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Donna16
Posted Monday, October 15, 2007 4:32 PM


 

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wow-sounds like you are doing great! I went to my OS on Thurs(I had my ankle fused over summer). I asked his opinion about my hand. He said that although it looked bad,he was quite amazed with the amt of strength I had-resisting his hold,squeezing his hand,etc. Basically he said if it doesn't hurt don't fix it. There is a lot of damage,but it really doesn't hurt me. He said a lot of things can go wrong and I should wait until it is unbearable--were you guys in pain? He gave me the name of the hand specialist if i wanted to see him. My OS is foot/ankle-he said the same thing about my toes-I wanted him to fix them while he was doing my ankle-tey are all dislocated and sideways,but dont hurt-just make it hard to buy shoes-he advised against it-so did all the other drs in his office--keep me posted on the progress...

Donna
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starshine
Posted Saturday, October 20, 2007 4:36 AM


 

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Donna, yes I did have pain. The index finger was the worst. When I would use the computer mouse, it would hurt so bad after about 5 min. that I had to stop. I began using my left hand for the mouse about a year before the 1st surgery and have been using it ever since. It was not easy! I also had quite a bit of pain all down the side of my hand on the pinky side. I had pain in other areas but those 2 were the worst.

Mary, where are you? Are you still doing ok?

I almost forgot to tell you guys about another product that makes life much easier. It is those plastic bags with the zipper top. It is so much easier to open and close with bad hands than those that you have to press together all along the top. Try them! ss
Post #4098893
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mumukate
Posted Monday, November 05, 2007 9:39 PM


 

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Hi,everyone! Sorry I've been out of touch - I'm still doing great! Thank you so much for asking. I'm in PT 2x a week for 4 weeks (this is week #2). It's going VERY slow. My middle finger just doesn't want to play along with the others. I'm doing an exercise called a "radial walk" and my middle finger just can't yet. I still have a LOT of swelling but it is better than it was. They put me in an edema glove (save your money, kids --it's an Isotoner with the fingertips cut out (LOL)!)

And of course I'm in the Freddie Kruger-looking splint. There are only 2 people in the Tulsa area who know how to build them. I am very pleased because mine is really quite comfy. My PT guy did a fantastic job - it took him about 1 1/2 hours to build it. It was so interesting to watch, I didn't notice the time. He also built me a "resting splint" for sleeping (it's my favorite - I like anything with "rest" in its name).

Still have had no pain to speak of. Today's PT session was a little more agressive and I'm a little sore. I think I'll do so much better when the swelling is gone. How long did your swelling last? PT Guy says everyone is different so he won't even give me a guess. He did say I can start playing the piano again in probably 4 weeks. Says the alignment of my implants are perfect so that was good news - I'm so afraid I'm going to mess them up.
Hope all is well with you - I'll check back in a day or so. Have a great day!
Mary
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T3
Posted Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:31 AM


 

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Hi all, i'm new and just had knucle replacement on my right hand on 10/30/07 because of RA. I am wearing a big cast now. I am nervously waiting to see how my fingers' function will be after the surgery. I had knee and hip replacements. I'm left hand and the left hands' knucles are also bad. I will see my doctor on 11/12/07. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Have a nice day.
Tanya
Post #4098895
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starshine
Posted Tuesday, November 06, 2007 1:12 PM


 

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Mary, glad to hear that you are still doing well. I still have some swelling in my hand and fingers. I am, however, able to wear my ring again. I had to have it sized up 1 1/2 sizes and had stabilizer balls added. It is the greatest thing! They put 2 little gold balls on the inside of the ring band opposit of the jewels. They take up the slack and don't allow the ring to move around as much. I wore the isotoner glove, too. It didn't help much.

Tanya, welcome. I hope you are doing well. Will you need to have your left hand done, too?
ss
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T3
Posted Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:41 PM


 

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Thanks SS for asking. If my right hand fuctions will be improved after the surgery, I will plan for my left hand surgery next year.
My rheumatologist at John Hopkins didn't recommend hand knucle replacements for my hands even though they are badly deformed already and oftenly swollen. I have rituxan medicine almost yearly and 5 mg prednisone. So, the pain is not bad. Rituxan is really good for me. My PCP doctor, also rheumatologist in Fairfax, VA and my hand surgeon suggested hand knucle replacements should be done on both hands when I asked their opinions. It was hard to make the decision but I just wait to see the result in next couple weeks. The surgeon said my hand function would be restored around 50% and the hand would look normally. I think it is great if they come true. My right wrist is already locked because of RA. My right hand, wrist have had very limit in motion.
I have RA about 20 years. I mainly use my left hand for typing at work. RA is really terrible. I will see other hand surgeon at John Hopkins hospital for 2nd idea about my right wrist and left hand knucles. I just had the right hand surgery at Georgetown univerity hospital.
I hope all of you are doing well.
Tanya
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mumukate
Posted Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:13 PM


 

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Hi, Tanya! You're about 2-1/2 weeks behind me. My surgery was Oct. 11th. I'm amazed how straight my fingers are and how flat my palm is! I'm so excited! Will you be coming out of your cast next Tuesday? I hope so for you - that was a VERY exciting day for me. They removed the cast and stitches and made a "make-shift" splint to get me over to the PT clinic. It made for a very long afternoon, but it was great! The PT clinic had to work me in that day and I had a long wait. So if your surgeon has similar plans for you, they maybe can go ahead and set it up. It might be worth a phone call to him anyway.
I have found my biggest problem has been not knowing what to expect. Thay's why this BB is so helpful! SS has been a BIG encouragement to me - hope I can do the same for you.

Hope your pain level is manageable - I have had no pain - only what I consider minor aches. Not anything as bad as I used to wake up to every morning before the surgery. I am on Remicaid (for almost a year) and it seems to be working pretty well most of the time.

Be patient - it all gets better when the cast comes off! Have a great day -try to enjoy the "downtime"!
Mary
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T3
Posted Wednesday, November 07, 2007 1:41 PM


 

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Thanks Mary, your words really encourage me. I'm so glad for your hand. Did you also have the right hand done?
Next monday is the 1st time I see my surgeon after the surgery, I hope he will take off the cast for me. So far, I haven't had much pain with rituxan medicine and daily low dose of prednisone. I had the rituxan infusion in Jan, I should have another infusion because my left hand knucles are easily swollen and hurt. However, my surgeon said I must wait 3 months after the surgery. My rheumatologist said If I have a rituxan infusion, I can not have any surgery in 1st six months. If I don't eat salty food, my other joints are not bad except my left hand now.

I hope you are continue feeling well and enjoy with your hand.
Tanya
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Donna16
Posted Friday, November 09, 2007 12:26 PM


 

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sounds like you are all doing great! I dont remember what a flat hand looks like-my knuckles ahve been swollen for over 15 yrs! nothing works to get rid of it--they still want to wait on the surg b/c as unsightly as my hand is, I still have some function(surprisiingly the dr said) and no pain. I love flollowing all of your stories so I will know wha to expect when the time does come. Good luck...
Post #4098900
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T3
Posted Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:53 AM


 

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You can read this helpful article at:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/AR/00014.html
I didn't know it before the surgery. My hand's functions can not restore as I expected.
I post the importance of the article here:
Results
Knuckle replacement surgery can't restore the function you had before arthritis damaged your joints. But you can expect it to relieve the pain in your knuckles, improve the look of your hands and restore some function. For this reason, the majority of people who have knuckle replacement surgery are pleased with the outcome.

A healthy knuckle allows about 90 degrees of movement in your finger. On average, knuckle replacement allows for about 45 degrees of movement.

You might find that it's more difficult to grasp small items with your new knuckles. For this reason, some people choose to have surgery on only one hand. Since rheumatoid arthritis can make it difficult to grasp large objects and surgery makes it difficult to grasp small objects, having one hand for each type of grip might be more convenient for you. Other people choose to have surgery on both hands and rely on assistive devices to help them grasp smaller objects.


Risks

As with any surgery, knuckle replacement carries risks. In rare cases infection may occur. Infections that can't be treated with antibiotics may require new artificial knuckle joints.

Silicone knuckle implants last about 10 years, while other joints may last longer. You may need to have another joint replacement later in life if the pain and lack of motion in your fingers returns. Your doctor can give you the general life span of the joint you'll receive.

It's also possible for the artificial knuckles to break, though it's unclear if this is truly a complication. Many people with artificial knuckles don't notice that their new joints have broken. That's because the implants don't control finger movement — the ligaments and other soft tissues around the joint do that.

It's important to know that knuckle replacement can't always stop the damage of rheumatoid arthritis. In severe cases, swelling and pain may eventually return.
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starshine
Posted Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:45 PM


 

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Hi Tanya, I remember reading that article. Thanks for posting it because it can help people to make the decision. I do not have any trouble grasping small objects. I guess I got lucky. I do have better function and less pain than before the surgery and my hand is getting stronger all the time. It still is quite stiff in the morning and never limbers up all the way. I still wear my night splint so that probably contributes to the stiffness.

Did you have all 4 of the knuckles of your hand replaced? By now you should be out of the cast and using the traction splint. Is that right? How does your hand look? I was shocked at the scar and scabs around it but it looks much better now. Please let me know how you are doing and if you have any questions. ss
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T3
Posted Monday, December 03, 2007 8:13 PM


 

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Thanks SS. I just saw my surgeon today after 4 weeks. He pulled 3 needles out of my last 3 fingers (middle to little fingers). All 4 of my right hand knuckles were replaced and last 3 fingers were restructured. Today, my doctor said my fingers can bend up to 90 degrees and can make a fist (not really tight as a normal hand) if I exercise hard. My fingers are still swollen and hurt. I work full time but still can't drive.

People have said my operated hand looks better than other hand. I like it except the long scar on the top of knuckles.

After the surgery, my fingers couldn't bend much, then I read the article. They made me worry much because when I sew, I use right hand to hold a needle, a pen even though I'm left handed. I just recognized the article was posted in May, 2005. Now 2007, medical technology may been improved better. However, exercise for my fingers is not easy, it hurts.

I hope you are doing well.
Post #4098903
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starshine
Posted Saturday, December 08, 2007 3:24 AM


 

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Tanya, good to hear you are doing well. Yes, the exercises hurt, I had to do them every hour while I was in the torture traction splint. The splint was so uncomfortable that I welcomed the exercises. Pulling 3 needles out of your fingers sounds so painful, it makes me cringe thinking about it. Keep me posted. ss
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mindyt
Posted Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:07 AM


 

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Jan. 2nd I will have the middle joint replaced in my third finger on my left hand. I am trying to play the "glad game" but I really don't look like Hayley Mills (actually I never did)! Surgery is on Wed., with a block not general anesthesia. The dr. says I will be able to return to school the following Monday (I teach 2nd grade). Do you think this is realistic? I had surgery in June on my right hand, cmc replacement, 2 trigger fingers released, 1 joint fusion, and I really am not looking forward to another surgery and recuperation. Any words of wisdom? I really need to get in the right frame of mind. Right now I feel defeated. It seems that I go forward only to slide back farther! My life consists of going to work, coming home, sleeping, getting up the next morning and doing it all over again. I need info. on what to expect and how to (once again) cope. Thank you to all who post--you are my lifeline!

Best Wishes,

Mindyt

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless." Mother Teresa[/size]
Post #4098905
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T3
Posted Monday, December 10, 2007 9:44 PM


 

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Hi Mindyt, sorry that you will have another surgery. Good luck. I hope you won't have a lot of pain after the surgery in Jan 2nd. I like local anesthesia (blocking feeling) more than general anesthesia.
Do you have RA? I have the same routine as yours. I work as a software programmer. I can't use all of my fingers for typing as a normal person. People said my hand's striking on a keyboard is like a chicken's eating. My 3 fingers are still swollen after the surgery. It is more than 1 month now. The doctor just reconstructed the fingers.

I would like to see RA friends to share experiences or have some activities together. I live in Burke, VA but I see a rheumatologist at John Hopkins Bayview Clinic in Baltimore, MD.

I hope all of you are doing well during the winter season.
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T3
Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:07 PM


 

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Hi SS and Mary, can you make a fist after the knuckle replacement? Did you have 4 knuckles replaced?

Thanks. Tanya.
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starshine
Posted Sunday, December 16, 2007 5:56 PM


 

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Mindy, welcome to the thread. The one knuckle replacement should be a piece of cake! I had all 4 knuckles in my right hand replaced and had a cast for a month and a traction splint for a month. I do think it is realistic that you should be able to return to work the next week. I would guess that you will only have a splint on the one finger and have use of the rest of your fingers, or at least the thumb and first 2 fingers?

After my first surgery, I was in terrible pain. I just couldn't get it under control. Then the doc gave me stronger pain meds and I started vomiting so I couldn't keep them down! I think I had an adverse reaction to the material in the joints. After the 2nd surgery, the pain was much less. I had complete pain control with just 1 Percocet.

Tanya, I can't make a fist and doubt that I ever will be able to. The hand knuckles just don't bend that far. My fingers are still stiff after 9 months. I still wear my night splint but I see my surgeon this week and hope that he says I can do without. It would be great to get together with you but I live in Colorado. I do have a daughter who lives in Maryland, but I won't be going there anytime soon. I was just there for her graduation in June and she will be coming here this coming June. ss
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starshine
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:56 PM


 

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Just wanted to update you all on my progress. I saw my surgeon this week and he wants me to wear my night splint forever. I was hoping to get it off now. He said that if it really bothers me I could do without it but that I would probably benefit from wearing it. My index finger still has a tendency to drift toward the pinky and if I wear the splint 1/3 of the time, it would encourage it to stay straight. My therapist agreed. So I guess I'll wear it.
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mindyt
Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 7:43 AM


 

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Thank you for your kind words. I have been told that I have only osteoarthritis because the blood test does not meet the criteria for RA. However, the appearance of my hands "looks like" RA and from my reading, I think I am an undiagnosed RA recipient! (Remember, I am trying to play the glad game!) I have waited over 3 months to see a new rheum. dr. Apparently they don't want to see a patient who has seen a rheum.dr. previously! I live in Austin, TX and I guess the medical community has some "rules". Anyway, I am more accepting of the necessity of this surgery and and having optimistic thoughts!
Does anyone know the post op cast/splint procedure? I read that an outrigger splint is used in some cases. Would it be safe for me to be around children in that type of splint? I am not the most coordinated person and often the kids step on me!
Also, I play the piano for Sunday Mass and school events--how soon can I plan on being back on the "bench"?
THANK YOU to everyone who posts--you all give me such good support and ideas. Have a Joyous Christmas and may 2008 be the best year every!

Best Wishes,

Mindyt

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless." Mother Teresa[/size]
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T3
Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 3:40 PM


 

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Hi all, My right hand is 1.5 months after the surgery. I can drive and use it a little bit such as holding a PC mouse, writing ... but I still can't make a fist. My doctor advised I should wear the splint at night. My therapist doesn't say anything about wearing splint but just ask me exercise every other hour to make it bend as much as possible.
Hi Mindy, my oldest sister also is in Austin, TX. She invited me visit her this Christmas but I can't make it.

Wish you have a merry Christmas and happy new year with good health and peace.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
T.
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