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Rose277
Posted Sunday, April 17, 2005 4:57 PM


 

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Rona: I was on pain meds - perdodan (hope I spelled it right) the first 2-4 weeks, then darvocet after. Hardly ever take them now, mostly tylenol if I have a bad moment. It seemed that once I hit the 6 weeks post op day, my energy levels came back. Still have some pain, but mostly after physical therapy. I've gotten a lot of the strength back in my 4 fingers ..remember you do lose strength there because of the tendon they cut to replace the joint. I'm doing fantastic for the time since the surgery..its been 9 or 10 weeks and the doc is thrilled. He says I'm way ahead of where he thought I'd be at this point in the therapy. A lot of your success in recovery will depend on you. The first 4 to 6 weeks are difficult, lotsa pain, swelling and limited movement. It can be challenging to figure out how to do stuff, like unscrew the toothpaste tube cap, or pull up your pants, or put on a bra. Took me 3 weeks to learn how to do that. But you can do it. I no longer feel that sharp stabbing pain from the bad joint. Good luck and take care...keep me informed about your progress...and let me know when you're having the surgery...I'll keep you in my prayers that it goes well with you....rose
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Rose277
Posted Sunday, April 17, 2005 5:01 PM


 

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Nancy..that's great to hear you're doing well....it took me 3 weeks to figure out how to put on the bra. I had to do the hooks in the front and use my "good" hand to push the bra around so that the hooks were in the back...took about 15 minutes in the beginning...still have to do it that way cus I'm still working on the strength thing for my left hand. I can now do buttons (with difficulty) and zippers and grip pretty well. I'm now about 9-10 weeks post op. Don't rush back to work if you don't have to...once you start the work routine, you may feel some extra pain. Its very hard not to get back into the work routine when you're there, even though you have to take it easy with the hand. Good luck and keep me posted...Rose
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NANCY136
Posted Monday, April 18, 2005 3:57 PM


 

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i see my doc 2morrow 4 my hard cast. i have no clue what is under this soft cast.
this is my right hand and i am right handed, this is a chore to put it mildly.

doc told husband, i'm young 4 this, i'll be 57 in sept, but my feelings are if it gives out replace it so u are still young enough to recovery faster and then i will have more time to play!

i developed hives over the weekend, i thought i was going 2 die. itch under a cast, impossible, so 2 glasses of wine and a cool shower, i felt alo better.

went out and drove 2day, to buy me some tops, my bloses are not fitting over the cast...a good excuse 2 go shopping.

i will update u after i see my doc 2morrow...later
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Angela80
Posted Wednesday, April 20, 2005 4:19 PM


 

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i am a 56 year old female. i've been seeing my doc for 1-1/2 yrs now. i get injections, last 1 in january. he said next time i see him he wants to schedule joint replacement along with carpel tunnel release at same time. i've been putting the visit off as long as i can stand it. i just had major abdominal surgery 6 wks ago. been back to work 2 wks. if i schedule this replacement surgery does anyone think i might be able to return to work in a few days and just work with one hand? i work in an office.
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NANCY136
Posted Thursday, April 21, 2005 9:22 PM


 

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well, actually my doctor said i could go back in a few days....i think i could have done it.typing one handed.

i had a bit of a problem, when they took off my soft cast and put on the hard one.....the pin rubbed against the cast....and I thought childbirth was bad, that was easy next to the pain I had experienced. Back to the doctors, he replaced the cast and yes i am still on pain killers but i start back to work on monday, 2 weeks off...nice vacation....

i would give mysel about 5 days off just will take u that long to learn to dress yourself with only one hand. is the surgery on the hand you write with? putting on a bra is a real chore.
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NANCY136
Posted Thursday, April 21, 2005 9:23 PM


 

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are u a lefty?

did you have pain from the pin?
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Angela80
Posted Friday, April 22, 2005 5:21 PM


 

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I figure if i have the surgery on a Wed or Thurs i will go back to work monday. i think i can manage most of my typing and other work with one hand. the surgery will be on my left hand. i am right handed. i had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand a year ago. after this surgery on the left i will have to go in for replacement on the right hand. my next doc appt is May 3.
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NANCY136
Posted Sunday, April 24, 2005 8:25 PM


 

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talk to your doctor....my doctor first told me 6 weeks and i laughed at him and told him if i couldnt be back to work in two weeks, i would become a drug addict instead....he said, he would try but i would have to try the hardest.

my cast is cut lower than my joints except the thumb with the cast comes up to the second joint, but who needs a thumb to type?

so far i have no had to take any pain killers for 2 days now...i feel wonderful!

i go back to work tomrrow, that will be the test....
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Rose277
Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2005 9:20 PM


 

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I did the same thing you're doing and the only advice I can give you is try and take it easy. Working is a whole lot different than being home. I type all day too and you'll find its a lot harder typing with one hand than with two....you can do it, just be patient. Wait until you start physical therapy, you'll see results real quick. I started 1 lb. weights today YEAH! I feel like I'm making great progress....soon I'll be doing the second hand (right thumb). And we all know what I have to look forward to...
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Janet159
Posted Wednesday, April 27, 2005 1:39 PM


 

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Three weeks ago I had my thumb joint replaced with a carbon implant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I am currently in a hard cast, but hope to be in a splint next week. The pain has been pretty much as described by other posters. I went back to work 1/4 time almost right away, but since I work out of my home I could rest and then return to work on my own schedule.
This type of surgery is some what radical, but I could not face the possibility of losing my ability to pinch or open jars.
I will have my left thumb done this summer.
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NANCY136
Posted Thursday, April 28, 2005 8:29 PM


 

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carbon implant, interesting, never heard of it. what is the recovery time?
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Peg5123
Posted Friday, April 29, 2005 3:30 PM


 

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Hi, this is the frist time I've written on this board. I've been told that I need my thumb joint replaced and carpel tunnel fixed also. I'm a hairdresser. I'm wondering by someone who's been through it how long it would be before I would have the dexterity to do hair again. Would sure appreciate some answers. I'm afraid the surgery will put me out of business. But uit's getting more and more difficult to do my job. And besides the pain, I keep dropping everything.
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NANCY136
Posted Sunday, May 01, 2005 7:58 PM


 

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Peg, I don't have a answer for you. I'm still in a cast myself.
Anyone able to help Peg out?
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Peg5123
Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2005 9:18 AM


 

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How are you doing now Nancy? How disabled was your thumb when you elected to have the surgery? Did you have cortisone injections first and how long did they last?
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Angela80
Posted Wednesday, May 04, 2005 5:10 PM


 

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Peg, I am scheduling my excision arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release for June. Waiting for doc to call w/date. My left thumb has good days and mostly very bad days & nights at present. I can't push or pull anything with my left hand or do anything that is physical with it. I took cortisone injections for 1-1/2 yrs. Doc said no more when they started lasting just a month or two. I am putting my trust in my doc that he will do a wonderful job.
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Peg5123
Posted Saturday, May 07, 2005 11:42 AM


 

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Angela, when you had injections, did they help a lot? Mine seems to have calmed down the amount of times I have really sharps pains shooting thru my thumb, but it is still very achy and very, very weak. I still get a snapping sharp pain now and then but not as frequently as I was. Is this similar to you?
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NANCY136
Posted Sunday, May 08, 2005 7:56 PM


 

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The shots only brought on more pain for me and did nothing for me, a complete failure.
The hard cast comes off on Tuesday and a removable one put on. Can't wait to get rid of this pin, I get a burning sensation when it is agrevated in the least bit. I have had 3 hard casts in 3 weeks time because this pin bothers me so much. Last week, I saw my poor hand, it was so small looking and I have constant dandruff of the hand.

I have to confess, I am so scared...does it hurt to have that pin removed?
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winchesterlady
Posted Sunday, May 08, 2005 11:49 PM


 

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Hi Nancy, This is the first time I've posted. I had my thumb joint replaced on April 8. I have also been in three different hard casts. I had the pin removed last Tuesday, and I was also scared..very scared. But, it really didn't hurt when the pin came out. The doctor removed it quickly and then a new cast (the 3rd) was put on. It did start hurting quite a bit for a couple of hours after the new cast was put on, but I think that was just because everything had moved and was settling back in place. Don't worry too much about the pin....It really didn't hurt, and it feels so much better without it. I go back to have this cast removed on May 17. He said that at that time they will cut the cast in two and I'll take it home with me to use, as needed, when my hand becomes tired or painful. Good luck on Tuesday.
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Angela80
Posted Monday, May 09, 2005 12:22 PM


 

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Yes Peg, my injections helped a lot at first. My thumbs always ache now and the sharp pains come when I try to do anything like twist dish rags, pinch, twist off caps, buttons, put on hand lotion, etc. I could go on and on. The injections lasted longer when I first started getting them than they do now. My last one was in January and I do not get them anymore. My surgery is scheduled for June 17th for the left hand. When I get over this surgery and it works, I need to have the right hand done. It has been hurting more now due to over use caused by not being able to do much with the left hand.
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NANCY136
Posted Monday, May 09, 2005 6:56 PM


 

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Thank you for telling me it doesn't hurt........
I get a cast with velcro tomorrow, i'll let you all know my progress
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