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Thumb arthritis: Did anyone have carpometacarpal (CMC) surgery?

Posted by dmk @dmk, Oct 5, 2022

Has anyone had CMC surgery where the trapezium bone is removed and your tendons are knotted to sit in the space to cushion your thumb? If so what was your experience? Thanks in advance

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 4 days ago
In reply to @heatherblynn "@sueinmn Hi, I am an art teacher and surgeon recommending tightrope surgery. You said complete rest..." + (show)
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@sueinmn
Hi,
I am an art teacher and surgeon recommending tightrope surgery.
You said complete rest
So should I stay home from work three weeks?
Also can you mention you are a fiber artist. Can you thread a needle and hold fabric to hand sew since surgery?

Jump to this post

@heatherblynn Hi Heather - Yes, I can use/thread a needle, operate my sewing machine, do intricate weaving/fabric manipulation, use both scissors and rotary cutters, paint, and more.

On the first surgery, I think I went back to work after a week or so, in my splint, and didn't try to use the (non-dominant) hand until week 4 . After the second operation, I was already retired, but I was back using the hand gently, in the splint at 3-4 weeks. I was using watercolors, and sewing with my machine by then. Therapy and full recovery takes about 3 months, with full strength at 5-6 months.

Now, years later, I continue to use my hands extensively every day - sewing, painting, gardening, cooking and baking. During really heavy use, I still protect my thumbs with the splints.

Be prepared for a feeling of helplessness at first, but at least in my case, it was very worthwhile. Be sure to find a hand therapist (OT) who makes custom splints that are adjustable as you heal. My friend whose doc used off-the-shelf splints had a lot more issues.
Finally, don't wait too long to have the surgery - another friend "never had time" and by the time he was ready for surgery, the thumb joints had collapsed and he had to have them fused, so he has little use.

REPLY
1 reply
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dmk | @dmk | 3 days ago
In reply to @heatherblynn "@sueinmn Hi, I am an art teacher and surgeon recommending tightrope surgery. You said complete rest..." + (show)
Profile picture for heatherblynn @heatherblynn

@sueinmn
Hi,
I am an art teacher and surgeon recommending tightrope surgery.
You said complete rest
So should I stay home from work three weeks?
Also can you mention you are a fiber artist. Can you thread a needle and hold fabric to hand sew since surgery?

Jump to this post

@heatherblynn
Am not an artist but I can thread a needle etc since surgery I have no pain to date. I did have pre pt to strengthen and had pt after because I had to desensitize my hyper active nerves
I was not allowed to use hand for 2 weeks post op. My
surgeon said most of his patients don’t even need pt post op. I did, I believe because of my reverse total shoulder on same arm. Surgery for me was worth it, feels like a normal thumb. It was a long recovery for me but worth it

REPLY
1 reply
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heatherblynn | @heatherblynn | 3 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@heatherblynn Hi Heather - Yes, I can use/thread a needle, operate my sewing machine, do intricate..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@heatherblynn Hi Heather - Yes, I can use/thread a needle, operate my sewing machine, do intricate weaving/fabric manipulation, use both scissors and rotary cutters, paint, and more.

On the first surgery, I think I went back to work after a week or so, in my splint, and didn't try to use the (non-dominant) hand until week 4 . After the second operation, I was already retired, but I was back using the hand gently, in the splint at 3-4 weeks. I was using watercolors, and sewing with my machine by then. Therapy and full recovery takes about 3 months, with full strength at 5-6 months.

Now, years later, I continue to use my hands extensively every day - sewing, painting, gardening, cooking and baking. During really heavy use, I still protect my thumbs with the splints.

Be prepared for a feeling of helplessness at first, but at least in my case, it was very worthwhile. Be sure to find a hand therapist (OT) who makes custom splints that are adjustable as you heal. My friend whose doc used off-the-shelf splints had a lot more issues.
Finally, don't wait too long to have the surgery - another friend "never had time" and by the time he was ready for surgery, the thumb joints had collapsed and he had to have them fused, so he has little use.

Jump to this post

@sueinmn
Thank you so much this gives me so much comfort
You have no idea

REPLY
Profile picture for heatherblynn
heatherblynn | @heatherblynn | 3 days ago
In reply to @dmk "@heatherblynn Am not an artist but I can thread a needle etc since surgery I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for dmk @dmk

@heatherblynn
Am not an artist but I can thread a needle etc since surgery I have no pain to date. I did have pre pt to strengthen and had pt after because I had to desensitize my hyper active nerves
I was not allowed to use hand for 2 weeks post op. My
surgeon said most of his patients don’t even need pt post op. I did, I believe because of my reverse total shoulder on same arm. Surgery for me was worth it, feels like a normal thumb. It was a long recovery for me but worth it

Jump to this post

@dmk thank you for your reply
Helps knowing it’s results are worth it

REPLY
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