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Thumb and hand joint pain arthritis
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Mar 16, 2022 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
In reply to @artscaping …. My question centers on what determines your decision about when to pursue surgery? Last summer, my X-rays/mri showed moderate degenerative damage to my thumb joint and the rheumatologist stated I could be a candidate for surgery. She only stated the decision was mine as to when to pursue and offered no guidance as to when the progression of degeneration is most indicative of surgery and best outcomes for future function. Any suggestions would be helpful…thank you and take care.
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Hi @migizii, nice to hear from you again. I think that @sueinmn has some good suggestions for you in the next post. My decision was based on two factors: pain and functionality. When I told the surgeon the basis for my decision, I said that I had chosen the surgery based on the potential outcome (you don't want to wait too long) and the current level of pain plus poor work habits, e.g. sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Also, I had waited too long with the first thumb 10 years ago. I also asked him if there was any reason why I should postpone the surgery at this point. He said...."No".
I am a supporter of shared decision-making with clinicians and was encouraged by the fact that he was interested in my decision-making process.
I am also trying to take care of "quality of life" issues before I have any more birthdays.
Is this what you were looking for?
Chris