Any one have Hand Surgery ??
 

I just got back from the orthopedist (went for a shot) and they told me I need surgery to replace the joint at the base of my thumbs on both hands. I was wondering if anyone on the board has had the surgery -- how it went and how much mobility you have afterwards...

I am thinking of having the first surgery on the left hand to see how it goes and then having it on the right...

Thanks....

I have had carpel tunnel surg. on both hands...I have good mobility, except for the arthritis that is getting worse...
I recommend getting an excellent surgeon that specializes in hands...
The recovery is difficult..and painful at times....but well worth it in the end. I had let my hands go too long and have some permanant nerve damage. But, I am very grateful for all the mobility and feeling that I have.

I am very interested in this topic, as I have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in the thumb joints. This is *very* different from carpal tunnel (which I also have) and much scarier.

Years ago a friend ( who was a decorative painter) had those lower thumb joints replaced. For her it ended up being a good choice. However find a surgeon who specializes in this particular surgery. Then talk to real patients of that surgeon and find out pros and cons and how happy they are with that particular doc. Also I think trying it on your non-dominate hand first is very smart. Good luck.

Kat

Thanks. The thumb joints hurt like the devil, but I can use them. I don't want to do anything to loose the functionality I noow have but I would like to be able to do some hand work (like finishing the binding, knittiing, embroidering, etc) without almost crying from holding a needle.

Get a second opinion and then a third opinion!

I am watching as I am going to have my right hand - dominant hand done in the early spring. My left isn't anywhere near as bad as the right. I got shots in each joint. I was told they would take cartilage from my arm and turn it into something similar to the outer layer of bologna! Lol yup bologna is what the nurse said

That is exactly what I am going to have to have done. After talking to my regular doctor (he confirmed both hands are equally bad), I will be waiting until early 2013. DH has had eye surgery and other issues this year and needs to get so he can drive and assume some of the household chores. In addition, we have some young DGS that I want to be able to cuddle a little more while they are small.

The procedure is called Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition arthroplasty. I have to have a serious discussion about pain meds before the surgery since I am allergic to the meds they nromally use. I have read that the pain can last up to 12 weeks so I need to have some potential backup.

This is the best description that I have found of what the surgery entails.
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw003.htm

Featherweight just had her second hand done but I'm not sure she gets in this forum much anymore. I need my right thumb done and almost called the Doctor about it but talked to Featherweight and decided now is not the time. It takes a long time to heal.
after reading this "When the problem has caused the thumb to draw into the palm (thumb adduction contracture), surgery does not usually bring it back out, especially if the next joint further out on the thumb has stretched out and bent backward (thumb carpometacarpal hyperextension deformity)" it doesn't look good for me . that is what my thumbs are doing.

I had the thumb joint replaced in my left hand, just as you spoke of about 8 years ago. Mine was called a soft tissue joint replacement, as they take a tendon from the lower arm to make the new joint. I was in a cast for some time with a pin through the joint area, so that it wouldn't get floppy. The pin part was painful, but the joint works and doesn't hurt (except when the weather is about to change, and that isn't so bad. ) Mine was in the cast so long that the second joint doesn't bend any more, but it all works and doesn't limit my mobility at all. For me it was worth it, to get my grip back and the use of my left hand. I'd advise yiou to check out all your options (like it sounds you are) and choose a doctor and occupational therapist who does lots of these. The best of luck to you, and keep us posted.

I had surgery done many years ago...like 10 or more...it was called a CMC joint resection for osteoarthritis of the thumb joint. Here is a link that explains about it: http://www.eorthopod.com/content/res...roplasty-thumb

It was a tough recovery...and a long time before I had full use of it again. But I did eventually recover full use and really nothing I can't do with it, as long as I am careful and not overuse it. I never have had to have the other hand done so that is good. The one I had done was my dominant right hand. I had an excellent hand surgeon to do my surgery-we are very fortunate to have a hand and upper extremity surgery clinic in our town.

Mine was done out-patient, I did not have to stay over in the hospital. And I had it done in summer, so was a good time to not have to worry about too much clothes/dressing which was really difficult. My husband was a big help. And so were my boys. You will have to have someone available to help for quite awhile.

I had this surgery done a few years ago..made a big difference for me. I was wearing ugly hard braces on my hands for years and the time finally came... I did have my right hand done first and as it turns out I use the left so much less now that I don't have to even wear the brace on the left now. I fell and broke my hand on the small finger side while it was in the cast(first time my hand doc ever saw that!!) so it took more therapy after but it was worth it.