Arthritis Foundation Forum / Surgery and Arthritis / Health and Arthritis Research News / CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer / Latest Posts

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:29:20 GMT

[quote][b]sandy v (11/15/2009)[/b][hr]Well you live and learn. I almost had the spacer done but didn't want to have to have it redone, so I told the doctor I wanted the best way and he said the lrti was the "gold standard". It's nice that you get to enjoy the holidays first and then you can leisurely recuperate. Don't overdo things too fast. I seem to remember from long ago posts that you may have forgot to take it easy :-)[/quote]Yeah, I probably got a little aggressive too early, but I honestly followed every direction the doctor gave me. He told me to do anything I wanted to do, and I did... :) It was actually reassuring to find out that my problems are being caused by my body's rejection of the Artelon rather than anything I may have done myself.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Leoni — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:08:19 GMT

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and am 24 days post thumb joint replacement op. Still in a plaster cast which comes off next week then physio starts. It's been really helpful to read all of your comments. Any advice about post op recovery would be very welcome. I guess it's a day by day thing and it must be different for everyone.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:09:41 GMT

Well you live and learn. I almost had the spacer done but didn't want to have to have it redone, so I told the doctor I wanted the best way and he said the lrti was the "gold standard". It's nice that you get to enjoy the holidays first and then you can leisurely recuperate. Don't overdo things too fast. I seem to remember from long ago posts that you may have forgot to take it easy :-)

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:20:44 GMT

That's great, Sandy! You've made my day! Man, my thumbs hurt a little worse every day it seems. I'm actually looking forward to the surgery on 12/28. Glad to know you're getting along so well. The doctor who's going to do my surgery says he has never heard of an LRTI having to be redone, which is also very encouraging. Wish I'd had it done in the first place - instead of the Artelon.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:45:09 GMT

Hi Elmer. I'm doing great. It's been about 6 weeks now and I've gone to physical therapy for 2 weeks and am pretty much out of the removeable splint, though I may wear it here and there for a bit longer. It feels great, just numb on the top side of the thumb and down to around the incision, but that will get better I'm sure. I am mostly working on range of motion for another month and then strength training after that. I can touch all fingers to my thumb as well as move my wrist pretty well with no pain. I can even work a pepper mill and hold tongs better, plus I can turn the key in the ignition. It gets better every day and I can honestly say it only hurt for the 1st 2 days after surgery, then was uncomfortable till the pins came out. The scars are healing well and there's really no swelling. I think you'll be able to heal up before you know it. I am really pleased at how easy it was. I just don't think I would take a chance with any heavy lifting for a little while.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:58:53 GMT

[quote][b]sandy v (10/20/2009)[/b][hr]Hi Elmer...I'm doing ok. The 2 ugly pins in my hand pull if I move my fingers the wrong way so I can't really do too much with that hand.But it's amazing all the things I can do with my non dominant hand, except for writing. I go back on the 30th hopefully to get these pins out and then I should feel better.I'm sorry you had bad luck with the spacer. I told my doctor I didn't want to take a chance with that. You'll be a pro at dealing with this when you have your surgery done again. I have to say one of things that help me quite a bit was a square of silicone (sold as a jar opener). I use it to open all types of pill bottles or water bottles,etc. I put the bottles on the square and that holds it steady while I open with my good hand.[/quote]Hey, Sandy! How's it going by now? Get the pins out yet? I've had trouble logging in to this site for some reason, but everything seems to be working now. I'm having my left thumb done with the LRTI on 12/28. What are they telling you about recovery time? I'd like to think my left thumb would be doing well enough by March to get my right one done.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:18:31 GMT

Hi Elmer...I'm doing ok. The 2 ugly pins in my hand pull if I move my fingers the wrong way so I can't really do too much with that hand.But it's amazing all the things I can do with my non dominant hand, except for writing. I go back on the 30th hopefully to get these pins out and then I should feel better.I'm sorry you had bad luck with the spacer. I told my doctor I didn't want to take a chance with that. You'll be a pro at dealing with this when you have your surgery done again. I have to say one of things that help me quite a bit was a square of silicone (sold as a jar opener). I use it to open all types of pill bottles or water bottles,etc. I put the bottles on the square and that holds it steady while I open with my good hand.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:10:38 GMT

[quote][b]sandy v (10/18/2009)[/b][hr]Where is everybody??????[/quote][size=3]Here I am! Here I am! Over here in the corner with the sore thumbs. ;-) How's your LRTI thumb doing, Sandy? I'm starting to really look forward to getting mine done in December. [/size]

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:27:44 GMT

Where is everybody??????

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:45:23 GMT

Hi guys. I've been reading your posts for months and am glad to see some more of the regulars checking back in again. I just had the LRTI procedure done on my dominant hand on sept 30. I had the stitches out on 10/15 and still have 2 ugly pins under the bandages. I'm hoping to have the same success as you Kieye and I wish Elmer well on his future surgery. This website tells it like it is and really let me know what to expect. I think my hand is hurting more now that the stitches are out than before.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:03:54 GMT

[size=3]Elmer, sorry you have to have your hands done again. What a bummer. We all thought the artelon spacer made sense, a good bone doesn't have to come out like in the LRTI procedure. Sure hope you come out as well as I did when I had the LRTI done on my right thumb.Penelope, My doctor told me on the first visit with him that surgeons have been doing surgery on the thumb for 30 yrs and they have yet perfected it. By having the surgery, you are hoping to eliminate all or half the pain to improve mobility. He did not paint a beautiful-wonderful picture, that all will be be perfect. My surgeon is a teaching doctor at one of our biggest hospitals in Mich. He was honest and one can read this honesty he stated here on the boards. The surgery on the thumb has yet to be perfected. I'm doing well, but my hands will never be as they used to be. At least I don't have that white lightening pain 24 hrs continious and I can play golf.Kieye[/size]

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:47:09 GMT

Hello, everybody! Still having problems with the Artelon procedure in both thumbs. I went to a new surgeon yesterday and he told me the same thing the surgeon who did the Artelon said: I need to have both thumbs redone with the LRTI. My body has evidently rejected the Artelon and is "attacking" the bone - especially in my left thumb. Three doctors have now told me that fusion is out of the question. Anyway, gonna have one LRTI done in December and the other one done next summer. I'm really not happy about the Artelon thing, but what are you gonna do? Better to have loved and lost, etc., etc...:)

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

penelope — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:01:38 GMT

Hi Kieye,

Thanks for the input re recovery time with the anchovy procedure... Golfing after 4 mo is GREAT!

Re strength- did you lose the strength you had pre op? I did, and was not expecting that from what the Dr had told me pre op. I don't feel I should have lost preop strength. The DR said the reason for the surg was to relieve pain. I still have almost constant achyness to pain. It usually isn't the lightening type of preop. The therapist said I should think abt the anchovy procedure.

Does anyone know what the %'s are on pain relief with this procedure?

penny

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:37:41 GMT

Penelope, I disagree with you on the long recovery time with the tendon Ligament procedure. My first surgery on my left hand was with the artelon/ some tendon- have occassional pain. My right hand was with the tendon totally- no pain I was golfting in 4 months. Will never have full strength with both hands- no hand surgery will give you this yet. My surgeon told me this. But I will have funtional hands. The one done with total tendon is my best hand. Sure wish my my left hand was done that way. But the pain isn't that great and I wear a soft brace when golfing.

Kieye

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

penelope — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:29:59 GMT

I saw my surgeon re complaint of pain that never stopped post op-see previous posts above. He xrayed. There are no changes since the surg- space ok and no further arthritis. I went back to therapy. [had tried massage to break up scar tissue for 3 visits without improvement.] The therapist felt crepitus and said I'm losing my web space... but my thumb was pinned slightly behind the index finger post op- I never regained the preop space. The Dr said he was very pleased at the range of motion and never expected me to have other than "a functional" thumb. However, I only have a marginally functional thumb due to strength loss and discomfort with activities- therapist measured strength. He's trying E stim, ultrasound, hot packs, and will add strenghtening. I go 2x/ wk.

As to litigation, I feel it was a new procedure. The DR was careful. He still denies others have had this problem in his practice. No Dr can guarantee the outcome, only tell you the risks.

As to the tendon procedure, it has a long recovery of about a year... I'm 2 yrs out, so haven't recovered any faster, which was the original idea. You can visit the posts of the thumb surgery group to see if this procedure would better meet your needs.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

sandy v — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:08:37 GMT

Hi, I've been reading the posts for awhile now while comtemplating my surgery set for 9/30. It scares me to think of how things could get screwed up worse. My doctor originally wanted to use the spacer, but I didn't want to have to redo it if it didn't work so I am going for the tendon way instead. It seems there are a lot of unhappy campers with the spacer so I think I am making the right choice, but who knows??

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

jack curtis — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:59:35 GMT

So in other words Josh, you're an ambulance chaser...:w00t:

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

John Flaherty — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:19:51 GMT

I went to see my doctor today. It's going on two years since I had the spacer put in. He wants to operate again, using the procedure where he'll use a tendon from my wrist and wrap it around my thumb joint. I don't want surgery again, but, I want to know how others have fared when having the tendon replacement as compared to fusion?
Thanks,
John

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Josh Kincannon — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:32:33 GMT

I wrote on here earlier and have been contacted by some of you regarding your problems with the Artelon CMC Spacer. Please if you are reading this and have a similar experience email me. If you have a doctor who will no longer do the Artelon surgery, please let me know. I just learned about the problem with the bone shaving and others have told me some very troubling experiences that they have had. I know some people have had good results, which is great, I wish everybody and happy and quick recovery. But I am still surprised at how many people are having problems after a year or so. My email is JKincannon@keefebartels.com. I work everyday with people who have had problems with medical device implants, primarily knees and hips. That website is www.defectivejoints.com, you can see that I am for real. Thanks to everyone on this site who takes the time to share their experiences for the benefit of everyone else. Good luck to you all!

Josh

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

John Flaherty — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:57:43 GMT

I had spacers put in both thumbs. The left one going on three years, the right one going on two years. The left one is okay, some discomfort at times, but not too bad. The right one is a different story. The doctor just put a split on it recently because of inflamed tendons in my wrist. I've had growths/cysts near each thumb. The doctor drained the left one two or three times, and the growth went away. He drained the one on the right hand several times but then stopped because there wasn't much fluid present; the growth/cyst hasn't gone away. The inflamed tendons are right next to the growth/cyst. The doctor no longer performs this procedure. He wants to operate again and fuse it. I'm frustrated. What have people found out about the negative drawbacks of spacers?
John

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

penelope — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:29:48 GMT

Hi- Thanks for this terrific info. I feel the problem is with scarring [it was hot there for more than 5 mo!] There is nothing out of place, and no further arthritis- plus the arthritic bone was removed, so what else could it be? I too had a great deal of trouble rehabbing my wrist, which seemed all glued together from immobilization- even though I never had a cast, only removable splint which I took off twice a day to care for an infected pin- do pin site care. At this time I moved my wrist through ROM being super careful not to move the thumb. So I do think breaking up adhesions through massage is a good idea. I'll let you know what happens.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Patti Norcom — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:14:45 GMT

Please see my post regarding medical massage following CMC artimplant surgery. The artimplant is usually reserved for the relatively young patient who has no other significant arthritic changes beyond the CMC joint. Unfortunately, this is the same population that will more easily form scar tissue as compared to older patients. With me, I'm in my forties, have no other hand arthritis, and developed much internal scarring from not just surgery but the weeks of immobility that followed. I was amazed at how glued together my hand muscles (located in the forearm) were and how much they improved following deep tissue massage from my fingertips to my elbow. My palm is flatter, I can rotate my thumb in a circle with little or no discomfort, and my pinch strength has returned. It pretty much feels like my former healthy, pre-arthritic hand. As an anesthetist, I rely on the heavy use of my hands every day, all day long-- yet I feel much more confident about having my left hand done now that I know how well the adhesions and scar tissue respond to manual therapy. Hope this is helpful for you-- best wishes.

Patti, MSN, CRNA

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Patti Norcom — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:17:18 GMT

I have found something that may be of tremendous help for those who had the CMC artimplant and yet have pain / weakness. Ten months out from my right (dominant) CMC artimplant, I had weakness and pain with use that wasn't much of an improvement from pre-surgery. I went to a licensed medical massage therapist. The first massage hurt like crazy, but the next day I had noticeable improvement in both pain and function. I continued twice a week for a month. I now have a fully functional hand, minimal discomfort and it's getting better each week. I reported this to my doctor, who was a physical therapist in her former life, and she was very impressed-- asked for my massage therapist's name and number. I can't emphasize how much of a difference this has made for me. It seems that it was all about adhesions, scar tissue and tissue thickening that created chronic problems. I highly recommend this for anyone who doesn't seem to be progressing anymore and still has less than satisfactory results following CMC artimplant arthroplasty. Just for clarification, this isn't 'Swedish' massage by any means. It's uncomfortable, it often causes bruising. But then scar tissue and adhesions are tough and require more than a little effort to break down. I am so glad I no longer have to worry about whether I should wait it out longer or just go in for a revision (LRTI). If you want to try this, please give it more than one or two visits, and be prepared for the discomfort during the massage. In my case, I saw results the very first visit. And, it's covered by most insurance policies. You may be glad you tried this if you are considering a revision.

Patti, M.S.N, CRNA

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Josh Kincannon — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:56:29 GMT

Hi, I am an attorney who handles product liability cases. I have a contact in the medical device industry who asked me to look at the Artelon Implant. I was shocked to see so many of you having problems with the implant and reading about doctors not doing them anymore. I don't know if there is a problem with these implants or not, but I would like to hear your stories. Please contact me at my direct email: jkincannon@keefebartels.com. Good luck to everyone on this thread and thanks to the webmaster for making such an informative site.

Josh Kincannon

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:28:22 GMT

Received my orthothics. I'm very surprised that it will fit in a few of my closed top shoes. I was inforned that it only will go in lace shoes. I will probaly have to go for some therapy on my heel. The doctor said that I did have tendonitis and may go away by having my feet placed in the right form for walking. So I'll wait awhile on the therapy.

Sorry to hear you are still having a great deal of pain with the spacer. I'm glad I went with the tendon procedure the second time on my right hand - all is well still. I'm not in alot of pain with the artelon with my left hand, but I KNOW IT'S THERE. I just worry that it will get worse, like it was before surgery.

With your pain, I would seek another opinion. I know you don't want surgery again - WHO DOES?, but you can have the tendon procedure.

Kieye

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

penelope — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:21:18 GMT

I'M REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME USING THIS SITE.

Elmer- thankgoodness all is better, and Kieye- how are your feet???

I'm taking Celebrex for my knees, and it's helping tons. The thumb is somewhat better with Celebrex.

I called the Artelon Co to see what statistics they had re problems, and what actions are recommended. They say they don't have a reporting mechanism for collecting this data. My Dr had told me he only had good outcomes for pain relief- no other pt had reported strength loss or more pain post op [the lightening stabs of pain ARE gone]- he wants to see me again, but I can't think of what he'd do. I had cortisone and "needling" to break up scar tissue in case that was it. [ouch] That didn't help. So I haven't scheduled the 4 hr drive to the office- still thinking abt it.

penny

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:06:47 GMT

WOW Elmer! Sure glad all is well now. Doing well so far. Sure wish I had the tendon procedure that was done on my right hand done on my left. Like all of us, The Artelon spacer made sense. I have an ache still when I try to apply pressure with my left hand. At times I will feel it when I play golf, not always. It's just something I will have to live with. All the white lightening pain is gone. So that is a real plus for both hands. Shot a 90 yesterday. So life is good :)

Now I'm working on getting orthotics for my poor feet. Have an appointment this after noon with a foot doctor. Know when he sees my twisted toes that he'll want to do surgery. Well, not for along time. There is no white lightening pain.

Hope all our artelons are doing well. Wish some of the oldies would report in.

Kieye

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Scott1 — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:12:56 GMT

Hi Barbara,

I find it difficult to suggest the type of treatment for you. I know what my pain level is and how much I can handle. But, I don't know the exact pain you are feeling or how much you can handle. My only comments are towards the actual surgeries themselves. The tendon surgery has had some success, but you will lose some strength. I had the joint replaced, the surgery failed because the joint is not stable. I can still move the joint and my pain level is low. That is if I don't use it very much.

The other post mention the Artelon Spacer, from the reviews I have read and some other research on the web this procedure is not having great success.

I know it sounds very gloom and doom, but they are working on another type of artificial joint. This is what I am holding out for. I wear my braces (both hands) and take my medication when the pain gets bad.

You have to determine when enough is enough. Every one of these procedures has the possibility of relieving pain. Some individuals experience great pain relief and others don't.

If you are not sure I would recommend a second or third opinion from other hand specialist.

Good Luck and take care,

Scott

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

BarbaraL — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:34:14 GMT

I'm really glad to find this forum! My thumbs, especially my left, are getting worse by the day, and I often wear small braces all day long now. But after reading these posts, I wonder if I should just keep on doing that and skip the surgery. But they really do hurt and are limiting my activities. The hand specialist at University of Va. Medical Center told me two years ago when I consulted him that he was keeping his eye on a new procedure that involved sliding the thumb tendon down and tacking it in place. He told me to check back with him to see if he ended up doing that, but when I called last week, his nurse said it wasn't a success, so he's still doing the standard tendon surgery. Any advice for me? Should I just tough it out and wear my attractive braces for the duration?

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:00:19 GMT

Hey, Rick! Good to hear from you. Penny, so sorry about your knees!

My thumbs are doing ok. Not great, but ok. I've decided not to do anything else unless and until they get really, really bad. They actually seem to be getting a little better, but that could be a matter of perspective.

Since January I've been faced with some pretty serious health issues, but everything has tuned out great. I had a couple of seizures one night in January, which ended up with a trip to the ER. I have had one or two seizures a year over that past 10 years, and they're generally not too serious; in fact, I rarely even lose consciousness. But that night I had two, back-to-back. The doctor checked me over and basically said the same thing others have said - if I'm not going to take medication for them, there's not much they can do. I just don't see the benefit of taking something that's possibly going to make me feel weird every day to possibly avoid one or two seizures a year.

Anyway, while I was there, they ran every kind of blood test in the world and found my pancreatic enzymes were elevated. That led to some further tests and one medical person told me I either had pancreatic cancer or gallstones. WHAT?!?!?!?!? Well, sir, I never thought I'd be tickled to death to have my gallbladder removed, but by the time they pinpointed it to that, I was happy as could be. In the meantime, they ran every CT, MRI, and other tests possible and ruled out any problem with my pancreas.

Then the other day I got the results back from my brain MRI, and was delighted to find out that the seizures are most likely caused by some old scar tissue. No tumor, which was great to know. But even more gratifying was finding out that it's not some hereditary condition (my dad had seizures), so I can stop worrying about my kids and grandkids.

Oh, by the way, I broke my toe the other day. Clean in two the doctor said. Going on a 3-mile walking tour of Boston this weekend, so that should be interesting.

So, like I said, it's all about perspective. Thumbs? What thumbs??? ;-)

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Scott1 — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:41:06 GMT

I'm still here reading the forums.

Penelope, I am sorry to hear about your knees.

The artificial joint in my right thumb has become unstable. The Doctor wants to remove the artificial joint and put the Artelon Spacer in. I finally told the Ortho Doc that the Artelon Spacer was not an option. The problem is my left thumb is starting to cause persistent pain. The Doc wants to do the artelon spacer surgery on that hand too.

The artificial joint did not work in my right thumb and the spacer has a high percentage of negative reviews. I have a major dilemma; suffer or have the spacer put in.

I believe at this time I am going to suffer. Hopefully in the future they will come out with a better procedure.

Take care everyone.

Scott

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

penelope — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:21:10 GMT

STILL HERE TOO. NO CHANGE WITH THE THUMB- HAS BEEN SINCE 10/07. DON'T KNOW AS I'D DO IT AGAIN- WEAKER THAN B/4 AND STILL PAINFUL.

TROUBLE NOW WITH BOTH KNEES- THE MENISCUS ON BOTH DETERIORATED AND TORE WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER AND STAGE 3 ARTHRITIS WAS FOUND UPON ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY. I NEVER HAD KNEE PROBLEMS B/4. I HAVE ALOT OF INFLAMMATION, FLUID BUILD UP AND PAIN-HARD TO WALK GET IN AND OUT OF A CHAIR ETC. THIS HAS REALLY BUMMED ME OUT CAUSE I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GRIP MY BIKE HANDLE BAR, AND STARTING TO GET ACTIVE.

PENNY

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Piano Rick — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:56:26 GMT

Still here--still good--any of you still out there?

Rick:rolleyes:

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:24:10 GMT

Kristy,

Had both of my thumbs done. And in both cases I was told ,NO HEAVY LIFTING for 3 mos. That means, nothing over a pound. Your hands need time to heal and that takes time - being relistic, about a year. At that time you'll know where your maxium strength and pain level is.. For you'll never regain full strength and hopefully eliminate all or most of your pain.. This is a real invasive procedure. Bone and muscle will be cut. You push it and it will take 3 times as long to heal, or you'll be back under the knife again.

I am a golfer. But I now need to wear a soft brace when playing, which I do on both hands. And I do well. This is the only activity I need to wear a braces.

I found that people were more than willing to help with things when they know you just had surgery.

You'll do well, just have patience. Oh, and don't skip your pain meds. You really need them for 1 -2 wks.

Kieye

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Kitsy Jones — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:46:31 GMT

Hello,

I'm new to the boards but have questions. I have osteoarthritis and lupus. My right thumb is gradually freezing in place, decreasing my range of motion.

I'm planning to have an arthroplasty later this month. I don't understand the abbreviations being used here, sorry. My dr. is not using anything artificial- just the tendon.

I'm planning to take two weeks off. I have a desk/travel job and sometimes have to carry boxes, etc.

Does this sound realistic? Have you had a successful recovery of this procedure?

I'm getting nervous as the date approaches. How bad is the pain? Where is the pin? Does it get hit on things as you walk around?

Sorry to be so full of questions, but I want to know what I'm in for. I've never had general anesthesia, either.

Thanks!

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Suzanne Colton — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:52:06 GMT

thanks for writing back. fif go in that day and get a new case. thumb,wrist was raw and indented. This case cimes off 3/2, then i guess, it's splint time. just want to get back to kayaking and stuff!!! hope all is going wellwith you. When is PT?

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Marsha Caccamo — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:15:05 GMT

Your cast should not hurt. Don't hesitate to go back to dr. and have cast re-done. Mine was too tight at my wrist, and after a day I could feel it rubbing. Went back to dr., they removed cast, and skin was already raw. Cast should be comfortable, and you should be able to get a pencil between cast and your skin. Just had my cast removed yesterday - am now in a splint, doing exercises, and using lots of lotion on my very dry hand! Best of luck to you.

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

kieye1 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:38:23 GMT

Just checking in. Sorry Elmer, not interested in your concert. We had snow fall twice in the Carolina's this year. :w00t: We haven't had snow fall here in 10 yrs. Our winter weather is usually 50 to 72 during the day. Today it will be 38.

Hands are ok. My right hand with the tendon procedure out does my left with the artelon. At this point, the pain in the left is not significant enough to go through surgery again. Hoping it won't get worse. :crazy: Wish I never had the artelon procedure done.

Piano Rick, glad you are able to plays the keys.:D

Kieye

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Elmer11 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:15:45 GMT

Hey, Rick! Would love to hear you perform. Speaking of which, this Saturday I will be performing my own adaptation of Carmina Burana as interpreted by a Stihl MS280 chainsaw, accompanied by ax & sledge. We got hit with the proverbial mother of all ice storms here in Kentucky last week. They say 1/4" of ice is considered a major ice storm; we had over an inch. Every single tree of any size in our county has had its top broken out. Thousands of people are still without power. We live in a pretty isolated setting, but thankfully our power was only off for a week. Anyway, if you're in western KY this weekend, stop in for my performance! :D

RE: CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Suzanne Colton — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:22:44 GMT

hi. just had my surgery on jan 20. 2nd cast put on then. is your cast really tight? cast feels like it's digging into my hand. i thought this was a very painful surgery. if it doesn't releive the thumb pain, i will be very disappointed.