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Pyrocarbon thumb joint replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jan 16, 2023 | Replies (109)Comment receiving replies
I can't say that I'd recommend getting a thumb arthroplasty using any implant like the pyro carbon or stablyx systems. Both have a high failure/success rate of about 50%
I've had my cmc joint replacement for almost 3 yrs. I'm a mid-40's female that works in surgery as a Surgical Assistant for almost 27 yrs (I'm the doctor's 3rd & 4th "hand" during surgery).
The short story is this: my implant is loose & needs to be removed. It is eroding the bone that the implant rests on. Not good for someone that needs the dexterity that performing surgical procedures needs.
Based on that, if I were you, I'd get a 2nd opinion from another surgeon before getting an implant based arthroplasty in your thumb.
I have to have another surgery to remove the implant & do the old fashioned, yet super reliable, "anchovy procedure" which is where a tendon ball us placed into the space where the joint is bad instead of an implant.
Hope this helps!
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Hello. I’m not sure if you will ever see this, but I can’t really find much, if any, information of people having to have their BioPro CMC implant removed/revised. I know that this frequently has to be done, just can’t find anyone who has been through it, or videos to view the surgery. I have only been able to see the positive outcomes, I’d like to see a video showing how a revision/ removal is done. I am 19 months out of my implant surgery. I had a second surgery this past year, 2022, DQT, which is to free tendons from scar tissue etc., to try to lesson my pain. Things have gotten even worse. My original pain is here, only 100x worse, and it’s been over 600 days, I’m tired. I have basal joint arthritis in both thumbs, and I am holding off doing the other hand until I can find some relief for my dominant hand. I have an appointment tomorrow, with another Dr. to see if he has a PlanC. Can you tell me if you had the revision surgery, and if you have had any improvement…whatsoever? Thank you, I hope that you see this. I hope things got better for you, this is a terrible way to live, I’m only 63.