CMC Arthroplasty with Artelon Spacer

Posted Tuesday, January 23, 2007 12:04 PM

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Man! That's great, Rick! Exactly what I wanted to hear! I teach, too, and I was hoping that I would not miss more than a couple of days for the surgery. Hope all continues to go well for you! -Elmer

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Posted Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:24 PM

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Wow! It was great to come back to the discussion board and see so many posts. Piano Rick, I am truly impressed that you were off pain meds after the first day. Most definitely not my experience (or at least by choice). I'm almost three weeks post-op, and maybe I'm using my other four fingers too much (probably), but I'm still somewhat uncomfortable at the end of the day, and my thumb is still swollen. Not enough to need pain meds, but I did take soem Tylenol a couple of days ago after playing the piano four-fingered (I couldn't take it anymore -- miss music too much, and violin is totally out of the question until my thumb is strong enough to hold a bow many months from now, I'm guessing). I think I might be doing too much, but it's hard to know when to stop until it's too late. Here are just a couple of thoughts for what they're worth. I wish my MD had not responded so positively to my query of when I could go back to work. Like others, I'll push until someone tells me I have to stop. So when he said I might be able to go back to work on Friday (after a Wed. afternoon surgery), but if not, then almost certainly by Monday, I decided that regardless of how I felt, I should just get back to work by Monday. Friday was COMPELTELY out of the question, and I even had to go back to the doctor to have my cast adjusted because of the swelling. Long and short, I should have listened to my body and shouldn't have worked a full day on Monday -- that knocked me out for Tuesday, and I ended up coming home in the late morning with a good bit of swelling and incredible fatigue. A friend of a friend had the surgery last week, and her doctor told her to try to plan on taking two weeks off if at all possible to give her body time to heal. Live and learn, right? Anyway, I also teach a class two days a week, and I am getting VERY good at writing on a blackboard with my left hand. Who knew? I guess my thoughts are this -- listen to your body and give yourself time to take care of yourself. I hope everyone's recovery is going well!! And thanks, KeaC, for sharing your recovery. You are leading the way for the rest of us. So, so glad it's going well!

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Sunrisecowgirl

Posted Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:54 PM

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Hi, I am interested in hearing long term recovery stories with the Artelon spacer. I first went to the doctor complaining of thumb joint pain in June 2006. My doctor injected steroids and my thumb went down hill fast. I had the Thumb arthroplasty with the Artelon Spacer August 30, 2006. Then spent 6 weeks in a cast. When the cast was removed I thought I my hand was going to fall off. It hurt and tingled so badly I couldn't stand it. The level of pain was unbelievable. Maybe I'm the world's greatest wimp, but I had 3 babies using natural, un-medicated child birth and don't remember being in pain.... I am 5 months post op and just had a doctor's visit. He didn't know what to think and said to come back in 3 months and we will decide what to do. I am a nurse anesthetist and need a lot of strength in my hands to keep my patients safe and to do my job. I have less strength now and many times more pain even at rest. I have a hard time buttoning up my shirt, I can't buckle the bridle on my horse's face. I cannot put weight on my wrist to support myself. Sweeping, cleaning windows, house work in general is very difficult.... I think about cutting my hand off some days. Has anyone else had this kind of experience? I am afraid I won't get better. I am 52 years old and very active and healthy otherwise.
Thanks Kathy

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Posted Thursday, January 25, 2007 3:57 PM

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Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of your continuing troubles and pain. I don't have personal experience with long-term recovery yet, but when I was researching the surgery, I spoke with two docs very experienced in the surgery. On inquiring, both told me of patients who for whatever reason did not respond well to the surgery. In a few cases, patients had localized reactions to the Artelon material, which I understand was remedied be re-casting the hand until the body finally grew accustomed to the "foreign" material. I learned of another woman (a hairdresser) who continued to encounter pain sufficient enough that she had the spacer removed and had the traditional surgery (arthroplasty where they remove one of the bones and use a tendon from the arm to fill the space). Another developed a ganglion cyst after the surgery. I spoke with other physicians who told me that although problems could result from the procedure not being accomplished perfectly, they can and do arise sometimes because of individual differences in our bodies and how we adjust to the srugery. I asked all of the questions ahead of time because I am fairly sensitive to many materials (lots of lotions, makeup, etc.) and wanted to know what would happen if I reacted to the Artelon. Too early to tell yet! I was also told that the radial nerve could become very irritated with the srugery and cause pain and tingling for a long period. If the nerve was nicked during surgery, numbness could also occur. It could be that your MD wants to wait to see if your symptoms subside over the next 3 months before doing anything drastic. I hope you improve adn that your hadn regains its strength soon. Elizabeth

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Sunrisecowgirl

Posted Thursday, January 25, 2007 8:38 PM

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Thanks Elizabeth.
The company that makes the Artelon Spacer makes it sounds like every one is back to "normal" in no time and that there have been no problems at all. This column and your response help to paint a more realistic picture. I too am much more sensitive to foreign materials than I gave my self credit for. We will see what the future holds.
Kathy

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Vicki2

Posted Friday, January 26, 2007 5:25 PM

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I am glad to discover this forum. My husband is scheduled for this surgery in 2 weeks. The plan is for him to also have cubital tunnel and carpal tunnel procedures at the same time. Anyone else have experience with recorery after multiple procedures? He is planning to take a week off from work. After reading these posts, I wonder if that is realistic.
Thanks, Vicki

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Sunrisecowgirl

Posted Saturday, January 27, 2007 9:52 AM

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Vicki, I had the Thumb arthroplasty with the Artelon Spacer and Carpal Tunnel Surgery at the same time. My hand was in a Thumb spica cast for 6 weeks post-op. I use my hands for a living. I need lots of strength and dexterity for my profession. I think it depends more on what he does at work than having the two surgeries together as to when he can return. I am 5 months post op and still haven't returned to work. Best of Luck, Kathy

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Posted Saturday, January 27, 2007 4:28 PM

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9 days postop. Having those fingers available in the splinted hand has really helped. I'm typing two handed, albiet slowly, without pain. Worked in the classroom on 5th, 6th, 7th day. Not my best teaching, but I'm a music teacher, so my kids made the music, not me. No demonstrations of instrument playing for a while, though I did run a choir, playing vocal lines with my soon to be repaired other hand. Seeing Loma Linda doctor for first followup in 2 days. I did manage to bang the splinted thumb into something yesterday--that made me sit down for a recovery moment. Sorry to hear that some of you have had difficult recoveries. My procedure was just the Artelon installation. There are no carpal tunnel issues in either hand.
Rick

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Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:32 AM

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Rick, How many days did you take off for your surgery?

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Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 8:46 PM

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Surgery Friday--worked the next Wednesday, though I felt I could have on the Monday if it was really important. I got temporarily hooked on the History Channel. I don't usually watch much TV--usually more exciting things to do, but I indulged myself the extra days. I got the soft bandage cut off yesterday (10 days post-op), and actually had a painful evening trying to adjust to the much smaller but much more uncomfortable removable splint. I think it's pressing right on the incision, and the thumb positioning is different than it had been. I actually took some pills. Today it felt better, but again this evening, it's getting achey again. Anyway, doc says four weeks in this and he'll recheck. He thinks that when I resume activity after that, that will suffice as my rehab, though he's willing to supplement if that doesn't do the job. He thinks light-duty piano playing will be very therapeutic at that point.

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Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 11:28 AM

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Thanks for the info, Rick! I'm supposed to have the procedure done on my left thumb in Louisville next Tuesday. I've asked for a substitute for Tuesday and Wednesday, but I'm sort of leaving it open to take another day or two off if I need to. Glad to hear you're progressing well. And I understand the History Channel thing. My wife and I got satellite service a few years ago. It was the first time we'd ever had anything but rabbit ears, and I'm still fascinated by it all.

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Posted Monday, February 05, 2007 1:07 PM

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Elmer11 -- good luck tomorrow!! Prayers and good thoughts will be heading your way. Elizabeth

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Posted Monday, February 05, 2007 7:15 PM

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Thanks, Elizabeth! They've changed my surgery time to morning, so we're going to have to leave home about 3:30 tomorrow morning. I hate to be up and stirring at that odd hour, but I'll be glad to get it over with earlier than expected. I very much appreciate the prayers and good thoughts! And thanks to everyone who has posted their experiences here; it has given me a lot of courage and hope.

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Posted Monday, February 05, 2007 7:24 PM

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Yeah, good luck, Elmer. If we don't hear from you right away, you're excused. Hey, don't feel bad about making those kids fetch and carry for you either. I told my guys ahead of time, and they came up with all these elaborate plans of how they'd see to my every classroom need--as elaborate as 4th and 5th graders can get, anyway.

Hey, anybody--17 days post-op and I still have occasional oozing--problem?

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mommabird62

Posted Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:27 AM

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Hi everybody! It's good to see so many posts. I haven't had a chance to get here. I'm 6 weeks post-op and things are doing great. I have a removeable cast on now and am sceduled to have the other thumb done on 2/27. The pt was not real happy about it being so soon, but I need to get things done and and on the right track b-4 springs hits and things get busier at work.

I went back to work 2 weeks post op and will probably do the same this time. I know that it will be more challenging have my dominant hand done and being left with a week/recovering hand. Will probably need more help from the family.

I am really glad that I went with this. The pain in my thumb is very minimal and is getting stronger each day.

Rick, as far as the oozing after 17 days, you may want to get that checked out. You don't want to chance any infection around the bone. I used to be a vet tech and was involved in lots of surgeries including ortho procedures and that can be tricky.

As for the surgeon, he has really been great and seems to be a highly rated hand specialist. He also really cares and even ask about how the other joints are going. I also went with the Synvisc injections for my knees and that has helped alot. I am hoping to prolong those being replaced.

I hope the nerve block takes this time! Elizabeth12 mentioned here that she had the same experience as me and was told the same thing about being thin. It's good to know it just wasn't me! LOL

Y'all take care and I'll try to get back more often:-)

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Posted Tuesday, February 06, 2007 2:32 PM

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Rick,

I'm with mommabird62 on the oozing issue. I was surprised to learn that your doctor had given you a removable splint (rather than another cast) only 10 or so days after the surgery, and it's possible that the extra motion you were able to do when the splint was off might have iritated the surgical site and caused more inflammation. I have no idea, really, but I think you should definitely get it checked out to be sure you're healing properly. Your hand is critical to your profession and your music, so don't take any chances. Better to be considered a Nervous Nelly (or Ned) than to sacrifice your health!

I am now 5 weeks out and actually brucshed my teeth with my right hand yesterday (and today) with mild pain only when I was trying to turn my hand to reach some of the back areas. Baby steps, but it sure was a nice change! Typing is much easier, swelling is all but gone because I'm using everything a little bit more (thus, helping the blood circulation in the extremity), and overall I feel that I might actualy survive this process and regain the use of my hand after all! Smile

Mommabird62 -- good luck with the other thumb. I imagine that it will indeed be challenging to have only the use of your recovering non-dominant hand. You are brave! It will probably help to have just gone througn it with your other hand and to know what to expect. Best of luck!

Elizabeth

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Posted Tuesday, February 06, 2007 6:13 PM

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Well, folks, it's a long story, but my surgery has been postponed until next Tuesday. We weren't told until we arrived at the facility, but the doctor was sick and had to cancel all his procedures for today. Pretty disappointing, but a week's delay isn't too bad.

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Posted Wednesday, February 07, 2007 1:16 AM

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Thanx for the advise, y'all. I'll get with the doctor on this incision healing issue.
Rick

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mommabird62

Posted Thursday, February 08, 2007 11:52 AM

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Hi y'all!

Just got back from therapy and now I can start doing excercises to work the cmc joint. It seems to be tolerating well but still really stiff, especially around the wrist. I guess that I'm a little anxious about getting it going good since I have less than three weeks to go for the right thumb being done.

I don't want to rush it and screw anything up or I will be in a mess! LOL I still am not supposed to be doing any lifting, but that rule has already been broken. I'm using the fingers and can't see any harm. My right hand is really going to toast fast since it's doing all of the work, so keep your fingers crossed.

Rick, let us know what the doc says about yours. I'm also a little surprised that you have a removeable cast so soon. I know that the cast that I wore up to 5wks allowed no mobility at all except for the 4 fingers and very little there.

Elmer11, sorry about you having to cancel. I know that would be a real hassle, especially if you have already made plans at work. Good luck next tues anyway:-)

Take care.

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