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CMC Arthroplasty with STABLYX Implant

Posted by joynett @joynett, Nov 14, 2018

Hello! 😃 Has anyone had this procedure? I had the LRTI procedure on my left thumb/wrist 10 years ago with great results. But this time, my surgeon suggested the STABLYX implant due to my age and lifestyle. My surgery is scheduled for 11/21/2018 and would love to hear of anyone's experience who has had this procedure done. Thanks!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 30, 2020
In reply to @wallyworld "Hello y'all. I came out of the cast a week ago today and have had two..." + (show)
@wallyworld

Hello y'all. I came out of the cast a week ago today and have had two therapy sessions. The swelling isn't real bad and getting better everyday and yes, after therapy, it swells but managing it with ice and the compression glove I got from the therapist. Dr. Vo provided the x-ray of the implant and I took it to the therapist so they could see what they are to manage as they haven't seen the STABLYX Implant here in Waco. I'm 3 weeks out from surgery and I'm very happy with the results so far and already managing simple daily activities with my right hand. Not much pain now and mainly occurs with therapy but that's to be expected. I'll give another update in a few weeks.

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Keep up the good work - and the ice. At almost 4 months, I still use a compression glove at night - tried to skip last night and woke up very uncomfortable this AM, but am back to normal for most activities - discharged from OT last week. Formed a cyst (doc says it's not my fault) on tendon where tightrope is anchored & have to have it removed next week. Since it requires a visit to surgical center & anesthesia, I have to go the whole Covid test routine again...
Sue

REPLY
lkd | @lkd | Sep 30, 2020
In reply to @wallyworld "Hello y'all. I came out of the cast a week ago today and have had two..." + (show)
@wallyworld

Hello y'all. I came out of the cast a week ago today and have had two therapy sessions. The swelling isn't real bad and getting better everyday and yes, after therapy, it swells but managing it with ice and the compression glove I got from the therapist. Dr. Vo provided the x-ray of the implant and I took it to the therapist so they could see what they are to manage as they haven't seen the STABLYX Implant here in Waco. I'm 3 weeks out from surgery and I'm very happy with the results so far and already managing simple daily activities with my right hand. Not much pain now and mainly occurs with therapy but that's to be expected. I'll give another update in a few weeks.

Jump to this post

Hi Wally, Glad to hear that you are doing well. I am almost 4 mos. post op and I finally feel good. I would say I am about 95% back to normal. I still wear the compression glove at night as well. It just makes it feel better. I wake up stiff but do a few exercises to limber it up and then I'm good for the day. Keep up the good work and look forward to you next update.
Lori

REPLY
wallyworld | @wallyworld | Oct 15, 2020

Hey y'all, I'm 5 weeks post op and coming along very well. The OT was so impressed that she has me doing the more advanced exercises usually scheduled for later in the therapy time frame. My thumb is stiff when I wake but with a little movement and stretching that is resolved and I get only slight swelling with therapy. I've got 3 weeks to go for the bone to finish healing so I can start strengthen exercises. I do still get slight pain (or little stingers as I call them) while doing one specific therapy exercise so I work through that one slowly. OT says that will go away with time. I'm real happy with the implant and my progress so far and look forward to the strengthening phase. Left thumb is next, most likely in mid-November as I have to get it done this year so Insurance will pay for it all. The one thing I have right now is time due to the virus, time to do therapy on both hands at home as needed well into spring next year. Looking forward to being pain free.

REPLY
1 reply
lkd | @lkd | Oct 27, 2020
In reply to @wallyworld "Hey y'all, I'm 5 weeks post op and coming along very well. The OT was so..." + (show)
@wallyworld

Hey y'all, I'm 5 weeks post op and coming along very well. The OT was so impressed that she has me doing the more advanced exercises usually scheduled for later in the therapy time frame. My thumb is stiff when I wake but with a little movement and stretching that is resolved and I get only slight swelling with therapy. I've got 3 weeks to go for the bone to finish healing so I can start strengthen exercises. I do still get slight pain (or little stingers as I call them) while doing one specific therapy exercise so I work through that one slowly. OT says that will go away with time. I'm real happy with the implant and my progress so far and look forward to the strengthening phase. Left thumb is next, most likely in mid-November as I have to get it done this year so Insurance will pay for it all. The one thing I have right now is time due to the virus, time to do therapy on both hands at home as needed well into spring next year. Looking forward to being pain free.

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Hi Wally, Just checking in to see how your doing? Have you started your strength training?
Lori

REPLY
1 reply
wallyworld | @wallyworld | Oct 28, 2020
In reply to @lkd "Hi Wally, Just checking in to see how your doing? Have you started your strength training?..." + (show)
@lkd

Hi Wally, Just checking in to see how your doing? Have you started your strength training?
Lori

Jump to this post

Hello Lori, I see Dr. Vo a week from today (8 weeks post op) for follow up and strengthening orders for the OT. I have full range of motion and ready for strengthening. I know Dr Vo will be impressed with my progress as I sure am. Thumb is still a little stiff in the mornings and still a small amount of swelling after therapy but I've been pushing it. Looking forward to working on strengthening. I did notice with this cold weather I had some discomfort but warming it up helped. I heard one would feel the cold weather with this implant, did you? I plan to get my left thumb done before Thanksgiving. How are you coming along?

REPLY
1 reply
lkd | @lkd | Oct 28, 2020

Hi Wally, I am happy you are doing so well. You are brave doing the second one so soon, but I understand the whole deductible thing. Dr. Vo released me from his care about 3 weeks ago. I do have full range of motion as well, which makes me happy. I do wake up stiff in the mornings but I do a few excercises to warm it up and sometimes if I have time, I use the ultrasound machine. I do still have some mild swelling that usually happens if I've over used it. Dr. Vo did say that it will mostly always be like that. I can definitely feel the change in weather, but I think that is pretty normal too. Wishing you lots of good luck for your second surgery and I hope it goes just as well as your first. Keep us posted.
Lori

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 29, 2020
In reply to @wallyworld "Hello Lori, I see Dr. Vo a week from today (8 weeks post op) for follow..." + (show)
@wallyworld

Hello Lori, I see Dr. Vo a week from today (8 weeks post op) for follow up and strengthening orders for the OT. I have full range of motion and ready for strengthening. I know Dr Vo will be impressed with my progress as I sure am. Thumb is still a little stiff in the mornings and still a small amount of swelling after therapy but I've been pushing it. Looking forward to working on strengthening. I did notice with this cold weather I had some discomfort but warming it up helped. I heard one would feel the cold weather with this implant, did you? I plan to get my left thumb done before Thanksgiving. How are you coming along?

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Great to hear that the hand is healed, and you are ready to begin strengthening.

I use a hot parafin bath before therapy and if my hands get cold. Maybe you can put the word out that you would like to borrow one? If you do, go online and order your own new wax.
Good luck with your "hand work"
Sue

REPLY
wallyworld | @wallyworld | Oct 30, 2020
In reply to @lkd "Hi Wally, I am happy you are doing so well. You are brave doing the second..." + (show)
@lkd

Hi Wally, I am happy you are doing so well. You are brave doing the second one so soon, but I understand the whole deductible thing. Dr. Vo released me from his care about 3 weeks ago. I do have full range of motion as well, which makes me happy. I do wake up stiff in the mornings but I do a few excercises to warm it up and sometimes if I have time, I use the ultrasound machine. I do still have some mild swelling that usually happens if I've over used it. Dr. Vo did say that it will mostly always be like that. I can definitely feel the change in weather, but I think that is pretty normal too. Wishing you lots of good luck for your second surgery and I hope it goes just as well as your first. Keep us posted.
Lori

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Hi Lori, how did your strengthening therapy go? Did you have good results?

REPLY
1 reply
lkd | @lkd | Oct 30, 2020
In reply to @wallyworld "Hi Lori, how did your strengthening therapy go? Did you have good results?" + (show)
@wallyworld

Hi Lori, how did your strengthening therapy go? Did you have good results?

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I would say I have about 85-90% of my strength back. I still do the exercises because I do have trouble opening jars, or lifting things, but I’m hoping I regain all that back because it is frustrating.

REPLY
1 reply
wallyworld | @wallyworld | Oct 30, 2020
In reply to @lkd "I would say I have about 85-90% of my strength back. I still do the exercises..." + (show)
@lkd

I would say I have about 85-90% of my strength back. I still do the exercises because I do have trouble opening jars, or lifting things, but I’m hoping I regain all that back because it is frustrating.

Jump to this post

Man, 85-90% is great. It's been about 4 months for you now, right? I actually opened a bottle of Gatorade the other day and managed to pick up and pour a full bottle of Wine. Not pushing it too much though as I want to get my strength back first. I'll keep ya posted on my progress and LT surgery as well.

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