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

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

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

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

Josh Kincannon

Josh

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.

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