I'm weighing up surgery on my thumb joints

Creams won't work waste of your money , you will struggle for a couple of months after surgery but the pain will far out way your gain, I've had multiple joint replacements, tried creams injections etc all that they do is give short relief. You won't look back once you've had your surgery.

Thank you. Was not looking for any kind of cream ,already had many injections .they are just temporary relief. Got my surgical clearance today..now I have to wait just 13 more days..thank you for your input! Much appreciated.

I was a hairstylist for years. I had the surgery in August on the left-hand. I just had it two weeks ago and my right hand. Left hand is not close to 100% it's about 70 but I could cut her hair before I got my right hand operated on. I think you be happy you did it but the recovery seems to me like it's going to be six months to a year. That doesn't mean that there is a complete inability to use your hand it just means it's a lot of physical therapy I do at home. Every damn wrap my hand in warm towels for 10 minutes and then I work my thumb. I also went on Amazon and bought some big steely marbles to work in my hand throughout the day and I have some magnets that I used too.

 

I am having my first surgery on my dominant hand Jan 13th...I will only have one week off work - am an accountant.  Is that photo just the initial splint prior to the hard cast being on?  You have had that on for two weeks?  I was hoping to drive after one week, but not sure that looks doable with how your hand looks in the photo...was not expecting that, i guess.  very nervous, but I am only 52 and have to work 15 more years...cant imagine doing it with this wax braces on my hands and the pain.   Thanks for sharing!

I drive with it on but they put a splint on the first week that's big. Then I went in at week one and they put another splint on it's also big. I going today for a new one it based on my last experience I then went to the physical therapist and had then make me a very sleek one. I'm the same age I'm 53 and I'm still working. I'm kind of a tough old bird though

thanks - i am tough as well..lol  I am hoping to just power through it all...so the cast in the picture is the week two splint?  just want to clarify.  I was told I would have a splint for week one, then a hard cast for another 4 weeks, then a removable splint once the physical therapy starts...appreciate the info!  good luck with your recovery!  Judy

Hi Judith I had plaster cast 2 weeks then hard plastic cast for 4 weeks, then 2 weeks physio thumbs great now just issues with arthritis in wrist also my 71 year old mate is now pain free having taken 12 weeks to recover

Good luck Physio will help you lots

Each surgeon does it differently mine does the splint the new splint every week and then I had my physical therapist make me a custom splint.

Thanks so much for all your info. My doctor did Tell me it would be a full year. Before my hand felt "normal" . But anything is better than the pain before surgery. I am going to go on amazon and look for all rehab stuff

.thanks again I truly appreciate your input! 😊

Looks like January is a popular month, I have my right dominant thumb done on the 11th.  In addition I have had a broken finger on the same hand that never healed properly and the end of the finger is nearly at right angles, and gone all arthritic as well.  That is getting straightened, and the joing cleaned out and the end pinned as it is virtually useless as it is anyway.  It keeps getting in the way when I type, I was trained to touch type and it does not go onto the keys it is supposed to, which is a damn nuisance. So the right hand is getting a double whamee....That is certainly going to be a bit of a challenge..!!

good luck on the 11th.  Yes, I am anxious to get this over with on the 13th!  When I saw the picture of askmichelle's hand, it is not what I was expecting.    Happy new year everyone!

I wish you much luck! My surgery is on the 9th. I do hope your surgery goes well.. 

Thanks for the thoughts, likewise, all the best with yours, we really are all in the same boat, hopefully not the Titanic!!  seriously though I think the vast majority of these procedures are very successful.  All the best for the New Year.

Yes let's hope not the titanic! Lol..happy new year and good luck ..let me know how it turns out for you!

Yep, will keep all informed.

I had thumb basal reconstruction surgery with tendon as a bone replacement 1 yr ago on right hand. I regret it everyday. Thumb does not bend, I can not cut my food, zip my pants, tie my shoes etc.. I had a mini typrope put in to see if it would help. It did not.. don't have unless you have no other choice. I'm only 57 yrs old and permanently disabled now.

I was told I could drive as soon as the anesthesia wore off and I was comfortable with it.

I was only in the original splint for two weeks and a hard cast for two weeks. I am now about one month post surgery, with no cast, and I don't have to go to physical therapy, was told that I'm moving my joints good, and they gave me the exercises to do at home.

Wow...I have to stay in my splint for 3 months!!!

 

Best of luck on the 11th!!!

How are you doing . Pattiim232? Wasn't today the day?

-Michelle

Here is a photo taken tonight of both my right and left thumbs. I had left done Aug 19th and right Dec 16th.

 

Left thumb - operation Aug 19th,2016

Yes it was, surgery was at 7:15am I was done and home by 11:30 am.the first night was the worst. ( they did a block on my arm so no pain for the first 12 hours) Has gotten a bit better everyday! I am casted so that the tip of my thumb is exposed ,and all 4 fingers . I have gotten back all feeling in my fingers except my thumb. Has anyone experienced this? Almost like a numbness but hard to explain. But besides that all seems ok. 

glad to hear your surgery went well!  Mine is scheduled for 7am tomorrow am...trying to get everything done I can at work and home.  I will try to post update.

Yes. Same with mine. A couple of days and you will be able to feel. Sleeping is hardest. I didn't have intense pain. mostly sharp pains once in awhile 

How did your surgery go? Wasn't it on the 11th?

Please keep me posted on how u are doing. Hope all goes well!

Hi, it's been since Monday today is Friday and still no feeling in my thumb. How long did it take until the feeling came back in your thumb?

I certainly have all the feelings back in my thumb, mine was a general though. My middle finger was repaired at the same time and some sort of block/local was administered on that and it took 2 days to get feeling back on that.

It took a week or so on the first one and about 4 days on the second.

Thanks, I hope mine comes back. It feels like a bandaid is on my thumb to tight. ?? glad everyone's is doing good!!

had my surgery today still have the block until tomorrow morning everything went well I did not need a PIN as the cartilage from my arm looked good there was no cartilage between my thumb joint and hand and there were some stuff floating around in there so far it's not as bad as I thought but we'll see tomorrow morning slight tingling in my hand as if it's a sleep and it is and it feels like it weighs 800 pounds LOL will update in a few days I wish everyone else a speedy recovery

update - 10 days out.  got the cast on last thursday.  swelling was minimal as I kept it elevated with ice constantly for the first week.  yesterday was my first day back at work - long day!  It is not as bad as I thought - i  just do everything slow.  cast off on Feb 22nd, and then the removable splint and hand exercises start.  Got the german cream to use with the removable splint to aid healing.  recommend the carter elevation pillow - dont know how i would have kept my arm elevated without it.

Saw my hand therapist today, wants me to do thumb exercises 4 times a day already, includes thumb touching index finger, rotating the thumb both ways, Doing the thumbs up like you were trying to hitch a ride and finally mimicking holding a soft drink can, 10 reps of each. Did not think it would be possible seeing stitches only removed yesterday, but managed ok. Made it even more of a challenge as my middle finger was fused during the same op.  My hand looks a bit like lizard skin as it is shedding skin, needs to be moistened more I suppose.

Exactly like my experience. I'm 4 weeks post but at 2 wks cast off, exercises given, lots of skin peel. Still swollen a little. I didn't notice until someone mentioned it. There's a slight diff when I look at both thumbs side-by-side.

Wish I could have my cast off, but can only take off to do exercises, thereapist says at least another three weeks with the cast unfortunately.

my current cast can not be removed...will be on for 5 weeks (should be 4, but dr is out of town the 4th  week).  looking forward to the removable splint!

Mine is actually a splint, not a cast and hence removable.

Sorry about the image being inverted damn I-Phone!!

Glad to hear you are doing well..I'm hanging in there. Was worse surgery than I expected. Pain etc. I am 15 days out with my second cast. Tomorrow stitches removed and third hard cast. Still have 2 to go. Still no feeling in my thumb and lighting bolt pain .. hope it's not nerve damage. But keeping my chin up that as soon as I start therapy (3 weeks but who's counting..lol) this will just be a bad memory . And feeling will come back.

I trust all is ok.  Did your surgeon use a block or did you have a general? If a block that may be why the numbness.  I had a general and can confirm my thumb feels normal although I get pain still, but diminishing with time. Have not had any painkillers for 3 days now. It does hurt ehen doing the exercises though which is to be expected. It is funny the way different surgeons do things, my cast was off after 2 days and a splint fitted as shown. This is totally removable which is great when an itch occurs!!

Had to wash the area tonight, so took all dressings off, as you can see it is healing well after 2 weeks

It was a block. So I think that does explain it. Went yesterday he took stitches out and now put my 3rd and final cast on for the next 3 weeks. It's much shorter than the last. basically the top of my wrist to just below my nuckles .. it does hurt so he may have to change it. He also said I could drive if I felt ok to do so. Yes it is funny how your surgeon put you in a splint..wish I had chosen you're dr..lol.

when was ur surgery? Mine was on the 9th no painkillers since I believe the 12th. Just Motrin and Tylenol.

I was on 11th of January. As you can see from the photo I have the middle finger out of action as well, it has a separate splint.

Let me know your final outcome..good luck! 

Yep will keep all informed we are all members of the stuffed thumbs club

Lol...yes we are! 

Reporting back , I am 5 weeks out and finally brace is off for good! Still no feeling in my thumb but my surgeon assures me feeling will come back with therapy. I start 6 weeks of physical therapy twice a week tomorrow. My scars are doing great with massage and vitamin E oil. Still very sore ! but I know that this soon will be a bad memory. How are you doing?

I like you are 5 weeks out today, still have to wear splint when not at home, am doing exercises that hurt like hell, but a must if one is to heal properly. Scars are ok except for one bit that looks like something is pulling from below, so I will bring that up with the surgeon when I see him in 3 weeks. Pain wise not too bad, except when doing exercises, which is to be expected.  the hand therapist wants me to be able to touch the tip of my little finger with the tip of my thumb by 2 weeks time, I can touch the others, but still have about a cm to go to get to the little finger. It is slow, but I am hoping it will be all good in time. attached image of main scar.

Your scars look great. Mine look the same. I don't know how to attach picture   Here. Saw my hand therapist yesterday .i agree exercises hurt like hell! 15 min a day 4 to 5 times a day.

She put my brace back on and told me to wear except when doing exercises. I do feel more secure when it's on. Stay well and continue to do great and heal well!

Sounds good.  to add an image, click on the icon to the right of the smiley top right in the reply box.

Cheers

Peter

Saw the hand therapist today, only need to use the splint at night as required otherwise no requirement.  Still quite sore at times particularly in the area just below the thumb area where the ligament was pulled through.  It sort of burns if I use the thumb too much.  Therapist says normal, he is happy with my  range of movement and general pain.  Now have other exercises to do involving rubber bands from my thumb to the other side of my hand and stretching the band, bit of a challenge, but all designed to strengthen the whole area.  See the surgeon on Monday for his assessment.  Will keep in touch...

Good for you! Sounds as if it's coming along. I'm about at the same point you are.still a bit of swelling ,that may be why my thumb is still numb. Going to PT 2 times a week.

Also doing exercises 4times a day. My hand really let's me know when it's time to exercise. Continue to do well. I to will keep in touch.

Hi Michelle ,

 just wondering how you are coming along ? We had our surgerys around the same time . My thumb is still numb ,they assure me it will come back. I am a hairdresser so this is a nightmare for me. Can't go back to work if I can't feel my thumb. my hand is doing ok with lots of exercise and PT . 

 

Just reading your latest post.  Your thumb is still numb, that is really a bit of a worry I bet.  Funny thing tonight, just for fun, I grabbed the thumb that was operated on and rotated it around using my "good" hand, the degree of motion is quite amazing, must be because the Trapezium bone is no longer in place.  In actual fact I have more movement in the operated thumb than the other one, bizarre hey! Not sore at all doing that I must admit.  The exercises can be, but that is to be expected.

Hi Peter,

i am very happy for you! But me , it looks like I was on the titanic..😥(reply from one of your previous posts)I am exercising and doing all I am expected to do from the hand therapist. If you look at my hand it looks great scars are diminishing moving it to a degree. But my dumb numb thumb ,as I have so lovingly named it won't wake up? I am hoping when I see Dr this coming tuesday( I am in N.Y.) and we are expecting a snow storm ,just my luck!.) that he has answers for me . 

Pics of my hand .it looks great ,just wish it felt great!

Yeah, I feel for you on this one.  They reckon that there is a risk of nerve damage with this operation, looks as though you might have drawn the short straw in this case, although nerves can grow back it takes a lot of time I am led to believe.  I hope it is true, as I had cancer surgery in my mouth 7 years ago with the resultant follow up radiation which left me with zero taste and little or no saliva for swallowing etc.  Basically if I try to swallow anything other than mush, I choke, and in any case it has no taste anyway.  I was told that the taste buds can take up to 10 years to regenerate, but I am most definitely not holding my breath on that one.

So very sorry to hear that. I can not imagine what you have gone threw. Nerve pain is not fun. So I am learning. I will let you know what my dr says next week. Thanks for sharing your story. We all have one, don't we. Good or bad we all have one. 

Thanks peter ,

 

Reporting back, well I finally went to see a. Neurologist with not such great news , " unfortunately" he told me the nerve to my thumb was severely diminished. Not sure there is much they can do for this. I am so sad! Had such high expectations for this surgery .it hurts a lot and feels like my thumb weighs a ton . 

Had an EMG test in November my surgery was in January. Had yet another EMG ( nerve test) today and results where not good, has anyone out there experienced this? Or am I the only one on the planet who's surgery went bad? 

My EMG test in November was normal, my surgeon is no help he's not sure what went wrong. But according to him this is great therapy may help it come alive. 

Who knows.. ☹️

So sorry to hear this news. Apparently it is one of the possible issues with this surgery.  If a surgeon is capable, the chances of this happening should be minimal. I have some minor issues in that the thumb seems to be ultra sensitive but the general feeling is as it was before surgery.  I still get a pretty regular ache in the region of the surgery, but my guys said it could take up to 12 months for everything to get back to normal. Getting back to your nerve issues, apparently nerves can regenerate, but the process can be very slow.  So I would not throw the towel in yet, see what the neuro specialist has to say on that possibility.

Hi Patti, 

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. There are so many unforeseen consequences of surgery. I'll include you in my prayers. 

I had the left done Aug 16 and the right Dec. 16. The right is still numb. I rub it all the time as this is supposed to help. Overall I feel my thumbs look sort of odd and I still have pain in both. It is nothing like the pain before and I think I really did have few options. I don't feel I suffer now and I really did before. The pain and numbness for me are manageable. 

Michelle

 

Thanks everyone for answering me. The neuro specialist was very gloomy on it coming back .but like I said who knows .my favorite saying is " it is what it is"  thanks Peter .will be in touch

Thanks for the prayers ! Can use as many as I can get! 

Hey Everyone, I have an appointment with a dr in affiliated with NYC hospitals on this coming Monday. Hope he can give me some insight as to what happend . My surgeon has no idea what went wrong. All he told me was this has never happened to him before . Not very reassuring ! I did my research . But guess there are always better out there, . Hope you are all doing well. Will let you know how I make out!

I know that one of the possible problems with this surgery is nerve damage, but if a surgeon is capable and careful, this should not happen.  Obviously there was a stuff up in the procedure.  Maybe he had someone assisting in the procedure and that doctor made a mistake. There is an old saying that Doctors bury their mistakes, not very nice, but when they mess up they tend to stick together.

That does not help you though. 

Very true peter. Had my 2nd opinion he is not sure why this happened to me. He believes it will come back in 2to 3. Months ! Crossing fingers !!! so frighin painfull! wish I had never done this stupid surgery! Would never ever recommend to anyone! 

I think if it is nerve damage, your guy is the comsumate optimist, Nerves can heal, but can take years depending upon the severity etc.  I trust for your sake that he is on the money.  

Yep, mine still hurts in the wrist area, a pretty constant ache.  My hand thereapist is very happy, reckons it is normal and within 6 months all should be pain free, I can't wait.  I have pretty good pinch strength and flexibility I must admit.