1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles
Profile picture for chooch25

CMC joint surgery outcomes

Posted by chooch25 @chooch25, Sep 6 7:44pm

I’m a professional drummer. Age 61 and athletic my entire life.
I have to have CMC joint suspension surgery. Left hand.
My question; what is the recovery like and what can I expect with stability and grip strength post surgery? A month? A year? Two years?… etc.
please advise.
Tom

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 6 8:55pm

@chooch25 Ah, CMC surgery - I am a gardener, painter & fiber artist - when my hands quit working, I was in a panic! CMC tightrope surgery to the rescue!
I knew the first one was old - I just happened to find the x-rays today - it was in 2008 and is still working just fine, the other hand was in 2020 and is fully functioning.

Recovery...I won't lie, the first few weeks were Uncomfortable and clumsy - I got through with ice, elevation, and lots of tylenol/ibuprofen. At 5 weeks, I was using the hand for quite a few tasks, even using some sewing tools. I was at full function (but not full strength) at 3 months - full recovery was around six months, with additional strength coming until a year.

PT is the key! Doing the exercises 2-3 times a day every day - boring but necessary. My friend who didn't do them never regained full function.

We have a friend who is a drummer and had a stroke some years ago - when he didn't have enough strength to hold his stick his wife helped him stick it into his hand brace for stability so he could drum - that's determination!

72 days ago I had my whole wrist replaced - every day I am getting closer to full function and full strength - without the pain. The daily therapy is a drag, but I have so much to do yet!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for chooch25
chooch25 | @chooch25 | Sep 6 9:31pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@chooch25 Ah, CMC surgery - I am a gardener, painter & fiber artist - when my..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@chooch25 Ah, CMC surgery - I am a gardener, painter & fiber artist - when my hands quit working, I was in a panic! CMC tightrope surgery to the rescue!
I knew the first one was old - I just happened to find the x-rays today - it was in 2008 and is still working just fine, the other hand was in 2020 and is fully functioning.

Recovery...I won't lie, the first few weeks were Uncomfortable and clumsy - I got through with ice, elevation, and lots of tylenol/ibuprofen. At 5 weeks, I was using the hand for quite a few tasks, even using some sewing tools. I was at full function (but not full strength) at 3 months - full recovery was around six months, with additional strength coming until a year.

PT is the key! Doing the exercises 2-3 times a day every day - boring but necessary. My friend who didn't do them never regained full function.

We have a friend who is a drummer and had a stroke some years ago - when he didn't have enough strength to hold his stick his wife helped him stick it into his hand brace for stability so he could drum - that's determination!

72 days ago I had my whole wrist replaced - every day I am getting closer to full function and full strength - without the pain. The daily therapy is a drag, but I have so much to do yet!

Jump to this post

@sueinmn Thank you so much for the quick response! Sounds like it’s working out great for you!
I just got back into touring work about two years ago.
But now back to no drumming for a while!
I’m hoping for a quick recovery!!
Thank you again!!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 6 10:52pm
In reply to @chooch25 "@sueinmn Thank you so much for the quick response! Sounds like it’s working out great for..." + (show)
Profile picture for chooch25 @chooch25

@sueinmn Thank you so much for the quick response! Sounds like it’s working out great for you!
I just got back into touring work about two years ago.
But now back to no drumming for a while!
I’m hoping for a quick recovery!!
Thank you again!!

Jump to this post

@chooch25 Good luck. Be sure to find a specialized hand therapist to work with in the beginning. They know the best exercises and when something "just isn't right."

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.