Hello! I had the Stablyx implant (prosthesis) surgery in 2018 on my left thumb. Although I had great hand therapy, I had to get another surgery to "clean up scar tissue" in order to relieve significant pain. To this date, motion is limited, with mild pain. However, if I accidentally bump it, the pain is intense. One side effect I don't like, is the feeling that my thumb is disconnected, for lack of a better term. It's difficult to handle small items, due to the tactile insensitivity. I am a woodworker as well! I believe that because this is a prosthesis, that's the reason for the strange sensation. No phantom pain (bc some nerves preserved), but not ideal.
Fast forward to today, and the wear-and -tear- arthritis of doing things I love, has taken it's toll on my right dominant hand. I've been putting it off, but now, it's time. I have decided to NOT go the implant route and to trust my new surgeon with her 26 years of anchovy experience.
I am curious about the "tightrope" option, versus sacrificing a tendon, as tendons are there for a reason. I've heard good and bad, regarding the anchovy procedire. If you had to get your other thumb fixed, which option would you choose?