Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
I'm getting back to full strength, it will take a while. Occasionally there's maybe a Jar top I can't grasp with enough strength to get it to turn but that will come with time. That's a the only time I notice any strength issues. My Occupational Therapist (hand therapy) gave me good at-home exercises with a thera-band and some thera-putty. And I have 1 and 2 pound hand weights which I have home exercises for as well. My FIL passed away in May and I already knew I was having hand surgery in the Fall so I took the hand weights he must have used for some type of home exercises.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingertea
dgarafa 1 I just accepted your friend request. Tried to send you a message personally but I wasn't able to. Do you have questions? I had combined carpal tunnel/basal joint surgery on my left hand Feb/2012 and right hand June/2012. Same surgery you are thinking of....removal of the trapezium and ligament transfer. I was also bone on bone.
yes, what was your outcome? I'm a pianist and need to know if I will be able to play like I do now with the condition. Do you have all your strength back, at least as much as you had with the condition?
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgarafa1
yes, what was your outcome? I'm a pianist and need to know if I will be able to play like I do now with the condition. Do you have all your strength back, at least as much as you had with the condition?
I had my left hand done a year ago(in February) and my right in June. My left hand is probably 75-80% better. I still have some trouble with gripping with my thumb and forefinger in the right hand. I'm probably not the best to use as a comparison. I also have Dupuytrans Contracture and that may be a factor in getting my strength back.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
I had posted a few months ago, as I am also a pianist (& teacher) and have debated having this surgery because I don't want to lose what mobility I have. Have you decided to have the surgery? Previously I had read about some bad results, extremely long recovery, etc. and sort of backed off. Today I've read some encouraging success stories, so am reconsidering.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by kss53
I had posted a few months ago, as I am also a pianist (& teacher) and have debated having this surgery because I don't want to lose what mobility I have. Have you decided to have the surgery? Previously I had read about some bad results, extremely long recovery, etc. and sort of backed off. Today I've read some encouraging success stories, so am reconsidering.
Please let me know what you find out. I was thinking of calling a college music dept. surely old piano professors may have dealth with this
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioQuilter
Hi. Chiming in here. Not sure if you have read any of my posts on this site but I too have had both thumbs operated on. Right now I'm 4 weeks plus one day post op after having my right thumb surgery. I had the left thumb done 17 months ago. After the left hand surgery and my hand had completely healed, I could do everything I did before but pain-free! I'm thrilled with my results and looking forward to when my right hand is finally healed, and I'm a new woman! Hoping to have excellent results when I have my left knee replaced next year - but that's far in the future. I'm just taking care of my right hand for now. Good luck with the piano business after you have surgery!
Thanks for the encouragement! Maybe the key is an excellent dr
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
I agree-an excellent doctor is one of the keys to success. When the surgeon who has done 4 surgeries for me said he really liked doing thumbs I had no hesitation in setting a surgery date rather than seek out a hand surgeon. He happens to be a brilliant surgeon and I trust him.
I think it is also important to have the surgery at the point that the pain gets to the unrelenting level and not let your hand go out of fear until you have lost too much strength and everything has shifted out of place as your hand tries to compensate for the bad joint. I have seen hands like that, and although the surgery relieves the pain, the function has already been compromised.
I am now a week away from starting to wean off the brace. In two weeks of therapy I have back the end joint ROM completely and the second one is almost there. My wrist has almost full ROM as well. Next week I will be able to start moving the repaired basal joint. Then another few weeks to wait to start strengthening. I fully expect to get back everything because I didn't wait until my hand was weak.
I hope you hear from your pianist professors soon and you get the information you need to help in this difficult decision.
Margarita
The Following User Says Thank You to margarita889 For This Useful Post: dgarafa1 (02-08-2013)
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12 
