CMC Arthroplasty with STABLYX Implant

Hello @joynett, welcome to Connect. If you don't mind, would you be willing to share a bit more about these procedures? Is this a surgery on your thumb and wrist again? If I am correct, CMC arthroplasty is surgery on the thumb joint due to arthritis, correct? And, the LRTI you had was to repair the ligament? If I may ask, has the STABLYX implant been suggested because it is better for being active and more use?

@joynett I would be interested in hearing about these procedures also I have bone on bone in both thumbs right now I twisted it or something its hurting really bad today. I will put my thumb brace on.

Hi! I'm new to MCC.
I'm a recipient of the Stablyx implant on my left hand. I'm a 55YO dad of twin 4YO boys. I've worked with my hands all of my adult life.I was bone on bone. I consulted with an ortho doc, who wantes to do the "anchovy" procedure, by removing part of a tendon from my wrist. I did extensive research and discovered that procedure was not the best for someone my age, as active as I am. Limited ROM, limited strength. At best, I'd have to get it re-done every 4-6 years.

Then, during my research, I stumbled upon the Bio-Pro Modular thumb implant. The idea of near full-strength, pain-free use of my thumb was promising. Also, shorter recovery sounded good. I called the mfr and they put me in touch with a sales rep, who also trains the docs to do the procedure. The closest qualified hand surgeon was an hour away. He preferred the Stablyx, because it preserves the trapezium. I had the procedure done, with the hand therapy, but was still in pain with swelling and very limited in what I could do...all year. My doc did advise me in advance- sometimes, it's necessary to go back in and clean out scar tissue. I waited almost a year to give my thumb the best chance for recovery, before deciding to go under the knife again. I had scar tissue removed and also a small bone spur removed this past December 28th.

Today, there is significant pain and swelling and limited ROM. I am seeing the surgeon again tomorrow for follow-up. Also, I am getting a second opinion (keeping the promise to my Wife!) from Dr. Jorge Orbay, the hand surgeon who helped design and develop the Stablyx with Skeletal Dynamics. Hopefully, Dr. Orbay will say all is fine and continue with therapy. If I need another surgery, so be it. My advice: Do your research. I still believe the implant is the best way to go. Maybe I'm simply an impatient patient! It's been just over 6 weeks and I was hoping for better recovery at this point. Time will tell! I'm curious to hear other testimonials!

I have stage IV arthritis in right (dominate hand) and stage III in left. Have used splints, ice and anti-flamatory meds for years. Debating whether there is benefit to move forward with surgery. Online searches seems to turn up a lot of issues, but that is hard to gauge as patients with success may not be inspired to post their experience. Has anyone had this done and would like to share their story? Any comments are appreciated.

Hi @chincoteague and welcome to Connect. You may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on CMC arthroplasty so that you can see what others have said about this. Simply click view and reply in your email notification to get to your post.

I wanted to tag @ras65 and @joynett in hopes they will return to discuss this surgery with you.

While we wait @chincoteague, what medications have you been using so far, and what is your doctor suggestion at this time?

Ras65
I'm anxious to hear how you are doing.
I too have severe CMC arthritis in my left thumb. 60 y/o with high demand (surgeon,plays guitar and golf)
I've had 14 total steroid injections into the joint over 3 years and with time the injections have become much less effective to the point where I have pain all the time. I cannot take NSAIDS because of a kidney issue.
I have a similar path to the Stablyx having investigated the anchovy procedure and the BioPro implant.
I had a consultation with Dr Orbay and he recommended this procedure to me but it's only been around a short time and I could not find any reliable literature on it's long term success.
I don't think you should be having such a long post operative course with continued pain.
I hope you'll give me good news and tell me Dr. Orbay helped you and your doing better

Hello all,

This is my first post here or anywhere for that matter concerning my Stablyx CMC Joint replacement.

I am a 60 year old male and I still work in a machine shop as shipping, inspection, some building maintenance and deliveries. So I use my hands a lot!
I have been having Sevier pain in both hands for several years. I had several rounds of injections which would help with the pain but only for 4-6 weeks. I could only receive these shots every 3 months. After 2 rounds of shots I said enough! What are my options?

So in early in 2019 I was looking for info on this procedure without a lot of results. Thankfully my Ortho Dr., Dr. Duc Vo in the DFW area was able to explain and convince me that at my age and activity level that the Stablyx Joint is the way to go. The standard balling up of tendons to make a joint and the down time for recovery and long time in a cast with many weeks or rehab were not an option for me. I did find some info on YouTube. and watched the procedure. Having been in fabrication of parts, aircraft interior construction and just many years of all kinds of varied mechanical device fabrication, I saw and understood just what Stayblyx was doing here. I went all in.

So on May 23, 2019 I had this procedure done. As with any surgery there is always apprehensions. Let me just say that for my first surgery in 60 plus years on the planet, this went amazingly well. Dr. Vo is great! I went in on a Thursday at 8:00 am and was out by 10:00am.. The pain level was a steady 5-8. Constant pressure with very little Sevier pain. I took a few pain pills over the next few days, maybe 4 total. I kept it iced down and did what I was instructed to do.

10 days later I went in for the follow up where the ace bandage and filler lining that kept my thumb immobile was removed. Other than the bruising and the hidden stitches all was good. I did 6 therapy sessions over the next 3 weeks. The rehab people were amazed at my ability to function. After just 5 weeks out of surgery I was out of rehab. I could do all of their tasks well.

Lets just say that after 5-1/2 months I am doing very well. I still have some pain if I abuse my right hand. The pain is no where near what it was prior to surgery. I am going in on Nov 21, 2019 for the left hand. I guess my nick name may change from Shamu to TWO THUMBS! lol.

I am good with this procedure so far and have ZERO regrets.

SHAMU

Hello again,

I just wanted to add that I had my surgery on a Thursday. I was off work until the following Tuesday due to a 3 day weekend. On Tuesday I returned to work and with some discomfort was able to catch up on my work load with the help of my wife, my free labor partner, work did not pay for her to help me. I worked 6 hours and had some moderate pain just from the movement and such. I went home and iced it down, took a pill and the pain was back to tolerable by dinner time.

I took the next day off so I would not push to hard to get back into the swing of things. My dr. encouraged me to go to work ASAP. He instructed me to just not push it, just don't do any lifting where I may stress my thumb. Don't torque my thumb. I learned to start the car with the key between my first 2 fingers and twist.

I returned to work full time on the next day, a Thursday. One week since my surgery. Wow! I even impressed myself! Lol. Have not missed a day of work since that is related to my thumb.

Shamu

Hello All,

I had my second Stablyx implant, this time my left thumb, done on 11/26/2019. I must say that so far its been a different experience than the right thumb I had done back on May 23rd 2019.

The surgery went great. Pain was about the same as the right thumb. I got out of the temp cast 10 days after surgery. All was good. Then a freak incident happened. I had a U.S. flag in my flag holder and it had fallen out and was on the bushes. I grabbed the flag pole in my right hand and was inserting a small wood spacer in the holder with my left hand and POP! Something in my left hand popped so loud my wife standing next to me herd it. I went to my knees in pain!

I regained my senses and called the 24 hour number since this was a Sunday afternoon. I was told to brace it so I went to CVS and bought a wrist support. This did help stabilize the hand and relive most of the burning pain. I was able to see Dr. Vo the following morning. X-rays were taken. The thumb was fine. No movement of the implant was visible. The pop and injury were in the tendons in my hand that run down the inside of my fore arm. Large bruises were now present and the pain was located at the inside side of my wrist below the palm. When Dr. Vo just touched the area it hurt very bad! I almost gave him a right hook when he pressed on it. LOL.

So I was given a prescription for a steroid since I can not take harsh anti inflammatory drugs. This pain did subside over the next few days and week. The pain did not go away completely and when I lift anything over 10 pounds I still feel a pull in those tendons.

I probably did to much to fast. I had taken a few cases of water to my dad earlier in the day and that was a NO NO! That probably stressed the hand and tendons.

I am doing well at this point. My right hand is feeling some discomfort due to that hand having taken on the main responsibility after the surgery on the left hand. I am mostly pain free when I am just at rest or doing minor things. The drastic weather changes do cause some aching. I can button most of my pants now with some discomfort. The pushing of the thumbs trying that type of action is going to take a bit to get well. I can open bottles with twist caps. I don't think I am ready for push ups or hanging from a chin up bar. Hummmmm? I don't do either of those anyway! LOL!

I am on the road to recovery. I am still having less pain than I had from the arthritis. I do not regret anything so far. It has only been 9 months since surgery on my right thumb and 2 1/2 months on my left thumb. I have been reading some of the 12 and 24 month surveys that are out there now and I feel I am right in line with what I have read and I am very confident of a 100% recover and looking forward to many years of 2 THUMBS UP!

Shamu

Hello, I've got pain in both my Basal (CMC) joints and looking at the BioPro Implant and the Stablyx. I see results from Shamu on the Stablyx - has anyone received the BioPro implant and advise me of the results.

Thanks
Wallyworld