Thumb Joint Replacement

Posted Friday, May 15, 2009 6:59 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, November 09, 2009 7:49 PM
Posts: 107, Visits: 34

It is so amazing when you first go for therapy, it's like the thumb doesn't belong to you, it soon gets stronger though. I was clipping around my Clematis today and discovered I was doing okay, it felt good. We are in for rain tomorrow too, it is a long weekend here in Canada. Where do you live Momweb?

Post #4203806

Top

dee

Posted Saturday, May 16, 2009 10:22 PM

Group: Administrators
Last Login: Sunday, May 17, 2009 7:38 PM
Posts: 15, Visits: 36

I start PT next week and am looking forward to it. So far I regret having the surgery, I am hoping this will change with time, not too much more time I hope. I wear a splint on my left hand, the hand I did not have surgery on because it has begun to hurt from using it so much. A lot of swelling which I ice at night and stiffness. I can not make a fist with out pain and of course can not squeeze it tight at all. Where they took out the tendon is not bothering me too much any more at least it is nothing compared to the rest. The position of my thumb is causing a lot of the problems. I go back for a check up on June 8th and depending on what he says I may seek a second opinion.

Post #4203959

Top

Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:19 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:10 AM
Posts: 51, Visits: 100

From the breathtakingly beautiful Rocky Mountains, hello all. Helping my best friend move to her new home has been quite an experience. We now have Internet service, but there's no cell service at all up here. Where we are is sort of rugged terrain and requires four wheel drive and good shoes! Everyone here is thin, probably from working so hard to walk from point A to point B.

Dee, I would guess that much of your pain is caused by using your hand way too soon. There is NO way I could have gone back to work as quickly as you did. I had no pain, but I also didn't use my hand for much of anything until about 7 weeks had passed the first time, and then only very sparingly. The second time, it was a bit longer, although ultimately, the graft disintegrated. The last time, I was off work 11 weeks, did 6 weeks of PT, and have had what I'd consider to be about 95% improvement over pre-surgical pain. I kept my hand raised as though I was always asking a question for most of the 11 weeks. While this may not be desirable for others, it certainly worked for me each time to reduce swelling and pain.

Good luck with your PT, Dee, and best wishes to everyone in your healing.
Barbara

Post #4204536

Top

Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:18 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, November 09, 2009 7:49 PM
Posts: 107, Visits: 34

Good to hear from you, Barbara. Yes, aren't those Rockies just amazing? We did a trip right through the Canadian side a few years ago, wonderful.

Dee, I agree with Barbara, I too think you have done too much, too soon. The Doctor doesn't always tell you the recovery is long and they don't always tell you not to overdo it. Ask your Therapist for advice.

Post #4204804

Top

momweb883

Posted Sunday, May 24, 2009 9:08 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Sunday, June 07, 2009 9:17 PM
Posts: 27, Visits: 37

Hello everyone,
The past couple of weeks has been very tough with my sister who has brain cancer. She's in a nursing home trying to regain some strength, but her memory is slipping and she has many time lapses that she can't remember. It is so sad to see.

We've been busy packing up and cleaning up her house. To say the least I've overdone it and my hand is killing me today. Like others the wrist is the sorest. I still have some swelling and some nerve sensitivity but for the most part I can do almost everything I could before surgery except for things that require strength. I'm now 6 weeks post surgery and the PT says that although the nerve issue is there, she is very pleased with progress.

We often forget to take it easy once things start to heal, but in one way or another, we pay for for overuse. I'm off to the frig for an ice pack. Have a great remaining weekend.

Post #4205289

Top

Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:42 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, November 09, 2009 7:49 PM
Posts: 107, Visits: 34

MomWeb:- I'm so sorry to hear that your sister is deteriorating, it must be very stressful for all her family. I'll keep you and your sister in my thoughts.

Yes, once the thumb feels better you forget and overdo it, if you are doing heavy work like clearing her house, perhaps you should wear a splint, you can buy them at the Drug store, they have a rigid place for the thumb and a soft part that wraps around the wrist, it reminds you not to use the thumb too much. Take care. Ann p.s. what is that plant in the picture by your name? (Can you guess I'm an obsessive gardener?) Smile

Post #4205565

Top

momweb883

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 8:54 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Sunday, June 07, 2009 9:17 PM
Posts: 27, Visits: 37

Hi Ann,
Thanks for your support, it is very difficult and I am emotionally spent. I have requested a 2 week leave from teaching to deal with this. (Most of the time I wear a soft splint - although I do admit I sometimes forget it and then regret it) Wink

As for the plant, it was in a park in Phoenix, Arizona when we visited last December. It was beautiful in bloom. Sorry, I don't know what it's name is. I, too, garden quite a bit. Most of my vegetables are in and my planters are full. Last year I switched many of my annuals to perennials because I was getting tired of spending all the money and the time planting every year.

I've started some simple strength training. I see the doctor on June 1st for my 8 week visit. I can't believe how fast time has gone by.

Post #4205730

Top

Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 8:57 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:10 AM
Posts: 51, Visits: 100

No posts for a while. Hope that means everyone has healed without problems.
Wondering how much strength everyone has regained a year or two or three after surgery. Seems to be a VERY slow process. I suppose I will never regain the strength in my hands, but I had thought that with PT and regular exercise, I'd get back most of what I lost in my arms. I'm wondering if my fibro has anything to do with that.

Momweb, how are you doing?

Post #4225034

Top

JoAnn Kelly

Posted Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:00 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:29 AM
Posts: 1, Visits: 3

I am due to have thumb joint replacement surgery soon and am questioning my decision to do so. I am an automobile detailer and as such my hands are my livelehood. What if I can't work after the surgery? How long will I be off work? Will my employer Hold my job for me? Will my hand work afterwards? I am right handed and am just plain scared. Unsure

Post #4225973

Top

Posted Friday, August 21, 2009 11:58 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, October 05, 2009 11:44 AM
Posts: 4, Visits: 6

I found this site by accident trying to find out if there are others who have had thumb arthroplasty with the rolled tendon implant. I had my surgery on March 10th of this year and it has been pure hell. My wrist and thumb are still swollen and very painful. I have a lot of scar tissue around the incision, on both sides as well as the base of it. I am surprised at how much this has impacted my wrist. I have searched and searched the internet trying to find if anyone else has had this type of outcome. In addition to the continued pain and swelling I have cramping in the forearm where the tendon was removed. I was in physical/occupational therapy for months without any significant improvement. It is as if the more I move and use my hand/thumb/wrist the more swelling and pain I have. I did go for a second opinion and was told this could all take up to a year to resolve and the scar tissue was causing the problems. Has anyone else had this type of outcome?

Post #4226654

Top

Posted Friday, August 21, 2009 7:32 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, November 09, 2009 7:49 PM
Posts: 107, Visits: 34

Denise, you shouldn't be in so much pain and have swelling now, certainly this surgery has a long recovery time but don't think you should be having so many problems, can you go back to the surgeon? Or find an expert Dr. who has done these before.

Artistwoman:- Good to hear from you, I was doing very well until recently, but of course have been overdoing the gardening and tonight felt quite a pain while typing....darn. I would not go a third time though. Enough is enough !!

JoAnn, It depends if you have excrutiating pain as to whether you should go, for sure afterwards you will not be able to do your job for some time I would think. You will have to get all the facts and then make a decision. Some on this board have been pain free in a few weeks, you can never tell. Let us know what you decide.

Post #4226741

Top

Posted Monday, August 24, 2009 5:02 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:10 AM
Posts: 51, Visits: 100

Denise, when I had my second surgery (had the left done first, then the right), I had very little pain for the first couple of months. However, the tendon graft disintegrated and the bones migrated, causing intense pain. I ended up having a "revision" surgery that has been very successful. You should not, this much later, have pain and swelling. You may be experiencing ongoing tendonitis, which would cause your hand, wrist and forearm to swell. A short course of steroids would benefit you in that case. I would get another opinion, and if necessary, an MRI to make sure nothing else is amiss.

JoAnn, I used to make jewelry, and worked as a graphic designer. I've had three surgeries, and am now back to making jewelry and working with nearly normal hands. I have about 95% of my flexibility back, but the strength isn't as good as I'd like it to be. I gave up on PT too early. The third surgery, as I mentioned above, was to fix the second one that didn't take. The tendon graft came from the top of my arm, and was sewn in and anchored in the top of my hand. I had little or no pain to speak of until i got out of the cast and brace, and then it hurt like mad. Once I got used to using it again, I was OK. I was off work for 11 weeks the third time to make sure I didn't compromise the graft.

Whether you decide to have the surgery or not depends on how much it hurts and how much strength and flexibility you have lost. Typically, results from this surgery are good. I can't answer your other questions about keeping your job, but you should be able to work after it heals. It does take quite a while before it is completely healed, but when you should go back to work depends on when your doctor will release you from care. Good luck in your decision, whatever you decide to do.

Post #4227178

Top

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 7:08 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, October 05, 2009 11:44 AM
Posts: 4, Visits: 6

Thanks yall for the information. I did receive a second opinion. The initial surgeon when I confronted him about the 'lump' surrounding the incision blew me off saying everyone has a bump there. That was when I returned to my family physician. After several more months of pt/ot she referred me for a second opinion. It was that surgeon who stated it is not unusual in some cases to have problems for up to one year. He took xrays and stated the surgery looks great and everything is in place. He also said I had a great deal of scar tissue which should resolve itself. This has been extremely frustrating. I still have limited use of my hand. Most of the problem is with the wrist. I never had any problem with my wrist until after this surgery. I am unable to take steroids because I am allergic to them, yes I know it is rare, but I had a severe reaction to them. The initial surgeon had me doing pt/ot at 10 days. The second opinion doc stated he casts his patients for a minimum of 4 weeks. I have always believed I am having so many problems because I was forced to move it so much in the beginning. I continually voiced my concerns but it fell on deaf ears. I have never returned to the initial surgeon because of his lack of professionalism and understanding of my situation. My family physician has resumed care and we are taking it one month at a time.

Post #4227749

Top

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009 5:21 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:10 AM
Posts: 51, Visits: 100

Denise, if the "bump" by the incision is scar tissue, it is not uncommon. I have had serious scar tissue accumulation with each of my three surgeries. However, during PT, they worked on breaking that up and getting rid of the bumps and for the most part, were successful. The scar tissue can wrap around the nerves, causing pain and interfering with movement, so it's possible that could have something to do with the problem with your wrist. Just wondering if they've done an MRI or scan of any kind on your hand. Things looked good on my x-rays, too, but they couldn't tell that the graft had disintegrated. It didn't take long before the bones migrated and caused serious pain in both the thumb and the wrist. I had a "revision" surgery to fix it, and thankfully, it has worked.

Post #4227880

Top

Posted Friday, August 28, 2009 9:31 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Monday, October 05, 2009 11:44 AM
Posts: 4, Visits: 6

Thank you Artist for the information, it is nice to know I am not crazy and dreaming this all up. My initial surgeon and his OT gal made me feel as if I was the problem and they had never had a patient that didn't turn out perfect. How long did it take for the scar tissue to resolve? I will mention an MRI on my next visit if my hand/wrist/thumb is not improving. I also found while visiting one of my children in the desert the heat made it swell tremendously and I had increased pain and decreased movement.

Post #4228004

Top

Posted Sunday, August 30, 2009 12:33 AM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:10 AM
Posts: 51, Visits: 100

Denise,

Until I came along, my surgeon had an unblemished record. He did nothing wrong, I just didn't heal well. He was shocked to find that my surgery had failed, but he was also extremely apologetic, and determined to try to fix it with a "revision" surgery. Thankfully, it worked. The scar tissue did not break up on its own. I went through several weeks of painful PT to dissolve and break loose the scar tissue around and underneath the incision. And while it was painful during the PT, it really made a huge difference in my recovery.

Do you ice your hand and wrist when it's particularly painful?

Post #4228375

Top