CMC Arthroplasty with STABLYX Implant

Posted by joynett @joynett, Nov 14, 2018

Hello! 😃 Has anyone had this procedure? I had the LRTI procedure on my left thumb/wrist 10 years ago with great results. But this time, my surgeon suggested the STABLYX implant due to my age and lifestyle. My surgery is scheduled for 11/21/2018 and would love to hear of anyone's experience who has had this procedure done. Thanks!

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Hi everyone . Been a while since I have posted . I had my Stablyx implant surgery done in July 2021. A year later I had a second surgery to remove a large bone spur and to release the FCR tendon . While that procedure helped with the pain the bone spurs are coming back and I will likely need to make a decision soon on next steps. I would prefer not to have annual surgeries to remove bone spurs so I am thinking about having the implant removed . Has anyone had the stablyx removed ? If so , what revision surgery was done? Thank you . Larry

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I occasionally get a spasm/contracture lasting up to 30seconds in my right index finger. My concern is if I proceed with the LRTI surgery and get a spasm what will happen to that split tendon used on my thumb, will it go into a spasm? Anyone experienced this. My hand surgeons PA said it shouldn't be an issue but I'm not too sure. I'm waiting for a call from the surgeon.

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Had that surgery last November where they used the tendon in place to cushion after taking out the trapezoid bone. Did 6 weeks strengthening in pt before surgery. (asked hand surgeon about implant and he said too many failed with implant and this is how he was taught, not using the implant) He also explained that some of his patients never require pt post op and recovery is 4 months minimum. I ended up needing therapy after and after 6 months I was good. Had to work at it but therapist was awesome and when I got dry needled in muscle just at and below elbow my recovery went quicker. I already had a reverse total shoulder on that side and it took a while but I can lift 5 lbs again. No problems with my thumb anymore

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@ledgar

Hello Everyone. So glad I found this forum . I am 50 years young and had my Stablyx implant surgery on 7/7 so about 4 months post op. I had been dealing with significant pain in my left thumb joint for a couple years . Eventual X-rays and MRI showed a large bone spur and significant deterioration of the joint . 1st option from the dr treating me was to perform an arthroscopic procedure to remove the bone spur and “tighten up” the joint . While at first that sounded good I was not comfortable that the procedure was the right 1st procedure. A 2nd opinion from another Ortho group said that the mini tightrope procedure would be the most appropriate. His opinion was the arthroscopic procedure would not fix the unstable joint . I was not happy with that answer either as I really wanted to avoid the removal of the trapezium. I am (was) an avid golfer and enjoy working out but this injury had really stopped me in my tracks . More research led me to the Bio Pro implant. The company referred me to a UC Davis hand surgeon in Sacramento Ca where I live . After consulting with him I ended up deciding on the Stablyx for various reasons . Overall I am pleased with the surgery . Pain I would have due to the bone spur is gone but I always have a dull ache and after basic yard work hand gets pretty angry and swollen. I am still in hand therapy 1x per week . I started Iontophoresis treatment this week. Total of 6 treatments to reduce swelling and discomfort . Hoping this will get me to a point where I can start playing golf again . I will continue to post on my progress . Larry

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Hi Larry, I wanted to check in with you and see how the implant has held up over the last few years? How has your function and pain been?

Also, I was curious why you chose Stablyx vs the bio pro, thanks.

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Hi there . Good timing on the message . I am scheduled to have surgery on 12/29 to remove the implant . Dr Amy Ladd from Stanford medical center will be performing the surgery . I really tried to give the Stablyx a fair chance but I was not able to live the kind of life I wanted to (working out , playing golf) with the implant . I had the initial surgery in July 2021 then a second surgery in August 2022 to remove bone spurs that were causing a fair amount of discomfort. The bone spurs are back (albeit smaller) so I decided to seek the advice of another surgeon . Her advice was to remove the implant and do more of the traditional surgery . The reason I chose stablyx vs Bio Pro was really just based on discussions with my doctors . We felt like the Stablyx would be better suited for someone with an active life style . Would the Bio Pro worked better ? Hard to say.

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@ledgar

Hi there . Good timing on the message . I am scheduled to have surgery on 12/29 to remove the implant . Dr Amy Ladd from Stanford medical center will be performing the surgery . I really tried to give the Stablyx a fair chance but I was not able to live the kind of life I wanted to (working out , playing golf) with the implant . I had the initial surgery in July 2021 then a second surgery in August 2022 to remove bone spurs that were causing a fair amount of discomfort. The bone spurs are back (albeit smaller) so I decided to seek the advice of another surgeon . Her advice was to remove the implant and do more of the traditional surgery . The reason I chose stablyx vs Bio Pro was really just based on discussions with my doctors . We felt like the Stablyx would be better suited for someone with an active life style . Would the Bio Pro worked better ? Hard to say.

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Just saw this post. I have arthritis in my - well everywhere including the base of my thumb. The Dr. recommended 1) learn to live with it (the pain was not close to disabling), 2) have surgery where tendons are used - actually coiled - to provide some cushioning. He did not recommend joint replacement.

Arthroplasty works best, IMO, for knees, hips, and shoulders. For the feet and hands, both complex structures, I don't think medical science has a good solution for joint replacement.

I've had both knees replaced with outstanding success and will need a TSR at some point. I did finally get bunioneictomies on both feet and had the big toe joints fused. I don't miss any loss in flexibility (in fairness, I don't run anymore either) and the awful pain from wearing dress shoes is gone.

Anyway, I just would not do a joint replacement in my feet or hands, and probably not my ankle either.

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@lkd

Wow, was I glad to stumble upon your post. I've been seeing Dr. Vo for my thumb as well and after several failed attempts with steroid injections, I am scheduled to have the Stablyx surgery on July 7th. Although I trust Dr. Vo and think he is an excellent doctor, there is alway apprehension when it comes to surgery. So it is nice to read about a patient of his that had the procedure done and had ZERO regrets. Thank you for posting.

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what happened since then?

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