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CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer Expand / Collapse
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sandy v
Posted Sunday, October 18, 2009 4:27 PM


 

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Where is everybody??????
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Elmer11
Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 9:10 AM


 

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sandy v (10/18/2009)
Where is everybody??????

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.
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sandy v
Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:18 AM


 

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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.
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Elmer11
Posted Friday, November 13, 2009 9:58 PM


 

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sandy v (10/20/2009)
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.


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.
Post #4262749
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sandy v
Posted Friday, November 13, 2009 11:45 PM


 

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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.
Post #4262784
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Elmer11
Posted Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:20 PM


 

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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.
Post #4263143
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sandy v
Posted Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:09 PM


 

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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 :-)
Post #4263559
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Leoni
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:08 AM


 

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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.
Post #4265207
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Elmer11
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:29 PM


 

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sandy v (11/15/2009)
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 :-)


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.
Post #4265274
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sandy v
Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2009 8:28 PM


 

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Hi Leoni. I'm about 3 wks into the physical therapy part of the recovery. I start out using the fluidotherapy machine (which is just a warm whirling powder that feels like you're playing in sand). Then finger exercises touching your thumb to each finger one by one and back again. I think my wrist was the sorest, followed by the tightness from the missing tendon in the arm. No big deal. Basically all range of motion exercises, no strength training yet. Then a scar massage and stretching by the therapist and then ice. It gets better every day, though I won't push it trying to carry something too heavy.But there's not too much I can't do. Hope you have the same easy recovery as me.
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sandy v
Posted Saturday, December 12, 2009 12:09 AM


 

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Well I had my last doctor's appt today for my thumb. All is good. I don't have to go back and I can begin strengthening exercises at physical therapy. I started to use this soft putty which I just keep spreading out with my fingers. That's already getting easier to do and the more I work on strength the better it feels. The wrist pain is minimal on stretching now and I can bend my wrist almost as much as before plus the numbness is getting better. The real test will be in about a week or so when I attempt to make my perogies for Christmas. I am very pleased so if you're out there Elmer, I'll be thinking about you on the 28th, but I think you'll be fine. You'll have to let me know how you do, Ok?
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Piano Rick
Posted Saturday, December 12, 2009 4:55 PM


 

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Well, I see the last time I checked here in was May 09. My hard drive crashed and when I replaced it, all my "favorites" disappeared. Since my thumbs were not causing me to think about them, I didn't remember to check this forum with it's absence from the "favorites" list. Lest all new people to this site should think there are nothing but problems with Artelon spacer procedure, I continue after two and a half years to be okay. Both hands were done in early 07 at Loma Linda U Med Center in California. I've got lump or rounded section at base of left, but with no other symptom, doctor says not to worry. Flexibility is good (good enough to play piano effectively, which was my goal). To comfortably reach an "octave" (8 consecutive white keys) requires more warm up than before, but it works. Brute strength is probably less, but I can open jars and locks pain free, and use hand tools. I've resumed bicycling that I'd cease when it got too painful to grip the handlebars. I haven't dropped anything in two years, and that had become quite annoying. I haven't tried to resume tennis. I was about ready to retry when I managed to totally rupture the biceps tendon at the elbow this June. That's now been stapled back together and rehabbed. Getting old is hell (59). Sorry to here about my contemporaries (Elmer's surgery was just after my second) are have problems. I went to that lawyer's website just out of curiosity, but with my level of activity I'd have a hard time documenting any impairment at all. Season's greetings to all.



Rick
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Elmer11
Posted Wednesday, December 16, 2009 3:04 PM


 

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Hey, Rick! Great to hear from you and I couldn't be happier that you're doing so well. Unfortunately, my thumbs are both back to pre-Artelon pain and weakness, and I'm counting on the LRTI to help them out. I really wish I had done the LRTI or fusion right off the bat, but hindsight's 20-20 as they say...

Thanks for the encouragement, Sandy! I do have high hopes for the LRTI. Sounds like it worked out well for you!

Merry Christmas to all you sore thumbs!
Post #4280711
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aileen raulin
Posted Thursday, December 17, 2009 1:37 PM


 

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hi, I am new to group. I am a 55 yo female w bil CMC thumb joint arthritis.I am a nurse practitioner and I work w kids and now we use the computer at work. I need to be able to carry a laptop and mouse, and otoscope/opthalmoscope and stethescope into the room w the patient and examine the child. It was getting so bad that I couldn't hold a 6 mo old child's head still to look in her ears.
I am R handed and that hand was worse. I had R cmc arthroplasty surgery 12/2/09 (they removed the trapezium and made a spacer from atendon in my forearm). I was in the post surgical bandage/ 1/2 cast for 9 days. Now I am in a cast for 2 wks. I am wondering if I will have bettter control in several weeks. Now to use the mouse to move the cursor it causes my hand to feel cramped after a short time and I'll get a sharp pain. I do most of the holding and carrying w my left hand now because I have dropped glasses etc when trying to use my R hand. In this cast ,I cannpt touch my first finger to my thumb so I grab things between my 4 fingers and the cast below my fingers.
I am planning to go back in a couple weeks and my surgeon plans to remove the cast and then use it as a 1/2 cast unless I am getting PT. .
It's funny, being a nurse you would think I'd be prepared for the legnth of recovery but I some how felt like I would be able to do more. I get very frustrated when I can't open things, pull things apart, lift things etc. I was wishing my dog had monkey hands to help me out.
I know i just need to be patient but I'm so used to doing 4 things at the same time. I'm not used to carrying 1 thing then getting the next and taking multiple trips. It's hard to slow down.
How long did it take most of you to be able to hold and manipulate things? When do you think you would have been able to carry a number of items and easily use the computer and write? Thanks,Aileen
Post #4281355
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sandy v
Posted Sunday, December 27, 2009 12:55 AM


 

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Hi Aieleen. I also am 55 and had the same surgery done sept 30, 09. I still go to pt to build up strength but I have improved quite a bit over the last few months. My wrist was really sore and tight for a good while, but now feels great (the prayer stretch and reverse prayer took care of that). I still have problems with grasping things or doing things like closing a zip loc bag or pushing the doorknob latch in, but I think that will just take more time. I can carry groceries because the weight basically goes on the fingers. There are so many things you don't even need your thumb for, as long as the fingers function as well as mine do. It's been 3 months for me, so you have a ways to go, so don't despair. Once you get the cast off, you'll have so much more movement. Elmer, If you're still out there, I'll be thinking about you on the 28th when u have your surgery. Keep us informed when you're up to it and stay ahead of the pain with your pain medicine. One vicodan every 3 hrs didn't touch the pain, but 2 alternating with ibuprofen really made the difference. Good luck to you! Sandy
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sandy v
Posted Sunday, January 03, 2010 12:10 AM


 

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How are you doing Elmer, able to peck at the keyboard yet? Check in and let me know how your surgery went when you feel better, Sandy
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Elmer11
Posted Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:47 AM


 

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Hey, Sandy! I'm doing ok. Not great, but ok... The surgery went fine - except for a failed nerve block, which they remedied after I got in the recovery room. That one lasted a good 24 hours, which was great. I'm back at work, which has caused a bit more pain, but the biggest problem is just the inconvenience of having just one hand to use. That also causes extra strain on my other hand, which will have to be worked on when this one gets better. One thing that has really surprised me is the lack of pain in my wrist where they took the tendon. Anyway, I go in next Monday for my first checkup - and I assume the hard cast.
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Elizabeth12
Posted Tuesday, January 05, 2010 3:20 PM


 

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Hi, Elmer (and everyone)!

Elmer, best of luck to you with your recovery -- you'll get through it just fine, and hopefully be pain-free soon!

All, I had the Artelon spacer surgery on my dominant hand in January '07 (about the same time as Piano Rick -- I remember well your posts from that time!). I was 39 years old at the time, and had significant osteoarthritis in both thumb joints. About a year later, I developed chronic hives and some interesting autoimmune issues that doctors are treating in the conventional way, and there is some mild concern that my immune system may be overreacting to the Artelon spacer. My thumb joint still causes me a decent amount of distress -- mostly constant mild to moderate aching, though an occasional sharp pain can cause me to gasp. My thumb also gets tingly and numb at times. Apparently, my x-rays look fantastic -- excellent space in the joint, and everything looks beautiful (in fact, my doctor asked whether he could use my x-rays in case studies!), but my range of motion is impaired because the thumb is located "forward" of my hand.

My doctor is fantastic, and I trust him. He suggests the "fix" of a revision surgery to remove the spacer and bone, and then use the tendon in the traditional way. I've left his office a message to schedule the surgery, but I'm terribly nervous and anxious about it. I'm a musician, playing piano, violin and guitar, and my day job requires lots of computer work. I'm only 42 years old, and I'm so worried that I won't be able to continue with my music, that I will never be able to exercise properly (I have a good bit of aching after a few laps in the pool from the pressure of the water being pushed by my hand when I try to swim, and any mild weight-lifting is fairly impossible because of the pain, so I can only do cardiovascular exercise with my legs), and that I will constantly have to rely on my wonderful husband to open jars, carry cast iron pots from the stove to the table, and so forth. Riding a bicycle works as long as I don't lean on the handbars, which probably isn't the safest way to ride a bike, but which protects my hand somewhat. Weeding is one of the more painful activities, as is handwriting, though I know that's fairly common.

I've read many of the more recent posts, and I am wondering whether anyone else has heard of an allergy or sensitivity to the spacer, and I guess I'm just looking for someone to say that the revision to a tendon-surgery has brought some relief. I'm already low on hand strength, so any improvement would be welcome on that front, but I really just want to go through at least an hour without my hand aching.

Good luck to everyone!

Elizabeth
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Angelina Maya
Posted Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:04 PM


 

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HI
I have recently been diagnoses with arthritis in my thumb.
I used to be a massage therapist but gave that up due to thumb pain and other reasons as well.
I also barter once a week processing produce so I can get some for free
A doctor proposed the option of the surgery with the tendon should my pain get to the point that I cant live with it.The prospect of having to endure the long rehab period following this type of surgery fill me with frustration and even rage.
MY housemate wants me to have surgery sooner rather than later as now he is available to help with things around the house after the operation but in the future may have to travel for work.
I have NO ONE else that can be there for me.\
the whole situation has me so upset and worried about how the rest of my life would fall apart.
There is the severe disruption of ordinary activities with surgery that uses the tendon like having to use those little picks to floss my teeth may not work as well as real dental floss and I could end up with gum disease from not properly cleaning my teeth.
or just regular house hold chores.
( like not being able to clean out kitty boxes for my family of cats)or process produce
( I barter for free produce by sorting it and throwing the "bad" stuff into compost and bagging the good stuff to be distributed. I get to take home the semi bad stuff- what is still good enough to eat but not good enough to sell or donate.
I understand recovery would last 6 months. I could not afford to buy produce for six months.
( I try to buy all my food organic and can barely afford the dairy,grains and proteins)
In addition surgery would significantly disrupt my life as a ballet and yoga practitioner particularly the yoga practice.( where I need to place weight on my wrists to do downward dog and cobra poses)
I have decided I want to try an alternative to this drastic surgery and am investigating the idea of the artelon spacer.
I already have titanium metal in my neck not for arthritis but to correct a spinal curvature and that surgery went very well with me being able to still do stuff like head stands and back bends.
I WONDER IF THERE ARE ANY PERMANENT ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS WITH THE ARTELON SPACER?
Somehow it is my non dominant hand that is bothering me enough to consider surgery.
Also it seems like the medical profession is not able to answer my questions regarding my yoga and dance practice post surgery.
Why is it that they do not have the ability to do this?
Post #4291305
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sandy v
Posted Monday, January 11, 2010 11:44 PM


 

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Hi Elmer, glad to see you're doing ok. I hate the thought of you working so soon, but you do what you gotta do. I had my last physical therapy visit today. I have no real pain, just need to work on a little more strengthening but no complaints at all. Hope you have the same good results.
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