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Good Morning, my Knitting Sisters
I have been diagnosed with severe arthritis in my right hand, specifically centered on the basal joint of my thumb. I am right-handed, of course. The thumb is painful and causes problems with everyday life, knitting included. The ortho doctor is suggesting Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition surgery. He will remove the diseased joint, and right now, the name of that bone escapes me. It will also necessitate wearing a cast for a long time. When I asked if this would have an adverse affect on knitting and sewing, he looked at me as though I suddenly was speaking in tongues. Anyway, the surgery is at the end of treatment, because I have chosen to take meds, maybe get a cortisone shot, wear a brace, etc. DO ANY OF YOU Ladies know of or have had this surgery? My impression is that it is not a common thing. I would be most grateful if you could give me any information. I type (of course) for a living and knit for sanity and to calm myself so I am not too horrible to be around. Thank you.

GGMaKnits
 
Went to the orthopedic doctor for the same thing. he did not recommend the surgery as it would not guarantee the result I was hoping for, would take a long recovery time, especially at my age of 75. Recommended using the fingerless gloves for arthritis and ‘just live with it’. Needless to say he does not have good manners with patients but people swear by his skill as a surgeon.
 
I , personally don't know about this surgery. But, I know that you're doing the right thing by starting out with less invasive methods 1st. I go to Physical Therapy for my back pain, & it took 2 months, but it helped tremendously! The Dr. said I'd need surgery eventually. But, if the P.T. works, that's my 1st. option. I, too, have Arthritis . I'm certain someone else may have more knowledge on your specific issue. Good luck, with whatever you choose.
 
I did have the surgery about eight years ago and it was the best I have not had any trouble with it since the surgery . I knit a lot and it is fine, I had a great doctor that explained every step of the way I also had to have done to both thumbs. He took the Arthritic bone out and replaced it with cartilige that he took from my arm, not a big thing sounds worse then it is. Get all the information you can on the procedure even look it up on you tube they will even show the surgery if you want to take a look at it. I think you will be happy with it.
 
I’ve never heard of it, but you piqued my interest because I have bad arthritis in my index fingers and less severe in a couple of others. I think my pain is caused when the nerve is abraded by the deformed joints. I cannot see any remedy but to remove the damaged joint, but have not discussed it at length with a specialist as it is only recently that have had severe pain that lasted more than a minute or two. I wonder if years if knitting made it worse. My fingers began to bend when I was in my mid twenties, never thought they’d get this bad. I know several old ladies with badly deformed hands who have no pain at all. They were all knitters....hmmmmmm.

I hope you find a treatment that helps you keep knitting. Please let us know what you decide and what results you get.
 
As a 63 year old life long patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis and multiple hip, knee, and ankle surgeries, I have not required shoulder, arm, or hand auto to date. I have always sought the BEST Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in the joint requiring treatment with the best post op outcomes. I had original hip replacements 32 and 30 years ago that needed revision 7years and two months ago. Excellent lifespan for those surgeries. My bi-lateral knees are 8 years young and my ankle is going on 15 years.
Reading about your proposed procedure which has been in use for 40+ years, I would follow your current plan with surgery as a final option BECAUSE once surgery is selected there is always a limited life span on the joint and only a few corrective options. For eHips can only be redone twice, if the femoral component is involved.
 
To continue, I live near Philadelphia and utilize Penn Medicine for my RA and Orthopaedic needs, as does my husband. The NY Hospital for Special Surgeries is another excellent option.
Don’t simply rely on word of mouth for surgeons. Check their curricula vitae for the number of procedures they have performed, their outcomes and failures, and their ranking in the region. Go for the top surgeon who patiently answers your questions and is respected by the best in his profession
 
Yes, I had this, too. The pain in my hand was becoming quite bad. I had the same surgery as nanad. I had a few cortisone shots, but knowing they were ultimately making the joint worse and that I had some years left as a mere babe of 54 the time, I opted to do it. Also, for me, cortisone shots are insanely painful for a number of hours once the lidocaine wears off. Hard to face on a regular basis. Some doctors like to insert an artificial piece to prevent the bone on bone rubbing, but I agreed with my doctor that it made sense not to introduce foreign things into my body. They do remove the trapezius bone, which creates that first angle between your wrist and thumb. Things to know:
1. You usually get it in both hands (my left is hanging in but speaks loudly to me at times)
2. It's painful. I'm a tough old thing, but I was very sorry for myself for several days afterward. I took the narcotics they prescribed for a couple days, but they make me depressed and I stopped. I was glad to have them, though.
3. There is a cast for a week or two and a rigid brace for maybe a month after that. It's not horrible and it hurts bad enough post op that you're happy to have it. The brace is removable for showering and so on.
4. There is rehab. The hand is weak and it takes a while to get full function back. They give you exercises and they're actually kind of hard. I'm a knitter and a guitar player and I honestly think those things speeded the process along.
5. Eddie Van Halen had this surgery. He still plays guitar for lots of money when he's sober enough.
6. Totally glad I did it. Chronic pain can really bring you down. Plus, since explaining my operation was too complex, I just told people I'd been in a bar fight. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'm a medical person so I usually have a pretty good grasp on the details.
Oh, finally, my hand looks different. Oddly, this annoys me. That bump is gone. I think it makes my hand look dumb. Everyone has their weird thing, I suppose.
Oh, oh, and last finally, do NOT let a regular Ortho do this. The one I initially consulted felt quite confident to propose it, but as he spends most of his time patching up broken athletes, I chose to consult a hand surgeon. GO TO A HAND SURGEON! They do this several times a week and it's not meatball surgery. It requires a fair amount of finesse and experience to do it well, I feel. The one who did mine sadly retired to train reining (roping? Can't remember..) horses. I hope his remaining colleague has his skill.
 
I have had it done to both my hands. I have the titanium joint replacement, I was crocheting the next day with a cast on . It's wonderful to be hand pain free. Now my other joints that's another question.
 
te=GGMaKnits]Good Morning, my Knitting Sisters
I have been diagnosed with severe arthritis in my right hand, specifically centered on the basal joint of my thumb. I am right-handed, of course. The thumb is painful and causes problems with everyday life, knitting included. The ortho doctor is suggesting Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition surgery. He will remove the diseased joint, and right now, the name of that bone escapes me. It will also necessitate wearing a cast for a long time. When I asked if this would have an adverse affect on knitting and sewing, he looked at me as though I suddenly was speaking in tongues. Anyway, the surgery is at the end of treatment, because I have chosen to take meds, maybe get a cortisone shot, wear a brace, etc. DO ANY OF YOU Ladies know of or have had this surgery? My impression is that it is not a common thing. I would be most grateful if you could give me any information. I type (of course) for a living and knit for sanity and to calm myself so I am not too horrible to be around. Thank you.

GGMaKnits[/quote]

Had that surgery on my left thumb...not my dominant hand, Feb. 20 of this year. In a splint for first week or so, then it was supposed to be in a cast for about 6 weeks, however due to excessive swelling, in spite of keeping it up, and icing, the cast came off in only about a week. Two more weeks in a splint..."treated as though it was a cast." I then began physical therapy...a week or two earlier than mnormal, I believe. I was able to crochet a little while in the splint, only because I am right handed. After another couple of weeks in the splint, I did begin knitting, but could only knit very short periods at a time. The month after surgery, I knit a pair of fingerless mitts and a 1898 hat...the mitts took about a week. Prior to surgery I would knit a pair of mitts in about a day...the hat would have taken about 2 or 3 days.
Since your surgery will be on your dominant hand, it will most likely keep you from knitting and other crafts for about a month or so. The good news is that you will probably be "very happy with the procedure at about 4 months." That was exactly what I was told by the Doc....and he was right.
I don't know about you...but I a!ways expect instant recovery...and am usually very annoyed at the recovery time. I somehow expect my body to heal in ten days or less....that never happens.
I wish you the very best of luck with your surgery, when you have exhausted all other options. I finally had my surgery after about 8 cortisone shots over several years...most were about 6 months apart...last 2 were only 2 months apart...then I knew it was time to bite the bullet and have the surgery. My left hand still gets a little sore after a few hours of knitting....but I am still so much more comfortable than I was before the surgery.

Edit
I had the surgery at age 73. I was told that themjointmreplacement was not recommended due to the "life span" of the titanium joint...they are not a permanent fix...and have had to be replaced after several years. Once is enough for me.
 
I am reading this with interest as my right hand, thumb is in constant pain lately. I am scheduled to see an arthritic doctor soon. Dreading the pain and hoping not to have to have any surgery. The hardest thing to do is turn a key to start the car or unlock a door.
 
I went to a hand specialist for the same thing. He told me about the surgery, but suggested the shot first. I was leaving for a 2 week cruise and was in such pain! I got the injection, and a splint. It was almost a miracle! Try the injection if you can. Yes, it hurts, but only for a minute, and not as bad as the one I get in my knee. I had it almost a month ago, wore the splint for 3 weeks, not just the 10 days recommended, and now I'm back to knitting. I can't say enough good thing about it. I hope it'll work for you too!
 
This sounds like the surgery I had on both my thumbs. For me it was occupation related, as a pharmacist I was twisting off lots of bottle caps to check prescriptions. I have three little scars on each arm where tendons were removed and my hands are fully functional and pain free.
 
I had the needle in my shoulder today & have had no pain since. I have put it off for about 12 years. Just hope it gives me some relief. Then I might get my thumbs done if it's feasible. ????
 
I had it on left thumb, the little bone removed, a tendon curled up to fill that space, no pain in that thumb at all. Glad I had it done. Wore a cast maybe a month, had PT afterward for a month maybe to ensure the exercises kept that thumb limber and working.
 
At present I don't want to become the bionic woman for my hands and thumbs so I wear thumb braces day and night. For the day the splints go around my thumbs up to the joints below the thumb nails, at night they wrap around the palms of my hands and yes I can knit with both styles but the daytime version is easier for knitting and crocheting. Two orthopods recommended thumb surgery but I am holding off. I've also had cortisone shots. Now, get a second and even a third opinion before doing anything.
 
Whilst you are waiting to see a surgeon/considering surgery,may I suggest a visit to Amazon looking for "Thumb Splints",I bought two types.One from China,very cheap,look like part of a tight fitting rubber glove,washable light support,only down side,feel like a condom,eeeew.The other is like a sport support with a metal bar in a pocket that goes up the outside of the thumb,two straps for adjustment.When my thumb plays up,I wear the sport type to bed,in the morning,the lump is reduced and the pain very much reduced.Might make life more bearable.Lindseymary
 
If you are into splints ask about the "PUSH" metagrip thumb CMC brace. One of the orthopods recommended this version however, I have both the CMC joint and the thumbs involved so this type of splint, for me, is not suitable. These are also NOT inexpensive but much less expensive than custom make splints.
 
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