Welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a discussion on thumb joint replacement. I have not come across someone who has had a joint replacement in his or her hand. We have many members discussing disc, knee, hip, and ankle replacements. I am very intrigued by your post.
@var122, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing post replacement? Did you have the replacement due to an injury or arthritis? What sort of rehab have you been prescribed to do and what is your expected outcome as far as usage? I know I just rattled off a lot of questions, but as someone who went through a total knee replacement, I am always interested in learning about other joints and how others handle the recovery.
Welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a discussion on thumb joint replacement. I have not come across someone who has had a joint replacement in his or her hand. We have many members discussing disc, knee, hip, and ankle replacements. I am very intrigued by your post.
@var122, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing post replacement? Did you have the replacement due to an injury or arthritis? What sort of rehab have you been prescribed to do and what is your expected outcome as far as usage? I know I just rattled off a lot of questions, but as someone who went through a total knee replacement, I am always interested in learning about other joints and how others handle the recovery.
Hello!
I'm 1 week out of surgery & currently in the cast room. I had a splint for 1 week to accommodate swelling.
Attached are my post on photos.
I'm 45 yrs old, work as a Surgical First Assistant- Mayo Eau Claire.
To answer your questions
1) replacement due to arthritis. I had symptoms starting at age. I thought it was from doing too much yard work lol! But it never got better, just worse. I waited about 2 yrs before seeking help...
2) after surgery, I was in a split, now getting casted. I will be in a cast for 6 to 8 weeks.
3) according to my doctor, I will have full use & be 100% pain free & no braces to wear 🙂
I'll have to keep you posted on the therapy after the cast comes Off
-Veronica
Welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a discussion on thumb joint replacement. I have not come across someone who has had a joint replacement in his or her hand. We have many members discussing disc, knee, hip, and ankle replacements. I am very intrigued by your post.
@var122, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing post replacement? Did you have the replacement due to an injury or arthritis? What sort of rehab have you been prescribed to do and what is your expected outcome as far as usage? I know I just rattled off a lot of questions, but as someone who went through a total knee replacement, I am always interested in learning about other joints and how others handle the recovery.
For being one week post op, I had a hard time telling which one was done at first, the hand looks great. If you don't mind me asking, how is the pain associated with this surgery? I think other members in the future will be interested to see your post, picture, and learn about how this treatment helped with arthritis in a hand joint.
Welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a discussion on thumb joint replacement. I have not come across someone who has had a joint replacement in his or her hand. We have many members discussing disc, knee, hip, and ankle replacements. I am very intrigued by your post.
@var122, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing post replacement? Did you have the replacement due to an injury or arthritis? What sort of rehab have you been prescribed to do and what is your expected outcome as far as usage? I know I just rattled off a lot of questions, but as someone who went through a total knee replacement, I am always interested in learning about other joints and how others handle the recovery.
I had a regional block with sedation for the procedure & an ON-Q Pain Pump placed at the time of the block. I was very comfy for the procedure. I was told the block should last about 20 hrs & the pain pump would help with pain management for 2 days post op. Unfortunately, my block started wearing off 3 hrs after the procedure & the pain pump didn't help. So, when I noticed the block first starting to wear off (around 12:30pm), I took Tylenol & my Rx pain reliever, I'm sure it helped somewhat, but ended up have to take more Rx pain about 1 hour thereafter.
I was in a lot of pain the first day & was surprised on how much pain I did have being that the pain pump was there & I maxed out on Tylenol & Rx pain reliever! Thankfully, the first 48 hrs were the worst!! By day 3, I was fairly comfortable with minimal Rx pain reliever. By Post op day 5, I wasn't even taking Tylenol.
I'm 1 week out today & virtually pain free. I have some discomfort after the cast was placed, but not enough to take anything at all.
My biggest recommendation would be to elevate & ice as much as possible for the first few days, and stay ahead of the pain with the prescribed medications.
I though I was going to be "good" as I started pain meds when I first felt the initial block wearing off. I did call my care provider in regards to my pain several hours after my surgery & she said that what I was feeling is "bone pain" & sounded fairly normal.
I have had the procedure done at a non-Mayo clinic by a specialized hand surgeon. I am over ten weeks post-op. I was bone on bone. The implant was a Stablyx by skeletal dynamics. I still have a lot of stiffness and swelling. Pain is still worse than pre-op. I'm hoping to turn the corner on this where I can say it was worth it. My therapist has never seen one of these prosthetics before so it's hard to get answers about when I can expect positive results. I need a similar surgery on my dominant thumb and was hoping to have this at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I wanted to research the implant manufacturer but can't find the name of the implant Mayo uses.
Hello! @stoney - I'll try to help with insight to my own experience.
First off, I too was bone-on-bone. I am 3 weeks post-op this past Wednesday. I will get my cast removed tomorrow, x-ray series & possibly another cast or splint.
Here is a link for what I have implanted: http://www.integralife.eu/products/recon/orthopedics/upper/hand-wrist/hand/nugrip-cmc-implant/
My size is 30s.
Right now, I can't say whether I have improvement or not; too soon to say, lol! I will keep you posted on my own journey....
If you don't mind a few questions:
1) how old are you?
2) what is your profession?
What does your surgeon say regarding your progress? Did he give you an idea of how you should be progressing?
My surgeon said it will take approximately 1 year from the surgery to have the optimal results....
Hello! @stoney - I'll try to help with insight to my own experience.
First off, I too was bone-on-bone. I am 3 weeks post-op this past Wednesday. I will get my cast removed tomorrow, x-ray series & possibly another cast or splint.
Here is a link for what I have implanted: http://www.integralife.eu/products/recon/orthopedics/upper/hand-wrist/hand/nugrip-cmc-implant/
My size is 30s.
Right now, I can't say whether I have improvement or not; too soon to say, lol! I will keep you posted on my own journey....
If you don't mind a few questions:
1) how old are you?
2) what is your profession?
What does your surgeon say regarding your progress? Did he give you an idea of how you should be progressing?
My surgeon said it will take approximately 1 year from the surgery to have the optimal results....
Thank you for your info and link. I am 59 years old, USPS retired, but very active handyman. I had a mini CMC joint stabilizing custom splint brace applied to my surgical hand after only five days (cast removed)and the follow-up x-rays at two weeks. My surgeon did not schedule a follow-up exam. I live 150 miles from the surgery center. I am now waiting to hear from that surgery scheduling department about having identical surgery on the opposite thumb, so I guess the surgeon will get a chance to examine his work after all during my pre-op examination. I too have heard optimal results can be expected after one year. It will be 12 weeks post-op tomorrow and I was not expecting to have continued swelling around the surgical area and first finger. I have full use of the hand with obvious weight limitations.
I'll have my second cast (applied Feb. 9th) removed on March 5th. So, about 6.5 weeks total in a cast. I should be moving onto rehab after March 5th 🙂 I'm a bit nervous about it....
I had surgery on my thumb/wrist joint on January 8. So, I’m out 6 weeks. I still feel like I have a sprained wrist sometimes. Only take Tylenol once per day. I had a sling made from a tendon and another string attached to stabalize the Thumb so not a replacement. They said I was bone on bone and arthritic. I have been an artist and will continue hopefully.
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Hello @var122,
Welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a discussion on thumb joint replacement. I have not come across someone who has had a joint replacement in his or her hand. We have many members discussing disc, knee, hip, and ankle replacements. I am very intrigued by your post.
@var122, if you don't mind sharing, how are you doing post replacement? Did you have the replacement due to an injury or arthritis? What sort of rehab have you been prescribed to do and what is your expected outcome as far as usage? I know I just rattled off a lot of questions, but as someone who went through a total knee replacement, I am always interested in learning about other joints and how others handle the recovery.
Hello!
I'm 1 week out of surgery & currently in the cast room. I had a splint for 1 week to accommodate swelling.
Attached are my post on photos.
I'm 45 yrs old, work as a Surgical First Assistant- Mayo Eau Claire.
To answer your questions
1) replacement due to arthritis. I had symptoms starting at age. I thought it was from doing too much yard work lol! But it never got better, just worse. I waited about 2 yrs before seeking help...
2) after surgery, I was in a split, now getting casted. I will be in a cast for 6 to 8 weeks.
3) according to my doctor, I will have full use & be 100% pain free & no braces to wear 🙂
I'll have to keep you posted on the therapy after the cast comes Off
-Veronica
Thank you for sharing more Veronica,
For being one week post op, I had a hard time telling which one was done at first, the hand looks great. If you don't mind me asking, how is the pain associated with this surgery? I think other members in the future will be interested to see your post, picture, and learn about how this treatment helped with arthritis in a hand joint.
I had a regional block with sedation for the procedure & an ON-Q Pain Pump placed at the time of the block. I was very comfy for the procedure. I was told the block should last about 20 hrs & the pain pump would help with pain management for 2 days post op. Unfortunately, my block started wearing off 3 hrs after the procedure & the pain pump didn't help. So, when I noticed the block first starting to wear off (around 12:30pm), I took Tylenol & my Rx pain reliever, I'm sure it helped somewhat, but ended up have to take more Rx pain about 1 hour thereafter.
I was in a lot of pain the first day & was surprised on how much pain I did have being that the pain pump was there & I maxed out on Tylenol & Rx pain reliever! Thankfully, the first 48 hrs were the worst!! By day 3, I was fairly comfortable with minimal Rx pain reliever. By Post op day 5, I wasn't even taking Tylenol.
I'm 1 week out today & virtually pain free. I have some discomfort after the cast was placed, but not enough to take anything at all.
My biggest recommendation would be to elevate & ice as much as possible for the first few days, and stay ahead of the pain with the prescribed medications.
I though I was going to be "good" as I started pain meds when I first felt the initial block wearing off. I did call my care provider in regards to my pain several hours after my surgery & she said that what I was feeling is "bone pain" & sounded fairly normal.
I have had the procedure done at a non-Mayo clinic by a specialized hand surgeon. I am over ten weeks post-op. I was bone on bone. The implant was a Stablyx by skeletal dynamics. I still have a lot of stiffness and swelling. Pain is still worse than pre-op. I'm hoping to turn the corner on this where I can say it was worth it. My therapist has never seen one of these prosthetics before so it's hard to get answers about when I can expect positive results. I need a similar surgery on my dominant thumb and was hoping to have this at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I wanted to research the implant manufacturer but can't find the name of the implant Mayo uses.
Hello!
@stoney - I'll try to help with insight to my own experience.
First off, I too was bone-on-bone. I am 3 weeks post-op this past Wednesday. I will get my cast removed tomorrow, x-ray series & possibly another cast or splint.
Here is a link for what I have implanted: http://www.integralife.eu/products/recon/orthopedics/upper/hand-wrist/hand/nugrip-cmc-implant/
My size is 30s.
Right now, I can't say whether I have improvement or not; too soon to say, lol! I will keep you posted on my own journey....
If you don't mind a few questions:
1) how old are you?
2) what is your profession?
What does your surgeon say regarding your progress? Did he give you an idea of how you should be progressing?
My surgeon said it will take approximately 1 year from the surgery to have the optimal results....
Here is a patient brochure link: https://www.integralife.com/file/general/1453799948.pdf
Thank you for your info and link. I am 59 years old, USPS retired, but very active handyman. I had a mini CMC joint stabilizing custom splint brace applied to my surgical hand after only five days (cast removed)and the follow-up x-rays at two weeks. My surgeon did not schedule a follow-up exam. I live 150 miles from the surgery center. I am now waiting to hear from that surgery scheduling department about having identical surgery on the opposite thumb, so I guess the surgeon will get a chance to examine his work after all during my pre-op examination. I too have heard optimal results can be expected after one year. It will be 12 weeks post-op tomorrow and I was not expecting to have continued swelling around the surgical area and first finger. I have full use of the hand with obvious weight limitations.
I'll have my second cast (applied Feb. 9th) removed on March 5th. So, about 6.5 weeks total in a cast. I should be moving onto rehab after March 5th 🙂 I'm a bit nervous about it....
I had surgery on my thumb/wrist joint on January 8. So, I’m out 6 weeks. I still feel like I have a sprained wrist sometimes. Only take Tylenol once per day. I had a sling made from a tendon and another string attached to stabalize the Thumb so not a replacement. They said I was bone on bone and arthritic. I have been an artist and will continue hopefully.