search  current discussion  categories  safety - health 

basal joint arthritis and surgery

updated sun 6 apr 08

 

L Shields on fri 4 apr 08


Hello
I have been struggling with basal joint arthritis in both hands for several years. I have had cortisone injections which help some but now the recommendation is for me to have a surgical procedure to eliminate the pain in the joint. The procedure is called a soft tissue (tendon) arthroplasty.
It involves taking a tendon (that I don't need), making it into a ball and using that to cushion the joint.

The Mayo Clinic website has information about this condition and treatment options( search "thumb arthritis").

I looked through the archives and did not find much first hand information. From my reading I expect be in a cast or splint for 6 weeks, but it takes up to six months to get back to "normal". I am not excited about being out of my studio.

Has anyone out there had this done? If so, what was the recovery like? Has anyone had it done on both hands (not at the same time)?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this surgery.

Thanks
Linda Shields






____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com

Victoria E. Hamilton on fri 4 apr 08


Linda and all -

I have been struggling with the same thing - right thumb worse than left
thumb - for quite some time. I, too, am interested in whether or not anyone
on Clayart has been through these surgeries. Also, what was the PT like?

Thanks so much,
Vicki Hamilton
Millennia Antica Pottery
Seattle, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of L Shields
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 7:48 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: basal joint arthritis and surgery

Hello
I have been struggling with basal joint arthritis in both hands for several
years. I have had cortisone injections which help some but now the
recommendation is for me to have a surgical procedure to eliminate the pain
in the joint. The procedure is called a soft tissue (tendon) arthroplasty.
It involves taking a tendon (that I don't need), making it into a ball and
using that to cushion the joint.

The Mayo Clinic website has information about this condition and treatment
options( search "thumb arthritis").

I looked through the archives and did not find much first hand information.
From my reading I expect be in a cast or splint for 6 weeks, but it takes
up to six months to get back to "normal". I am not excited about being out
of my studio.

Has anyone out there had this done? If so, what was the recovery like? Has
anyone had it done on both hands (not at the same time)?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this surgery.

Thanks
Linda Shields







____________________________________________________________________________
________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster
Total Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, change your
subscription settings or unsubscribe/leave the list here:
http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots2@visi.com

Helen Bates on fri 4 apr 08


Hi,

It's been a long while since I worked in the field as a (generalist) physio,
but In addition to your Mayo Clinic information, I found these two useful
sites:
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw003.htm
http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=24

Helen
(former physiotherapist, long retired... )
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
reply by clicking on mailto:yelbanell@yahoo.ca

Kenneth D. Westfall on sat 5 apr 08


I have not had the surgery but have a few family members who did have the
surgery and all have said it was fairly painful but very much worth it for
the results. One plays the piano professionally so it was very necessary
to have the surgery to be able to go on playing. If I remembers correctly
she was in pain for the usual three to four days and then only when doing
the PT. She was back to playing in two months. She had both hands done
but a different times with the only difference was she did the PT for the
second one and not the first. Make sure you get as much physical therapy
as you can if you want to be working sooner and have full use. More than
once I have heard them all say I shouldn't have waited so long to get it done!

Bunny Lemak on sat 5 apr 08


I too was just diagnosed with CMC or Thumb Carpo-metacarpal Arthritis.

I did the cortisone shot, about a month ago (maybe longer) and I have to
say that it did help. But.... due to family problems I have also not
worked with clay during that time, so that probably did help with the
healing. And I can't wait to get my hands in clay, too!!

I posted something about a month ago, asking if anyone has had this and I
got a lot of support both on and off line.

ClayArt people are SO nice!!!

Bunny
in AZ

Frank Gaydos on sat 5 apr 08


Linda,
I have this type of arthritis and treat it with four 1250 mg of fish oil per
day. I used to get the cortisone shots every three months, now get none.
There are different levles of pain.
This is a great site to visit with lots of info and pics.
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw003.htm

Frank Gaydos

----- Original Message -----
Subject: basal joint arthritis and surgery


> Hello
> I have been struggling with basal joint arthritis in both hands for
> several years. I have had cortisone injections which help some but now the
> recommendation is for me to have a surgical procedure to eliminate the
> pain in the joint. The procedure is called a soft tissue (tendon)
> arthroplasty.
> It involves taking a tendon (that I don't need), making it into a ball and
> using that to cushion the joint.
>
> The Mayo Clinic website has information about this condition and treatment
> options( search "thumb arthritis").
>
> I looked through the archives and did not find much first hand
> information. From my reading I expect be in a cast or splint for 6 weeks,
> but it takes up to six months to get back to "normal". I am not excited
> about being out of my studio.
>
> Has anyone out there had this done? If so, what was the recovery like? Has
> anyone had it done on both hands (not at the same time)?
> I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this surgery.
>
> Thanks
> Linda Shields