@sueinmn Hi Sue, enjoyed reading all your posts. I'm scheduled for surgery June 9: Combination: CMC arthroplasty/trapeziectomy/suspensionplasty w/tendon transfer and
MCP arthrodesis/fusion
2.5 years of cortisone shots in both thumbs are no longer effective. The right thumb is a little ahead of the leaft in terms of pain level with activity. I hold a fork and write with my left but my right is dominant for strength, precision, everyday activities, etc.
I'm finding that I'm more worried about this surgery than others I've had (breast lumpectomy, sinus surgeries; hysterectomy; cervical spine fusion) and can only think it's because of the long recovery (I live alone and very independent so dread being reliant on others too long.) Also worried about the pain med for the first 2-5 days is what I read. My understanding is that most people need an opioid. I don't take codeine because of nausea/vomiting once. I had a morphine pump in hospital once and also had to stop due to the above. The surgeon recommended tramadol and would add zofran if I had nausea. I have lots of detailed info from input into ChatGPT - all very helpful from Pre-op preparations for one handed living for several weeks to 3-6 months on. I will stay with a sister and her husband for the first week if necessary. Hope to be able to go home and maybe resume my client telehealth calls (I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.) I don't see a lot in the comments about the pain meds used and for how long before switching to Tylenol. Can you say anything about this? I'm worried that the Tramadol is not strong enough. My sister tolerated oxycodone for knee replacements. What was your experience if you don't mind? Thank you!