       

    • peter34761
      peter34761 Donna7349

      Posted

      I know some people take longer than others, and it is probably dependent on the severity of the arthritis damage to the trapezium and surrounds. I am now 4 months since my 2nd op and in all honesty, I would not know there had been an operation, no pain, swelling or any of that stuff, it is pretty well like a new joint, and my original op on the right thumb is 18 months and it is perfect.

      Granted the 2nd one is not as strong as the first, but it is at the same point as the first was after 4 months.  I guess all you can do is give it more time, sorry I am not much help in this regard, but I can only call it as it has happened in my instance.

      When you look at the operation, it is very intrusive, and this in itself requires a lot of post op recovery.

    • Rodann25
      Rodann25 Donna7349

      Posted

      Hi Donna,

      So sad to hear your in pain and not getting the recovery others have had and you were expecting. It is a difficult decision, haven't had the op yet, keep putting it off. Surgeon only does tendon harvest anchovy, why can't we find good stats on mini trapeze vs tendon procedure? Hang in there, others have reported a long recovery and more time to heal with good results. Keep us informed, thanks for update,

      Roger

    • caringbah
      caringbah Donna7349

      Posted

      Hi Donna, to PM you just click on my name...very easy. 

      I am so sorry to hear of your pain after your surgery. I guess that’s why I’m reluctant to proceed with the “anchovy” method. The results seem so hit and miss. 

    • caringbah
      caringbah diane70308

      Posted

      Hi Diane, I’m about 6 weeks into the B3 process. I’m taking large amounts ...at least 6gm per day in hourly doses. There is definite improvement but nothing sensational as yet. The literature says that you need at least three months. 

      I emailed the Stablyx people but received no reply. I wanted to see if there were any practioners in Australia. 

      Ive been looking at the arthroscopy method for some time...it seemed too good to be true to me but I at least will fly down to Melbourne and have the initial consultation. A 6 week full recovery time has to be way better than a year. 

    • diane70308
      diane70308 caringbah

      Posted

      Please keep me posted and I will do the same. Hopefully you will get a reply about Stablyx.

      Here's to better days!👨??🥂

  • KarlenZ
    KarlenZ caringbah

    Posted

    I had the CMC anchovy procedure removing the trapezium etc and also a thumb arthrodesis (Fusion with pin insertion in my thumb - this due to thumb joint shot from injuries arthritis etc) . On the whole this being 2 procedures in one was a little more painful than I thought. Was in huge cast for first 10 days then in a cast 4 weeks. Then cast and pin removal. When I began in Occupational therapy I could not bend my fingers fully (altho had been moving them some). I did my exercises and now at 11 weeks post op I can touch my thumb to all my fingers on that hand (altho thumb to little finger still a stretch). I still don't have strength altho that's improving. What's weird is my left hand is noticeably smaller (palm and fingers, wrist) than my right showing how much muscle strength was lost but will return through continuing my exercises. I wear my thumb wrist brace as needed ... And since we're moving wear it to protect things. In that light there are evenings when my pain returns and gets to a 4 from all the activities of packing etc. I still have a little numbness on my thumb but that's improving too. Finally I had some bad scar tissue issues swelling etc and have been faithful in doing scar tissue massage which is painful but my scar tissue issue has improved a lot.

    My occupational therapist has been great and her main advice was slow and steady, protect as needed. She also said my surgeon is of the theory that the initial therapy is to regain range of motion, work on scar tissue etc, but as far as building strength that will come back gradually as you are naturally able to do more activity with the increase in the range of motion and decrease in pain.

    Hoping things get better for you.

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