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Erosive Osteoarthritis
I have been trying to get answers for many years to find out why my OA in my hands is so painful and debilitating. It doesn't look as bad to the eye as many other people I have met that also have OA but have huge joint nodes but say it's not too painful. I had the traditional basal thumb surgery on left and right hands,left went well 10yrs ago but right which I had one yr later has never been pain free.. About 6 mths ago the pain in the back of my right wrist became so much worse at the same time a large lump appeared.I thought this was probably a Ganglion then a few weeks later a softer round lump appeared on the dip joint on the inside of my right little finger which as made the joint very swollen. Eventually got Xrays of both hands which have now been diagnosed as Erosive Osteoarthritis which I have never heard of. Prognosis doesn't look good with this type of OA. Has anyone else been diagnosed with this and do I ask to be referred to a Rheumatologist ? How do I deal with this ? Is there any meds I can take for pain and to slow down the progression ? Thank you
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Thank you for your response. Appreciate the information. Yes I saw the RA specialist as mentioned above. She did say if I wanted, she would refer me to a hand specialist. Although I am a more of natural ways, I am going to give Plaquinal a chance as I do notice a difference with inflammation and pain. Not that I want to be on it forever.... Feedback though has been positive of those I know on it for RA, seems to help my Erosive OA for now. Still a bit of a twinge here and there BUT I realize it won't happen over night.
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1 ReactionI think you also need to remember that the diagnosis "erosive osteoarthritis" is relatively new. Some rheumatologists believe it is a true 3rd disease, others believe it may be a type of sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis. That is one that doesn't elevate the inflammatory markers in your blood. The fact that Plaquinel helps you leans towards it being closer to the rheumatoid type. It helped my Mom for years - she was treated with it for sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis. While on it, the progress of deterioration in her hands slowed way down.
Sue
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3 ReactionsIn reply guess, I am lucky to have 3 ortho surgeons that can inject both thumbs, one shoulder (now that the other one has been replaced), and my one foot(big toe joint and right in the middle where there are no cushions left) I go every three months and have been for many years. Hope they do not retire. But they want me to go to plan B which is surgery on my thumbs but will do injections as long as they work. If I have to wait longer to have injections then it is bone on bone with pain. Along with losing bone. I have never been on any Rx just injections. I hope you find some help soon. Keep in touch with your progress and stay safe.KLH
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1 ReactionHmmmm....I am confused on the best route to be honest. Just going to have to pray on it. Idk what to do. The carpel tunnel in left thumb area to wrist, still on fire, the Plaquinal is NOT touching it. Prayers for you! ☺️
A cautionary tale for you regarding your thumbs. When my thumbs got to the point where injections weren't lasting 4 months, the ortho surgeon took new x-rays, and told me I was in the "sweet spot" - the repair surgery would still work. He warned if I waited until the joint collapsed due to bone deterioration, the only solution would be full fusion of the joint. Two friends were given the same caution by their docs that autumn. Two of us elected the conservative surgery ASAP, the third decided to wait, and see if somehow the thumbs would heal.
Two of us now have nearly full, pain-free use of our thumbs to paint, sew, etc. The guy who waited has fused thumbs on both hands, and had to give up his favorite hobbies, as well as rig a special harness so he can still use his big SLR camera to take wildlife photos. So be sure your ortho frequently x-rays the thumbs for comparison...
Sue
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2 ReactionsWhat do they do to repair your thumbs? They changed the procedure since the doc and I talked. I did not know it changed 4 years ago and they do it differently rather than use a tendon from your arm. How long was it till you could use your hand and wrist? I am left-handed and my right is pretty useless and has no strength since my rotator cuff is torn. I can choose anytime I want surgery, just make an appt. But with Covid and the farm and no family around, it is hard to find the right time and which surgery comes first. Thanks for your input.KLH
It is called CMC repair. The newer technique is called the tightrope, which doesn't use any tendon, which simplifies both surgery and healing. About 6 weeks the hand can be used for routine, but not heavy tasks. My advice is non-dominant hand first so it will be as strong as possible to sub for the dominant one when the time comes.
For sure count on hiring someone to throw bales, fix fences, etc for a good 3 months. Even now, I wear braces on both hands for heavy tasks like hauling dirt and rocks, hammering, etc.
Does this help? You can easily Google to see the technique.
Sue
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3 ReactionsThanks, Sue that was a fast reply. As my daughter would saw as we drove to town 6 miles, wow that was a fast ride to town. He has been doing I guess the tightrope for over three years. Are you in a sling for a while? How much PT did you have to go to? Sorry for all the questions? I do not know anyone who has had the surgery performed. All new hires are younger and not much hand pipetting for them. The machines do the work now. For me, the damage was done a long time ago. Being retired will help and no sheep chores since we sold the whole flock which we have had since 1979. I am sad but when your hands and arms are giving out after all these years and chores are getting harder especially during lambing, you have to cut back. Stay connected I love the feedback KLH.
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1 ReactionCast and sling for 2 weeks, then full forearm brace and sling for 2 more, then remove sling but keep brace 2 more weeks, then 6 weeks progressive therapy, and smaller splints.
I went to therapy once a week for measurements and new exercises, did it 3x a day at home.
1st 6 weeks one or two pound lift limit, then 8 pounds for 6 more weeks, now as tolerated.
Pain was minimal as long as I kept arm elevated, iced at least 4 hours a day (almost 24 hours first 4 days) and alternated ibuprofen and Tylenol. I had lots of prepared, one-handed food in the freezer for the first 2 weeks - burritos, potties, leftover stews, etc.
Recovery was maybe 3 months, by then I could garden, paint, sew.
Sue
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2 ReactionsI am a 72 yo female and was diagosed with erosive osteoarthritis about 5 years ago, and initially put on hydroxychloroquine. After awhile on the drug and hearing about side effects, i decided to discontinue the drug. After which my rheumatologist said there wasnt anything else he could do for me and released me back to my primary care doctor. (Not mayo doc).
Recently have had a very painful flare up of the EO. Plus i have been putting off carpel tunnel surgery for a few years while i had an almost complete lumbar fusion. I also have 3 trigger fingers that i need surgery on, as i have all ready had the 2 or 3 corisone inj that only last a few months, relieving pain. Ive been trying to make an appt at mayo jx. The last time i saw my ortho doctor he said just call him for a referral. I did that and its been about 3 weeks n havent heard back.. by the way all the problems are on my right hand/dominant hand. What do you think?
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