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.
Hi Caringbah. I too have OA in both thumb joints but haven't been offered or considered surgery yet. I did research the possibility at a time when both (particularly the right hand) were so painful I was at my wits end and very restricted in what I could and couldn't do on a daily basis. Have a look at the Arthritis Foundation website where there is some easily understood info on thumb surgery, listing all types and their pros and cons. For me personally, I've decided to avoid it presently until and unless it gets so bad I can't manage my life. In the interim, do try some natural remedies for inflammation - like fresh ginger, or curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), both have helped me cope with the pain better. Good luck in whatever you decide. xx
Hello Caringbah, I have had bone fusions done in both my thumbs. They are done as day surgery, and the aneasthetic is a pain block, they injected me in my neck and the whole arm then becomes totally dead for hours. I had a plaster on for two weeks, after which the stitches come out, and then a new plaster for another four weeks. Of course it is very restricting, no driving, and awkwardly trying to do things with only one hand, but I have to say the end result is worth it. OK I still don't have a strong grip, and like before the ops, I still can't open jars, etc. However what I don't have is the constant pain, it is such a relief. If you have someone who can assist you while you are in plaster, I would say it is well worth having the op. Hope this helps, Madeleine.
Thanks Madeline and Loxie. The surgeon wants to remove the trapezoid bone. It seems to be a very common surgical procedure for this condition but there seems to be a very lengthy recovery period. 6 -12 months. The loss of strength doesn't worry me too much as I have little strength anyway because of the pain.
There is a lady on you tube who documents her recovery on a week by week basis for four months....it was horrific...infections and complications. She stressed that she was a worst case scenario but in the end ...4 months....she was happy with the result.
hi caringbah. Yes, I read that the removal of the trapezoid bone does incur a very long recovery. Is there no less invasive option available? I have friends in the states and they apparently only do this procedure as a last resort, with other options considered first, ie arthroplasty. Full removal of the trapezium does seem to come with a high risk of complications but I guess is sometimes the only option for pain relief.
I haven't had my thumbs done but I have had two finger joint replacements, and the answer to am I happy, is that I have had 2 done!!
Ask yourself this question, do you want to continue taking painkillers for the rest of your life? what happens when the painkillers stop working? ask the surgeon is there a point where he can't operate, that is certainly the case with finger joints, I almost left this one too long and it wasn't painful.
I looked at the recovery time as short term pain for long term gain. Its wonderful, I am pain free. There will always be scare mongers who tell you their horror stories, but for every 1 of them there are a 1000 happy people, us happy people never tell our stories.
I live on my own so only having one hand was very difficult indeed but I managed. I would go for it and look forward to your new pain free life. Bets of luck
Hi mate had mine done 6 weeks ago, and would say it's been hardest op I've had yet. Both knees left shoulder replaced and left big toe fused.
The op involved numbing my arm with injections to arm pit then surgery lasting about an hour or more.
Then I've had a good bit of pain every day since op, go for pot off on Wednesday, then splint on for 4 week. If you want me to update just ask and I'll gladly keep you informed. I'm 64 with Psoriatic Athritis, and Chronic Pancreatitis
Thanks Kevin
Ps YouTube have the op on video if your ok watching. Good luck
I've been offered this in both thumbs and all fingers to be fused, I'm still thinking as it would mean possibly a year out of my life for recovery
Hi well post op and 8 weeks later thumb pain has gone however I've now got Athritis in my wrist I think due to me having thumb in cast and casing for 6 weeks. Which is almost as bad as my thumb pain , I know I've Athritis all over and this new Athritis might have come on anyway
So caring bag, did you get the surgery and if so how are you doing? I am scheduled for mine in 6 days and was wondering if you would care to comment on your progress.
My apology for the wrong name, my tablet sometimes has a mind if it's own and as you can see the wrong name is typed! Ugh!
So caringbah, did you get the surgery and if so how are you doing? I am scheduled for mine in 6 days and was wondering if you would care to comment on your progress.
Hi Jeannie...i laughed when i saw your post...no need to apologise. I live in a suburb of Sydney called Caringbah.
No, i haven't had the surgery. I'm coping with painkillers and an amazing cream called.....something. I can't name it otherwise it'll be canned...see above.
Im also looking into a stem cell process which i can't name either. Basically i'm desperately trying to avoid surgery. My main concern is the long recovery time. Two thumbs means at least a year for full recovery. I'm 71 and work full time in my business and love to hike and ski. A year is too big a slice of what fully active life i have left.
PM me if you want more info on my alternative strategy.
I really wish you well with your surgery and praying for a great outcome for you.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Peter
Sorry to hear that Woody. Thanks for the update.
Its stories like yours that are keeping me from surgery...ill stay on the painkillers until they can't handle the pain anymore.
Its the long recovery time and unintended consequences that i'm afraid of.
I find surgeons can be very cavalier about the post operative period.
My sister is s nurse who works for an orthopedic surgeon.
She has bad arthritis in her hands but is afraid of surgery like i am.
Best wishes
I'm actually having second thoughts as well now that I see the recovery time. I know everyone is different and heals differently but I too am no spring chicken and thinking of possibly losing a year makes me wonder. I am so tired of the constant pain though! What to do, what to do???
Jeannie, I understand. I guess it all depends on the level of your pain. Private message me and i'll tell you about some promising alternatives to surgery that i'm investigating.
I know it sounds stupid but that cream i was telling you about works really well for me...there's over 12000 positive reviews. It reduces my need for painkillers. Doctors are using it for themselves and reccomending to their patients.
Hi caringbah,
I am new to the group and needing the basal joint surgery too. I also have a full time business that requires me to lift and tough to find help. My pain is only bad if I move in a strange way or take off the brace. I don't know how to PM you on this site. Please feel free to PM me too. I am 63 and scared about the surgery. My kids are pushing to forward but are they going to be here to help? Probably not. My thing is this...lost my other full time job in July and I have full coverage insurance with no deductable to pay for the rest of the year, which means surgery is fully paid for. I have heard good things, but scared about the recovery. I even spoke tand therapist I used previously. She was very honest..said it hurts like heck and the recovery is rough but as long as you do your therapy you will be okay. Thank you for your comments and advice.
Its late at night here (Australia), i'll reply tomorrow.
Cheers
I'm scheduled to get the surgery this coming Wednesday and like a idiot I went to the Internet to research how the procedure is done and it's a lot more than I thought. I was having second thoughts as well but now that I've thought about things I want to be out of this pain and be able to do as I once did and live a normal life. I lost a great job making excellent money because of my hands and that's just not fair. My doctor says he can fix my hands with this surgery so I've decided to duck it up and trust that he will do what he says. I'm aware of the down time and I'm hating that but ultimately in the end it will be for the best. If I don't get the surgery done in time paralysis will start to be a issue as well. I don't know if you are aware of that. I'm a very independent person and honestly I'm not looking forward to having to depend on someone else to do things for me but for once I have to accept it. It's a hard decision but you have to make up your own mind how you want to live, with pain, or without. Good luck!
Jeannie
Hi jeannie5639,
Yes, I looked at the internet too...bad idea for me too. I too am having second thoughts, as I currently work for myself and 4 months is a LONG time with no money.
No I was not aware of the paralysis. My hand therapist from a different surgery did say that after a while my thumb will pull inwards and make it difficult to use my hand.
Plese let us know how your surgery goes. I will be very interested, since mine is scheduled for Dec.
I did just make an appiontment as a second opinion with a new doctor to ease my mind. It appears, they have some other, not so invasive way, to do this. I will let you know how the appointment goes. Unfortunately you are far away.
I will pray for success and for you to be great with minimal pain!