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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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  • cathy74494
    cathy74494 caringbah

    Posted

    Did you have the surgery from 3 years ago? I just joined this group and just read your post from 3 years ago. I’m contemplating thumb fusion and am interested to know what surgery you had. Thanks.
    • kate63976
      kate63976 cathy74494

      Posted

      No Cathy. I was advised to have surgery from a hand specialist but resisted.  I then saw an article on TV about plasma replacement therapy (PRP) and have been having that regularly since then. Initially I had 3 injections of my own plasma inserted into my thumb joints over a period of 6 weeks (every two weeks) and then approximately once every 4 to 5 months. Initially thought it was not working but after about 7 weeks noticed I had no pain and full mobility. Have been having it regularly since then.  Sometimes I have let it go a bit longer but then have had to have one injection followed by an additional injection two weeks later. I also take turmeric and 3 capsules of rosehip every day. I live in Sydney, Australia and the cost here is $A235 per session and our healthcare system rebates some of it. Hope this has been helpful. My hope was to use the PRP until it got bad enough to try stem cell therapy. I have to mention that it does hurt at the time but really 30 seconds of pain gives me months of painfree time. 

      Cheers

      Kate

    • caringbah
      caringbah cathy74494

      Posted

      Hi Cathy, 

      No I have not....what puts me off is the long recovery time. 

      I have decided to follow Kate’s option of PRP treatment. I have booked myself in to a clinic in Brisbane for the first week in September for my initial consultation. 

       

    • cathy74494
      cathy74494 kate63976

      Posted

      Wow.  I need to check into PRP. I’ve been getting cortisone injections in 3 joints in my hand for the past couple of years and the one in my thumb isn’t helping any more. I’ve got to do something else.  My specialist had suggested thumb joint fusion but I hate the thought of losing mobility in my thumb. Although, I can’t use it much anyway. Any pressure on the joint causes tremendous pain. I’m 67 years old, live in the US in Kansas and a retired legal assistant so the years of mistreating my hands have taken a toll on the joints.  Thanks so much for your information. It’s something to consider. Take care.
  • susie0117
    susie0117 caringbah

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I had the surgery in March. The surgery was not bad. I had the cast on for 7 weeks and then began OT. The therapy was painful. But at month 4...i felt so much better. I'm 5 months out and so happyI've had it done. 95% pain free. I had been able to do everything now for a month or so. Including working out st the gym... full mobility.

    I was dealing with so much pain daily. The therapy was painful as you have to get the thumb and wrist working again. But if i need to do the other one...i will definitely do it. It gives you your life back!

    • peter34761
      peter34761 susie0117

      Posted

      I totally agree, I really believe that waiting for alternative therapies to work is probably a waste of time.  I have had both done and not looked back.  I reckon the recovery time is well worth it.  What is the point of going through extra years of pain hoping that an alternative will come, when this procedure does work and is available now. Yes you hear stories of people that have had this and it has gone pear shaped, but in all surgeries there is this potential, but I believe these instances are quite rare.
    • geraldine03791
      geraldine03791 peter34761

      Posted

      Peter really the guys who are havig PRP therapy are winning, you reallyhave to look up all, this is not surgery and stem cell with PRP is the big reward, in 10 years please research it. I am at week 13 and I am still in agony, I have PT 3 times a week, therapist is reallypleased with me, but the painis excrutiating at times, I will definitely havestem cell next time around!!
    • caringbah
      caringbah peter34761

      Posted

      Hi Peter, in Kate’s case it was not a waste of time. She is pain free and has injections every 4 to 5 months. 

      I really don’t think you should be bagging other people’s choice of treatment. This is something you seem to like to do. 

    • peter34761
      peter34761 geraldine03791

      Posted

      I really needed this to happen pretty quick, I believe the stem cell is quite expensive which immediately put me out of the equation. This procedure worked for me so I am happy with that.  However if they get their act together with stem cells to repair lost taste buds and saliva glands destroyed by radiation therapy, I will definitely be all for that, but I am not holding my breath on that one.
    • geraldine03791
      geraldine03791 peter34761

      Posted

      Actually even now stem cell can work out cheaper- I am not sure how old you are but yes stem cell is definitely the way to go and if anyone is able to have this therapy it is certainly the best way to go.

       

    • linda01827
      linda01827 caringbah

      Posted

      I didn't feel Peter was "bagging other people's choice of treatment".  I think it's good for people to know there can be positive outcomes from different options.  When people come here and ask, they likely appreciate knowing the results, good or bad, patients have experienced with different types of treatment.  And in some cases, options are limited.  I certainly wouldn't tell anyone what treatment they should choose, but hearing experiences from different people is added information for someone trying to make a decision.

      Good luck to all with the treatment of your choice.

    • peter34761
      peter34761 caringbah

      Posted

      Mate,  I am most definitely not bagging other peoples choice of treatment, all I am trying to say is this form worked for me. 
  • YerkesDodson
    YerkesDodson caringbah

    Posted

    Hey all! I am on week 10 and I'm pain free and without a brace! I'm able to do most ANYTHING and most importantly, PLAY MY FLUTE which I hadn't played in a year. You guys i was so worried but it's the BEST decision I've ever made. I can't wait until November to do my other hand!!!

    • linda01827
      linda01827 YerkesDodson

      Posted

      Yerkes,      Good for you!  My surgery was a year ago this month and it's been good for quite a while now.  I was thrilled to have the octave reach back on the piano.  Not in any hurry to do it again but if it becomes necessary on the other hand, I won't hesitate as long as the same ortho is available.     Different folks prefer different treatment and that is certainly fine; but I'm very happy w/ the outcome of surgery.

  • caringbah
    caringbah

    Posted

    Yerkes, I am  VERY happy for you and all the others who have had successfull surgery. But there are plenty of others who have had miserable outcomes some of whom end up worse  off than when they started. 

    I am not prepared to take that risk. Everyone is different, everyone responds differently to treatment. 

    Cheers 

    • YerkesDodson
      YerkesDodson caringbah

      Posted

      Oh of course! I wasnt meaning to denigrate your choice of therapy at all. I am just so glad that ANY therapy worked in my case bc honestly I didn't have much hope for myself. No matter what the treatment we choose, what's critical is that we try something. I'm so excited to see everyone here weighing options and taking steps to truly improve well being. Xoxoxoxo

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