CMC Arthroplasty with STABLYX Implant

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 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

I was just going through these posts and came across your popping injury. I did the same thing trying to steer a snowmobile. I almost cried but not from pain. I thought I screwed up my surgery. It was the weekend and that didn't help. I was relieved to find out it was tendon related. That was two years ago. No remaining damage. I'm glad I did both thumbs and I'm probably at 90+ % power. I still get pain if I push it with a hands-on project. Good luck with your healing.

Wow, was I glad to stumble upon your post. I've been seeing Dr. Vo for my thumb as well and after several failed attempts with steroid injections, I am scheduled to have the Stablyx surgery on July 7th. Although I trust Dr. Vo and think he is an excellent doctor, there is alway apprehension when it comes to surgery. So it is nice to read about a patient of his that had the procedure done and had ZERO regrets. Thank you for posting.

Hello lkd, I'm interested to know how your surgery went with Doc Vo and the Stablyx implant. Any issues or are you as satisfied as Shamu was? I'm considering using Doc Vo for my surgery as well with the Stablyx implant.
Thank You -
Wallyworld

Hello lkd, I'm interested to know how your surgery went with Doc Vo and the Stablyx implant. Any issues or are you as satisfied as Shamu was? I'm considering using Doc Vo for my surgery as well with the Stablyx implant.
Thank You -
Wallyworld

Ikd,

How did it go? You have had the new joint for a month now. I have my opinions about the therapists in the area. All I can say id go and make them work you. Don't sit there and let them work on others around you and let you sit with a warm wrap on and then say oh it hurts so stop and go home, pay us now. Its going to hurt some. Let it. Do the stretches and the exercises where they have you slide the thumb around a ball. Go to work if you do. Use it but in reasonable amounts.

I work in a shipping and parts manufacturing area. Small zip lock bags kick my butt! Its the slid and pushing between the thumb and forefinger. Do 300 of those pop open, place in part, seal it closed and it will let you know about it for a time. I still do it anyway. It will get stronger and one day not bother me at all I am sure.

Tell Dr. Vo I say Hi!

SHAMU