Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
@ADKLADY,
That sounds like the type of pain I have with carpal tunnel. Did you have a nerve conduction test before you had your basal joint surgery? I read an article that up to 25% of people having basal joint surgery also suffer from carpal tunnel. If you have both, but only have surgery on thumbs you won't experience the full benefit of the thumb surgery. The carpal tunnel will still interfere. I hope you feel better soon. I've been watching the posts here since I will be having basal joint and carpal tunnel surgery on both hands....Luckily I found a surgeon that will do carpal tunnel and basal joint at the same time. Have my first surgery February 15. The first surgeon I saw wanted to do 4 separate surgeries and planned to have them all done by this summer. I found another ortho practice as soon as I could!
I hope you find out what is causing your pain so you can take care of it soon. All my best wishes, Ginger
@Janet 20,
Thank you for your kind e-mail. I can always use a hug! I've been hanging out reading this board so I can get an idea of what to expect. I have surgery February 15. Sounds like you are doing well. I had hoped to be at your stage by now but I changed ortho surgeons when I thought the first one was too aggressive. Good luck with the continued success of your surgery! Ginger
@Haydena,
Yes, I am happy with my new surgeon. All of his treatments match exactly what the Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend. I'm not happy with being totally put out, but doctor knows best! As long as he can do it without intubating me. I was intubated once before during surgery and the pain and swelling from the aftermath of that was worse than the surgery! My throat was sore and swollen so much I felt I was choking for 3 days after. Thanks so much for your good wishes! I will keep you updated after surgery, and will probably have many questions! Ginger
Hi Ginger,
It sounds like the tube you had previously was not inserted properly as one should never be in such pain after removal.
Your surgeon sounds like a pro & as he told you, you wont have tubes inserted, so you have nothing to worry about.
I'd like to give you a few tips (off the top of my head)
Before your surgery, cut your toe nails & finger nails. Have your hair cut, if you keep it short. See that all your upcoming bills are paid. Have your house cleaned & do as much laundry as you can. Have clean bed linen on your bed.
Stock up on loads of food. Remember you will need to drink loads of fluids to help your body get rid of the toxins from the ''knock out drugs' (I can never remember to spell the word properly & am too lazy to refer to my dictionary!!)
Get yourself videos, books if you like reading & magazines.
If you need to know what clothes are suitable to wear, scroll back a few posts, where I have explained in detail.
However, any further questions, feel free to ask.
Again, I wish you good luck & all the very best.
HUGS, Haydena.
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
@GingerTea: I did have a nerve conduction study and did not have Carpal Tunnel. However, I did have an MRI since there appeared to be a cyst in my lunate bone, and was subsequently diagnosed with Kienbocks disease, a rare disease whereby the lunate bone becomes necrotic and dies. I'm in the early stages and am praying that that disease has not progressed. Even if it has, I'm sure that the surgeon will want to wait a few months to see how I've healed from this surgery before performing another.
@Haydena: I have been using the heating pad and the warm water. Today I'm not having that stabbing pain. I found a soft splint at the drug store that I'm going to use tonight if it starts to hurt. Thanks all for responding, it's so nice to know that I'm not all alone with this.
The following user gives a hug of support to ADKLADY: Haydena (01-15-2012)
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Hi AKALADY,
I haven't had my surgery yet. It is scheduled for Feb. 15th. I have to go get an EKG tomorrow, and I'll probably find out more about the surgery then.
The pain you are having in the palm of your hand is the same pain I have with Carpal Tunnel. I was hoping that was going to stop since I am having carpal tunnel release at the same time as the basal joint surgery. Were you given a nerve conduction test to check for carpal tunnel when you first saw your ortho doctor? In many cases people with basal joint arthritis also have carpal tunnel. In my case, the carpal tunnel symptoms lead me to the ortho doctor in the first place. I thought all the pain I had was due to carpal tunnel with a little bit of osteoarthritis.
When the surgeon saw the x-rays of the arthritis, he couldn't believe I hadn't come in much sooner for the pain, because the arthhritis damage is severe. I had just been blaming carpal tunnel for all the pain. (My regular doctor prescribed wrist braces and told me to stop working when I started to hurt. This went on for years until she reluctantly gave me a referral to an ortho doctor. I guess I wasn't getting through to her that I really did hurt!)
If that pain continues, and you weren't checked for carpal tunnel, it may be something you want to look in to. Hope you find some answers! Take care, Gingertea
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
GingerTea: my ortho did not do a nerve conduction test but relied on one that I had done a few years ago, which showed only severe OA. He did tap my lower hand to see if it tingled, and it did not. Really I hope that I don't need another surgery if CT has developed. Sigh. It's always something...I'll ask the OT about this as I'm scheduled to see her sooner than the surgeon.
Last edited by ADKLADY; 01-30-2012 at 04:00 PM.
The following user gives a hug of support to ADKLADY: Haydena (01-31-2012)
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing with their recovery. I'm getting close to my surgery date and I'm getting a little freaked out. I'm having basal joint surgery and carpal tunnel done at the same time. I went in for my pre-surgery ekg and the nurse filled me in on a lot of the details. The surgeon has set 90 minutes for the surgeries. Because of the length of time I have to have general anethesia. The nurse said I would be numb for several hours after surgery....does that mean I'll also have a nerve block? I didn't think to ask about that. I guess I will have a hard cast after surgery. The nurse said they would take off that cast to take the sutures out and check out the surgery site and then put another hard cast on until I was ready for a splint. I have to keep my arm in a sling if I'm up and around, or on pillows if I'm laying down. She said I could not pick up anything heavier than a coffee cup with that hand for 6 to 8 weeks. That's what is making me nervous.....will it really be that fragile? I guess I will have to slow down and make sure I'm paying attention to what I am doing. I tend to move quickly and I'm always bumping into things or falling. This is going to be a chore...I'm glad I'm a quick healer. Maybe I can shave a couple of weeks off the down time. I guess this is just pre-surgery jitters, but 6 - 8 weeks sounds like an eternity to keep still!
__________________
Ginger Tea
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: gingertea ADKLADY (02-04-2012), Haydena (02-04-2012)
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
GingerTea: will you be spending the night in the hospital after the surgery? I did and was glad to have the IV. I had general but not a nerve block. You will be in a soft cast until your sutures are removed. Your other finger tips will be visible and you will be encouraged to wiggle them so they don't become stiff. I was given a wedge pillow, which is much superior to a sling for a variety of reasons. Google the Carter arm elevation pillow, I would highly recommend that you secure one prior to your surgery. A medical supply pharmacist can order you one now so you'll have it on time. Regarding picking things up. You really can't anyway because your thumb will be wrapped. You'll be relying on your other hand and the support of another person to help you when necessary. Don't worry! The pain I've had since the surgery was never as bad as what I was experiencing prior to it! I never had to use anything stronger than extra strength Tylenol. Now I just take one occasionally when it aches. All will be well.....best of luck to you!
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing with their recovery. I'm getting close to my surgery date and I'm getting a little freaked out. I'm having basal joint surgery and carpal tunnel done at the same time. I went in for my pre-surgery ekg and the nurse filled me in on a lot of the details. The surgeon has set 90 minutes for the surgeries. Because of the length of time I have to have general anethesia. The nurse said I would be numb for several hours after surgery....does that mean I'll also have a nerve block? I didn't think to ask about that. I guess I will have a hard cast after surgery. The nurse said they would take off that cast to take the sutures out and check out the surgery site and then put another hard cast on until I was ready for a splint. I have to keep my arm in a sling if I'm up and around, or on pillows if I'm laying down. She said I could not pick up anything heavier than a coffee cup with that hand for 6 to 8 weeks. That's what is making me nervous.....will it really be that fragile? I guess I will have to slow down and make sure I'm paying attention to what I am doing. I tend to move quickly and I'm always bumping into things or falling. This is going to be a chore...I'm glad I'm a quick healer. Maybe I can shave a couple of weeks off the down time. I guess this is just pre-surgery jitters, but 6 - 8 weeks sounds like an eternity to keep still!
Hi Gingertea,
I ony had basal joint surgery without the carpal tunnel done. As far as I understand if you are going to have general anethesia you will stay overnight in hosptal which would be beneficial for you as you will be able to have a cocktail of painkillers.
I think you will have a nerve bolck because the nurse told you your hand will be numb. I didnt have a nerve block & my hand was not numb.
I was told to move my fingers (not my thumb) when my hand was in the hard splint. I was not allowed to hold anything in that hand & I did not.
The info that Adklady has given you here is reliable & good.
Gingertea the fact that you will have a hard or soft splint on your hand will stop you from using it & make you slow down. You will be aware of the splint on your hand so please dont worry.
Any incision on your body will make the area fragile for the first few weeks but as the healing process kicks in the site becomes less fragile.
When you lay down the reason your arm must be raised above your heart is for the inflammation to go down & for the blood to go back to your heart with ease. Its really not as bad as you think it is & is actually quite comfortable.
If you have any more questions please dont hesitate to ask.
Wishing you good luck & let us know how you are doing as soon as you are able to type.
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
I am having my surgery at the orthopedic surgery center so I will not be spending the night at the hospital. In fact, I think I will only be there until I wake up, have a snack, and can walk out on my own. They told me to bring a pillow for the car ride home. About how long does it take to wake up from general anesthesia? It's been close to 20 years since I last had it. Everything since then I've done under conscious sedation. (Although I never felt conscious!) If there are any problems, the hospital is right next door. I had to stop taking Ibuprofen on Monday, so I've been taking x-strength Tylenol. Tylenol has never worked very well for me so I've been feeling the pain and numbness more. So weird to be part numb (carpal tunnel) and also ache at the same time.
Hope you are all doing well! I'll be glad when this is over.....
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Hi gingertea --
I had just the basal joint surgery with the tendon repositioned and a ligament transferred to stabilize it one year ago. I can now even shut a ziplock bag with that hand without pain. I hope you have a great result, and are happy that you did it. I have two little scars -- hardly visible.
Yes, you will have a nerve block up by your collarbone. It was a very bizarre feeling to have my entire arm numb, as if it were someone else's arm. It lasted about 10 hours, and when it was gone, I wished it were still numb. Be very careful until it wears off; I leaned over to greet my dogs when I got home, and this thing swung out in front of me. It took a moment for me to realize that it was my own arm -- weird and startling.
I declined general anesthesia and even the "something to help me relax" because I have had a bad reaction to general in the past. I was able to just use breathing and the distraction of chatting with the very charming French anesthesiologist who was hovering just in case I freaked out and changed my mind. It was my choice, and everyone said I did just fine, but I think it was very novel for them, and slightly outside their comfort zone. I didn't have to deal with recovery from the general so I went home sooner. I would think that anyone who has dealt with childbirth could do it, and my surgeon said that more people are opting for this. But they still seem to push the general anesthesia.
The surgical dressing you'll have at first will probably be a big ol' bandage wrapped around your hand and up to nearly your elbow. I had done a search online for arm elevators, and ordered a big blue cube of dense foam that is designed to hold the arm at an angle so that the hand is elevated. Worth it's weight in gold, even with the express shipping. I really think that staying on my back with my hand raised above head height for the 1st couple weeks was a major factor in my recovery, and prevented swelling.
Yeah, your hand's muscles and tendons will be kinda re-engineered, so you'll have to do some PT to get your strength back. I surprised at how little strength I had at first, but I had a skilled hand therapist who made me work hard. I had about 8 sessions with him over 4 weeks or so.
Keep us posted, and know that you'll get through this and be on the other side soon.
Dawn
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Good luck Gingertea. I had mine done at a surgery center and woke up quickly, had some pain meds then went home. I was home in a few hours I guess. I could never take anything but tylenol so never had much relief. I'm almost 3mos now and still do the exercises at least once a day. I'm away for 2 months so we're on the go a lot. My wrist is still a little stiff and I can't make a fist. But I've improved a lot. Can't wait to be back to normal. --You sound prepared and know what to expect. Good luck to you!! Janet
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
I am having my surgery at the orthopedic surgery center so I will not be spending the night at the hospital. In fact, I think I will only be there until I wake up, have a snack, and can walk out on my own. They told me to bring a pillow for the car ride home. About how long does it take to wake up from general anesthesia? It's been close to 20 years since I last had it. Everything since then I've done under conscious sedation. (Although I never felt conscious!) If there are any problems, the hospital is right next door. I had to stop taking Ibuprofen on Monday, so I've been taking x-strength Tylenol. Tylenol has never worked very well for me so I've been feeling the pain and numbness more. So weird to be part numb (carpal tunnel) and also ache at the same time.
Hope you are all doing well! I'll be glad when this is over.....
Ginger
Hi Gingertea,
How long it will take you to wake up from the anesthesia depends on how much they administor, your weight & how long your operations will take.
At a guess I would say it will take you under 1 hour to wake up.
I wish you good luck for 15th & please keep in touch with us here.
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Hi Ladies,
I report to the surgery center tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Guess that means surgery starts around 1:30. He said it took about 90 minutes and then recovery so I guess it will be fairly late when I get home. Have to stop all food and drink at 12 midnight tonight. No coffee, no tylenol, no food....I ought to be in a great mood when I get there! Did you all feel like eating after recovery, or should I just plan on going home and going to bed?
Ginger
__________________
Ginger Tea
The following 3 users give hugs of support to: gingertea ADKLADY (02-17-2012), Haydena (02-15-2012), minspringtown (02-15-2012)
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
Hi Ladies,
I report to the surgery center tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Guess that means surgery starts around 1:30. He said it took about 90 minutes and then recovery so I guess it will be fairly late when I get home. Have to stop all food and drink at 12 midnight tonight. No coffee, no tylenol, no food....I ought to be in a great mood when I get there! Did you all feel like eating after recovery, or should I just plan on going home and going to bed?
Ginger
Hi Gingertea,
I hope you get to read this before you leave your home for your operation today.
No you dont feel like eating once you wake up. In fact you should not eat straight away in case you throw up which is quite normal.
I had to wait a few hours to eat & trust me I had no desire for food, at all.
Wishing you good luck & all the best for your operation today.
Please let us know here how you are as soon as you are able to type.
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Hi There,
Good luck today. I woke up thirsty and they gave me juice. I did eat something when I got home, took my pain pill and slept. It'll be over soon.
Janet
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
Hi Ladies,
I report to the surgery center tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Guess that means surgery starts around 1:30. He said it took about 90 minutes and then recovery so I guess it will be fairly late when I get home. Have to stop all food and drink at 12 midnight tonight. No coffee, no tylenol, no food....I ought to be in a great mood when I get there! Did you all feel like eating after recovery, or should I just plan on going home and going to bed?
Ginger
Hi There,
Good luck today. I woke up thirsty and they gave me juice. I did eat something when I got home, took my pain pill and slept. It'll be over soon.
Janet
The following user gives a hug of support to Janet20: ADKLADY (02-15-2012)
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
doing well here 8 days after surgery. had one glitch, and thought it was the medicine. unrelenting pain, itching all over, totally out of it. they had my husband get a prescription for oxycontin and had him loosen the wrap on my arm. i felt immediate relief after loosening the wrap. the oxycontin knocked me out and by morning i was fine. no more purple fingers, no pain, just a huge bruise where the wrap was loosened. the pain and itching were due to lack of circulation, not the surgery itself or the meds. been smooth sailing ever since. surgery lasted nearly 3 hours because when he got 'inside' i had bone spurs all over and he had to fix them. have a hard cast covered with an ace bandage. no driving for at least two weeks. when he removes the stitches and checks out his handywork and my healing, he will decide the type of cast/splint i go to next, and if driving is in the picture. can't say i've wanted to go out anyway...we are in the seattle area and it's cold and wet. my fingers are loose, and he said to keep them exercised. i can touch my thumb with my pointer finger already. it's lovely to be waited on, but i am ready to get back to normal. thank you ladies for all your support and your great suggestions. i will keep you posted... ginger
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
doing well here 8 days after surgery. had one glitch, and thought it was the medicine. unrelenting pain, itching all over, totally out of it. they had my husband get a prescription for oxycontin and had him loosen the wrap on my arm. i felt immediate relief after loosening the wrap. the oxycontin knocked me out and by morning i was fine. no more purple fingers, no pain, just a huge bruise where the wrap was loosened. the pain and itching were due to lack of circulation, not the surgery itself or the meds. been smooth sailing ever since. surgery lasted nearly 3 hours because when he got 'inside' i had bone spurs all over and he had to fix them. have a hard cast covered with an ace bandage. no driving for at least two weeks. when he removes the stitches and checks out his handywork and my healing, he will decide the type of cast/splint i go to next, and if driving is in the picture. can't say i've wanted to go out anyway...we are in the seattle area and it's cold and wet. my fingers are loose, and he said to keep them exercised. i can touch my thumb with my pointer finger already. it's lovely to be waited on, but i am ready to get back to normal. thank you ladies for all your support and your great suggestions. i will keep you posted... ginger
Glad to hear you've got a good start. Hope you improve each day!!
Janet
Re: going through the basal joint surgery process - at least, my story
Ginger: glad to hear you are doing so well! It's a good thing that your husband was able to loosen the wrap. Whew! I'm 14 weeks out now and am pretty much doing whatever I want, carefully, as my wrist is still weak. Next week is my last session with the occupational therapist.
