I had lower thumb joint replacement on both hands. That joint is called silastic trapezium. It was very painful and took lots of therapy to regain full use but they are fine now. One is artificial joint and the other was built from my own tendon, but they both work as good as new. Worth the pain!

Not yet, but it will be a reality for me too in the future. I had shoulder surgery and a 6 month wait for full use, so to me it will be worth the wait for the thumb surgeries too :D:D:D