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NANCY136
Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2005 9:05 PM


 

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Today, I felt so good, I went and had my nails done! I had so much mroe range of motion than I had before PT yesterday.
So There is a light at the end of this tunnel?
Rose277, question for you since you had your surgery 6 weeks before mine....how is your thumb now? What can and what can't you do? Does it still feel like your tendon is as tight as anything? Can you pinch yet? Is there any numness left in your hand?

Being a righty and having your right hand operated on, well, it gave me so real problems, but I have the brace off and am typing with two hands and am slowly getting there.
Thanks
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NANCY136
Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2005 9:06 PM


 

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Would love to know where everyone is from..........Mercer County New Jersey, and you?
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Angela80
Posted Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:05 AM


 

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I'm in Kansas City, Kansas
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winchesterlady
Posted Wednesday, May 18, 2005 12:24 PM


 

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I live in Winchester, Virginia. Yesterday I finally got the hard cast taken off. He gave me a wrist/thumb splint to wear. I'm to wear it all the time, except can take it off for bathing. I was surprised to hear that he wanted me to do this for another month....then I go back to see him and I suppose start some sort of therapy. I thought I would be doing therapy sooner.
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PerryAnn35
Posted Wednesday, May 18, 2005 6:07 PM


 

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I live near Madison Wisconsin. Saw the surgeon yesturday 6 days after surgery because of intense itching under my cast. They took the cast off and everything looked good. I got my hard plastic splint a week early. Deciding on the color was the hardest. I picked a light purple because it is one of the newest shades for Spring. Seeing the incision nearly brought me to my knees. I am going back to work for a few hours on Friday; just to answer some e-mails and get organized for the real thing next week. One of my cowokers threatened to ducttape me to my chair. It feels so much better being out of the cast. Next week after the stitches come out the PT starts.
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NANCY136
Posted Thursday, May 19, 2005 6:30 AM


 

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Well, I have my hard cast off with a splint type cast on which I am suppose to wear sat work, but honestly, the metal rod digs into my insision so I wear it only when it hurts not to. I have been going to PT and what a difference.
Us ladies my be guinia pigs, each one was done the same but the post op different, maybe we might be able to advise our doctors of the others so they might learn by experience.
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PerryAnn35
Posted Thursday, May 19, 2005 10:47 AM


 

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My splint is made of a hard plastic which was softened in a heated waterbath and then molded to the shape of my hand. A small slit was cut to make the hole for my thumb to go through. It is held in place by velcro straps. The velcro strap anchors were glued to the sides of the splint and it is comfortable. It was custom fitted by the therapist.
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Rose277
Posted Friday, May 20, 2005 12:58 AM


 

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Nancy, I'm from Arlington,TX..but originally from Lk Hopatcong, NJ...yes my thumb is moving great. Still have some stiffness, but am able to move it a whole lot. Going to the doc tomorrow for another checkup...my therapist thinks he's going to release me. She's advised the stiffness is tendon tightness and will get better with time. It gets real stiff sometimes between the 2ns and 3rd joint, near the thumbnail...but I'm lifting 2 lb. weights in therapy...I'm so happy..going back to the gym next week and going back to strength training. YEAH! don't know how I'll work all the machines with my left hand, but I'll get it done...maybe tomorrow he'll let me know when we do the right hand..I really don't want it done before the fall and all this stiffness is gone, but its better every day...I'll let y'all know what he says tomorrow...Rose
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Rose277
Posted Friday, May 20, 2005 1:00 AM


 

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PerryAnn, my splint was identical to yours....but after 7 weeks I was ready to get rid of it...Rose
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NANCY136
Posted Saturday, May 21, 2005 10:48 PM


 

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spoke to my pt yesterday and he will be talking to my doc to see if i could get one of them too. the seams all meet at my incision site, that's my problem.
Post #4133835
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Rose277
Posted Monday, May 23, 2005 8:04 PM


 

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Nancy, even with the plastic splint, you'll have some irritation on the incision site. I found that once I got the plastic splint, I bought a pair of cheap tube socks, cut off the two ends and used it as a cushion between the splint and my skin. Worked pretty well....good luck.
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PerryAnn35
Posted Monday, May 23, 2005 8:49 PM


 

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My PT provides me with stretchy cloth liners. She gives me enough to be able to change every other day or so. I still need to find something that covers the inside of the thumb hole. I tried a glove with the fingers cut off but the thumb opening of my splint was not large enough.I'll have to ask for an adjustment on Wednesday when I go into have my stitches out and to begin PT. How long did everyone have to use the pain medication? When does it start to feel better?
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NANCY136
Posted Monday, May 23, 2005 9:57 PM


 

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Once I went back to work, two weeks post surgery, no more pain killers.
Should have taken two prior to having the pin removed, oh well.
It feels pretty good actually. I just find the irration very annoying and it gets so sore and red.
At PT tonight, I did one lb weights, stretching, and my range of motion is about 45 degrees. Almost as good as it was prior to the surgery. Steady progress. June 7th, I go to see the doctor, then I have this feeling, it's do your thing.
When my hand gets tired, I want something to support my thumb, but I try to do stregthening exercises most of the day.
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ErieMimi
Posted Wednesday, May 25, 2005 9:32 AM


 

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I have been diagnosed with basal joint arthritis in both hands. In the left hand, I do have bone spurs that have broken off. In the right hand, I have the spurs, but none have broken off (yet). I am interested in hearing anything that anyone has to say about the basal joint arthroplasty; like realistic recovery time and follow-up care and therapy.Also, I am looking for what kind of computer mouse might be “basal joint arthritis friendly”.
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NANCY136
Posted Wednesday, May 25, 2005 8:25 PM


 

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Welcome aboard! There are a few of us currently going thru this. My surgery was April 11th and am in PT and my range of motion is improving daily. How long? hmm every person is different, every body.......I met a nurse who told me from surgery until full usage on my thumb, 6 months.I'm at 6 weeks and the tunnel is long but I do see the light at the end. It's just getting there.
If you go over the previous messasges, it will give you so much information. After reading them, ask the questions you still have and I'm sure one of us will try to help you.
I don't know of a mouse that would work.
I'm right handed and has learned to do everything with my left hand.
Suggestion, the most difficult thing is putting a bra on and off. Suggestion....sport bras.....another suggestion, a no frills hairdo...and someone who does a good waxing! I just learned yesterday how to shave my left armpit...got usage of my hand back enough to do it myself!
Tying shoe laces, I accomplished last week by myself.
Good luck and let me know what was not covered.
Oh, I went into the surgery area of the AF and asked some questions about the surgery and the sent me information that put my mind at ease.
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ErieMimi
Posted Friday, May 27, 2005 3:52 PM


 

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Nancy, thanks for responding. I have read all of the messages on this thread and it will all be very helpful. I am going for a second opinion on June 8, and am procrastinating the scheduling of this surgery as long as possible.I have to go about 80 miles to get a second opinion and I may have to travel for the surgery, also. Time will tell on that. From what you all have said you really have no use of the hand or fingers for weeks following the surgery...?WOW!
But, I guess, comparing that to the daily pain, it's not so bad! I am gathering as much information as possible so I don't have too many surprises later on!! Do you know if this is something that needs re-done after so many years or should it last--I am 47 and post-menopausa?? I won't be checking this again until tuesday. have a great haoliday weekend-and thanks! M
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NANCY136
Posted Friday, May 27, 2005 9:47 PM


 

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I don't think you can have a bone removed twice. As for the tndons, unless there is a serious injury to it, I would think this is a one time thing. There really isn't a part to wear out like a knee.
I spoke to my PT about this and this is what he told me, but I will ask my doctor when I see him on the 6th.
I met as man today who had the same surgery in FEb and he said, there is NO pain. He can't stretch his thumb out 100%, but I do not plan to use my thumb that way anyway. I don't even need it to hitchhike...I just want to do simple things like write and knit.
And put my clothes on without any help from anyone else. I want to be indepentant.
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PerryAnn35
Posted Friday, May 27, 2005 10:40 PM


 

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My stitches came out on Wednesday. I have been experiencing a stinging sensation jus above the incision. I thought that this would feel better with the stitches out. has anyone else had this same kind of pain. It doesn't go away with ibuprofen. The PT said that this was not uncommon. I find it quite bothersome. Enough complaining... My strength is coming back nicely. There was even improvement between Wednesdays PT appointment and todays appointment. My PT suggested that I gently massage my incision but I can't stand touching it. ErieMimi, life is too short to deal with daily pain that is not going to get better. Atleast after surgery, you know that each day you heal a bit more and that the pain will get less and less.
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NANCY136
Posted Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:36 PM


 

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PerryAnn, ditto for the pain. I notice when I do too much with it, same thing.
The tendons are sooooooooo tight, I think its from stretching something that has been cooped up too long.
Pre-rain, I get that sensation...and that is not where they took the bone, maybe it's an echo pain.
Parafin takes my aches away, try it on your hand.............feels so good and the movement is like coming out of PT.
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PerryAnn35
Posted Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:41 PM


 

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Nancy, Thanks. Just knowing that someone else has experienced the same kind of pain makes it hurt just a little less. My incision needs a teensy bit more healing before I can start the parafin dips. It just so happens that I got a great deal on one last winter. Now I can't wait to use it.
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