Thumb joint fusion

I am having severe headaches and my doctor says it is from the occipital nerves coming from my cervicle spine. He recommends burning the nerves with radio frequency ablation. What treatment should I get and what is successful?

@dixiephyl You may find these discussion helpful where you can meet members discussing occipital nerve pain and treatment.

Brain & Nervous System - "Recurring Occipital Neuralgia"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recurring-occipital-neuralgia/

Chronic Pain - "Inflammation at C1, C2 of cervical spine causing cervicogenic headache"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/inflammation-at-c1-c2-of-cervical-spine-causing-cervicogenic-headach/

Fusion is permanent. Replacement may be a option. There are some excellent hand surgeons in this country. Get a second opinion. If you live near DUKE in North Carolina I would recommend their hand docs for a second opinion. Replacement gives you the option of functionality of your hand. Fusion permanently takes that option away.

Absolutely!!! Fusing is old style - if the joint hurts, take it out or fuse it, and it stops hurting. Don't bother with the fact that you can't use it any more. I have had 3 local surgeons advise fusing my big toe due to arthritis, bone spurs, etc in that joint. I was already struggling with a joint that didn't bend right and hurt every time I walked.
I found a better sureon "Hell no we don't fuse joints!" She cleaned it out, repaired what she could, and put it back together. That was 4 years ago. I am still walking straight and pain free, and doing the difficult mountain hikes!
Get as many opinions as you need until you find the surgeon that really understands your issue.

GregV

Hello @cwynn.

I'd like to invite @fourof5zs, @ledgar, and @dmk who posted about thumb pain and/or surgeries on their thumbs on Connect in the following discussions: "CMC Arthroplasty with STABLYX Implant" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cmc-arthroplasty-with-stablyx-implant and "Thumb Pain" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thumb-pain/

Did your provider mention you needed fusion as the result of arthritis or another diagnosis? If you are comfortable sharing, does your thumb cause you pain and how much are you currently able to use it?

Big toe joint fusion, sometimes along with a bunionectomy, is a straightforward procedure, pain relieving, and poses few limitations. Personally, I found it life changing to be able to wear any kind of shoe I desired.

Thumb joints are another matter. There's not a lot of information to go on, but I'd seek other medical opinions.

I have had that done both the shots and the nerve ablation .. I has some success with both. Pick your pain management dr. carefully. When I went to mine 1st visit I asked people in the waiting room there experiences with both the dr. and the pain management. When I used to go to a pain management dr when on workers comp .. waiting room full of people dr. walked by the window and over 1/2 the people waiting started quacking ...

I did not have fusion but had cmc surgery where the surgeon took out the bone cut tendon in my forearm and placed it in the space where the joint bone was removed surgery was successful

I had the second joint fused. My base joint and joint that bends the tip of thumb move and have had no problems with that middle joint fused.

Thank you. so you fused the joint at the very base of the thumb - is that right? I think that is a much better option than joint replacement. And if I understand this, you still have use of your thumb for grasping.

I ask because I have arthritis in my hands, including my thumbs. No need for surgery yet, but I'd like to understand my options, and what has worked.

I am glad you are doing well! Joe