thumb fusion operation, eeekkkk!

Hi There,
I have suffered from RA since i was little (i am now 23) and my doctor told me i would benefit from getting my thumbs fused. I am going to see him next week to talk about the operation, however i would like to hear first hand from other arthritis sufferers who have had this or a similar operation. I am mainly concerned about recovery time (and how much time i will need off work, if any??). Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Alison

Thanks for your message CaMama,
The doctor said that my thumb is beyond therapy and that fusion would have the best results. He also said that it would result in less mobility, but more strength (and less pain, yay!). From my understanding the joint that will get fused is the one closer to the wrist (i dont know the technical name sorry), and i have to get both thumbs done, but hopefully not at the same time. I am going back to see him next week with my mum, and have prepared a bunch of questions to ask.

Thanks very much for being so welcoming, it is good to know there is a place where i can ask questions and get answers from people who are in the same boat!

oh, by the way Alison....where else does the RA effect your joints the most beside the hand? i've terrible issues with my knees, ankles, elbows & shoulders. the knees especially.
thanks much!
erin

cheerio Alison!

you know, that's funny you mention the wheat bags.  in september i was in the hospital for a week & a physician came in to check on me, i had my heating pad...and he yelled at me well, not yelled at me...but wasn't happy as to i might set the place on fire.

he suggested:

i get a tube sock, fill it with slow cook brown rice, add a pinch of water, and microwave this rice sock & use it as a heating pad. funny stuff.

nonetheless...I HID MY HEATING PAD the entire length of stay.

you take good care, talk to you soon!

erin

Good luck Allison, keep us posted on your progress.

***

Hi dpete,

You sound like you have been through a lot, i hope you are recovering well and are not suffering too much discomfort. If you dont mind my asking, how long were you in a cast for after your thumb fusion? How long did it take for you to regain the use of your hand? Sorry for all the questions, i am a bit curious about what to expect after surgery.

I hope you get well soon, take care,
Alison

Hi Allision,

First let me tell you I am 60 and have RA since 2001 It has been tough and painfull. It has destroyed my knuckle joints. That is why I had surgery. I was not in a cast I had a hand splint during the day then changed it at night to another hand splint  when I went to bed holding my fingers straight and a hard protected cover for my thumb for about 3 months. They had to do my pinky over in May cause it dislocated. My thumb healed good I have no pain in it. I went to therapy for 3 months. After the hand splint was taken off I started to use my hand. It has been 9 mths my thumb is great but I still dont have the strength in my hand but it took me 5 mths to be able to use a curling iron. If  I had only fused my thumb it would have only been 3 mths. recovery. They can only do 1 thumb at a time. I was off work for 2 1/2 weeks. I do office work so I was lucky there. Using the computer with one hand was not as bad as I thought it would be.At least now I dont have the Ra pain like before. Good luck to you. Keep me informed.

Dpete

Hi Alison,

How have you been? Haven't heard from you. Hope you are feeling ok.

Dpete

Hi

I was a little concerned. Im glad that your boss understands. You said your surgery is Nov 30 what hand is it? Do you have RA or what caused your joints to go bad. Or is it both hands.

My drs appt went well. They just changed the dressing. Today I go to therapy at 7:00. He well splint my hand. I can hardly wait cause the dressing I have on now is very uncomfortable. After your surgery your thumb will be fine it will not hurt. The healing process is what takes time and patience.

Have a nice day

Dpete

Hi Alison,
The same thing happened to me. My joints completely destroyed. Im glad I could put your or anyone elses mind at ease. No one wants to go through surgery but I look at it like this in about 2 months I will be on the mend. That is what I am looking forward to.
keep in touch.
Have a nice day
DPete

Hi Alison,

I am doing fine. I had therapy this morning. I just hope  I can get this splint off in another month and a half. How have you been? You said your surgery is Nov 30th. What time? What did your doctor say about recovery time? Will you have to go to therapy?  Doctors are different I know a lady that her joints replaced and they put a cast on her and no the therapy. I have a dynamic splint and therapy. Have a nice thanksgiving and hope to hear from you soon.

Dpete

Alison

I had therapy to day and all they is try to get my new joint moving nothing with the thumb. The dynamic splint goes up my up to about 4" below my elbow and it has a sling holding my new joint straight and it also covers my fused thumb so I dont move or bend it. Kinda hard to explain what it looks like pretty weird looking.

You have a nice thanksgiving. Hope to hear from before your surgery.

Dpete

Thank you for your advice and encouragement guys! i will keep you updated with my progress