I had bilateral Carpal Tunnel Surgery in 2011 (right in March then left in April). Did well but had increasing right thumb joint pain. Steroid injection in July hurt like crazy and didn't work. So I'm having the basal joint arthroplasty with tendon reconstruction next Tuesday. The technique is very interesting, and I won't loose any range of motion or strength. 4 wk in a cast then 4 in a removable splint
Anyone had this? Suggestions during recovery? Etc.
I'm continually on pain meds due to multiple other orthopedic conditions and surgeries, so my hand doc offered 1 night in the hospital, as opposed to outpatient, to provide continual nerve sheath numbing. I am so excited for that as I am opiod tolerant and don't do well in the first 1-4 days after hand surgery and would have loved more numbing during recover from my total knee rplcmt last year!
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpineAZ
I had bilateral Carpal Tunnel Surgery in 2011 (right in March then left in April). Did well but had increasing right thumb joint pain. Steroid injection in July hurt like crazy and didn't work. So I'm having the basal joint arthroplasty with tendon reconstruction next Tuesday. The technique is very interesting, and I won't loose any range of motion or strength. 4 wk in a cast then 4 in a removable splint
Anyone had this? Suggestions during recovery? Etc.
I'm continually on pain meds due to multiple other orthopedic conditions and surgeries, so my hand doc offered 1 night in the hospital, as opposed to outpatient, to provide continual nerve sheath numbing. I am so excited for that as I am opiod tolerant and don't do well in the first 1-4 days after hand surgery and would have loved more numbing during recover from my total knee rplcmt last year!
I had basal thumb joint reconstruction in 2007. Best thing I ever did. If I had known that I would have less pain in the first 5 days of recovery than I did before surgery, I wouldn't have waited as long as I did. I had great results--90% function restored and NO PAIN> YaY!
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Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
THANK YOU SO much for your response. I feel much better. I have "heard" from my doctor that it provides relief but to hear it from someone who has been through it makes me a bit calmer. I'm at the point where if I carry my purse wrong and it's in the crook of my thumb the wrong movement causes unbelievable pain. People don't understand how such a tiny bone/area can cause such remarkable pain!
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpineAZ
THANK YOU SO much for your response. I feel much better. I have "heard" from my doctor that it provides relief but to hear it from someone who has been through it makes me a bit calmer. I'm at the point where if I carry my purse wrong and it's in the crook of my thumb the wrong movement causes unbelievable pain. People don't understand how such a tiny bone/area can cause such remarkable pain!
I know! People would try to shake my hand and it would almost bring me to my knees. Carrying groceries, unlocking a door, even using tape brought tears to my eyes. I tried everything to relieve my pain, but when it started waking me up multiple times at night I knew I couldn't go on with it. I actually have pretty bad arthritis in both thumbs. When my dominant hand was so inflamed, I had to start doing everything with my left hand, including writing and using scissors. Not very well, might I add. Because I was guarding the right hand, the left hand got stirred up and we thought I would have to have both thumbs done! Thankfully, once the right hand got more functional the left hand settled down. It's been 5 years and I'm happy to say the left thumb no longer gives me trouble and the right thumb is amazingly pain free.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
So far all went well. They kept me two nights to keep the arm numb. I am already on pain meds so I'm opiod tolerant. They didn't want to send me home in pain and/or with heavy hitting meds. This has been much better than I thought. The hand looks good, I see him tomorrow and a new bandage I hope.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
You'd have to practice a bit. I have had a good result and it hasn't impacted my ability to type wtihout looking at the keyboard. I do feel a "stretch" when going to a further key. However, I chose to end hand rehab instead of going on since I'm having the other hand done soon. Have you seen a well qualified surgeon? If so ask who they use for hand therapy (also referred to as Occupational Therapy since it's fine motor skills) and ask the therapsit. I found my OT to be very very knowledgeable about my procedure, outcome, etc. She knows what my doc likes to see in rehab so it helps that I go to a facility the surgeon likes.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgarafa1
could you play the piano if you were a pianist? does your thumb still work the same as when it had the arthritis?
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.
__________________
Ginger Tea
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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.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by mustlovepoodles
I know! People would try to shake my hand and it would almost bring me to my knees. Carrying groceries, unlocking a door, even using tape brought tears to my eyes. I tried everything to relieve my pain, but when it started waking me up multiple times at night I knew I couldn't go on with it. I actually have pretty bad arthritis in both thumbs. When my dominant hand was so inflamed, I had to start doing everything with my left hand, including writing and using scissors. Not very well, might I add. Because I was guarding the right hand, the left hand got stirred up and we thought I would have to have both thumbs done! Thankfully, once the right hand got more functional the left hand settled down. It's been 5 years and I'm happy to say the left thumb no longer gives me trouble and the right thumb is amazingly pain free.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
There's nothing I can't hold. A glass, a pitcher, a baby's hand, a hammer, a screwdriver, a suitcase, etc. If piano is your hobby, it will take time to refine your technique. Talk to a Occupational Therapist (hand therapist) to discuss your post-op goals.
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpineAZ
There's nothing I can't hold. A glass, a pitcher, a baby's hand, a hammer, a screwdriver, a suitcase, etc. If piano is your hobby, it will take time to refine your technique. Talk to a Occupational Therapist (hand therapist) to discuss your post-op goals.
great! thanks, you did mean that you CAN hold all those things? Piano is my career, not a hobby is why I am doing research
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
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!
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Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
Thank you so much for the information. All I was getting is bad results. Do you think only the bad results are in the web site? or they didn't do their physical therapy? I guess I should have it done----you did have the trapezium removed? please let me know as that is much different then the people who can keep that bone. thanks, Donna
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12
I had rt hand done 9/11 and lt done 12/4. I head to the doctor today for my first post op. He puts me in a soft cast for 10 days then a hard cast for 2 wk. The day the hard cast is removed I head over to hand therapy, they make me a splint and I schedule my fist therapy appointment. I did have the bone removed, the procedure is basal thumb joint arthroplasty. Because I have chronic pain issues (spine and other joints) I'm regularly on pain meds. So my surgeon works with an anesthesiologist who inserts a nerve sheath catheter near my shoulder. It is the nerve block for the surgery (they also put me under), but they keep me 2 nights to keep my arm numb since it would take lots of dilauded to alleviate pain. By the time I was discharged that difficult post op pain you usually have the first 2 days after any kind of joint surgery has been avoided. I did very well the first 3 days home, but then I was overusing my hand that had just been operated on, so it took 2 days of me forcing myself to do nothing to feel better.
My rt hand surgery went well so I did the lt hand. I'm the kind of patient who has a hard time not using my hand do that helped speed up my recovery. I have 2 store bought thumb braces I'll still use on occasion, when soreness occurs. Surgeon said that's fine and a good idea to remind myself not to over do hand activities.
Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12 
Re: Severe basal joint arthritis - surgery 9/11/12 
