Thumb op

pheebs

Hi everyone,

I had my thumb op yesterday and now know the procedure is called a trapeziectomy. I was referred by the physio and met the surgeon for the first time yesterday a couple of hours before the op. and he spent just under 2 mins telling me what he'd be doing!!

I now look as if i have boxing glove on. I'll now spend the next few weeks feeling guilty about being off work.

If anyone else has had this type of op i'd be interested to find out if it was succesful.

best wishes, Pheebs x

woodbon

Hello, No not the same op. I had carpel tunnel, but I know what you mean about the boxing glove! I do get pain in that area though. Hope all goes well for you and it heals up nicely. Take care and have plenty of rest. Love Sue

catlover09

pheebs wrote:

Hi everyone,

I had my thumb op yesterday and now know the procedure is called a trapeziectomy. I was referred by the physio and met the surgeon for the first time yesterday a couple of hours before the op. and he spent just under 2 mins telling me what he'd be doing!!

I now look as if i have boxing glove on. I'll now spend the next few weeks feeling guilty about being off work.

If anyone else has had this type of op i'd be interested to find out if it was succesful.

best wishes, Pheebs x

Hi Pheebs, I have recently been advised by a hand surgeon to have this operation. I only had OA in my thumb diagnosed (following X rays) by my GP a few weeks ago and was advised to take anti-inflammatories and possibly consider steroid injections in the future. I asked for a specialist referral and the surgeon I saw straight away recommended a trapeziectomy as the treatment of choice. I must admit I was a bit shocked at the speed at which the medical opinion appeared to have moved on although the pain is getting steadily worse. I am seeing the specialist again next week and need to decide whether to go for the op although I am thinking it may be best to get it done now whilst it is on offer at a good hospital and whilst I am reasonably young and fit. I would be interested to know of others' experiences and hope you make a good recovery Pheebs and you mustn't feel guilty about being off work, your health is more important. Best wishes Catlover

pheebs

My stitches will be removed in 2 weeks so I'll keep you updated.

All the best to you.

Pheebs x

joyful164

Hi

Hope you heal nice and quick.
I may have either a CPS op or something like your op. left hand ex painful tingley & v painful thumb. waiting for nerve test soon

all best

joy

catlover09

pheebs wrote:

My stitches will be removed in 2 weeks so I'll keep you updated.

All the best to you.

Pheebs x

Hi Pheebs, how are you getting on following your operation? I have now seen a second hand surgeon who has advised me NOT to have the trapziectomy. I am really unsure what to do. The pain is not bad but getting more persistent. I'm wondering whether to try injections first. Hope all is well with you. Best wishes, Catlover

pheebs

Hi Catlover,

Plaster cast and stitches were removed last Friday so it's nice to be able to wear something that doesn't have a wide sleeve, and more importantly I can have a shower without having to wear a plastic bin liner over my arm!!

I now have a splint to wear and also some gauze padding and a plaster over the ends of the pins - they are positioned at the base of the thumb and go through to the other side of my hand. The pins come out on Friday 30th Oct. so that will be an experience, then physio starts.

I can't tell you any more until 30th, but I'm sure the result will be an improvement because I'd virtually lost the use of my thumb and there was no room left to get a needle in for a cortisone injection.

My other thumb is heading the same way but I may manage an injection before it gets to the operation stage.

Sorry I can't tell you any more for now but I will keep in touch.

It's difficult knowing what to do for the best, but I feel I've done the right thing, and I think it all depends on the surgeon. I know someone else (in their 40's) who was told that the only option was to have a fusion because they were too young to have a plastic joint inserted. No mention of the type of treatment I've had.

I'll be in touch once the next stage in the process is over.

Best wishes,

Pheebs x

joyful164

pheebs wrote:

Hi everyone,

I had my thumb op yesterday and now know the procedure is called a trapeziectomy. I was referred by the physio and met the surgeon for the first time yesterday a couple of hours before the op. and he spent just under 2 mins telling me what he'd be doing!!

I now look as if i have boxing glove on. I'll now spend the next few weeks feeling guilty about being off work.

If anyone else has had this type of op i'd be interested to find out if it was succesful.

best wishes, Pheebs x

How can you feel guilty being off work when you have the prrof at the end of your finger, oh sorry thumb

joy

pheebs

Hi Joy,

You're right!! Being off work has given me time to think and no, I no longer feel guilty about being off. My boss has a bit of an unfortunate manner and does her best to make me feel bad. Funnily enough, she's not like that with everyone!! I reially must toughen up!! Bit of a sap/wimp!!

Pheebs x

joyful164

pheebs wrote:

Hi Joy,

You're right!! Being off work has given me time to think and no, I no longer feel guilty about being off. My boss has a bit of an unfortunate manner and does her best to make me feel bad. Funnily enough, she's not like that with everyone!! I reially must toughen up!! Bit of a sap/wimp!!

Pheebs x

Firstly, I shouldn't have compared what you have had don with a CTS op? I blame myself for not doing my homework, as usual.
What you have had done sounds hurrendous and to probably have to go through it again, poor you. Your boss sounds like someone I use to work with and eventually, after a year or two of me fighting her the whole time because she bullied me, I won and she went.
Sounds like someone ought to sit down and explain life to her sometime. I suppose you have one of those situations whereby you have to report to her and cannot go above her, but if you can then suggest you speak to someone.

Hope you are continuing to heal ok.
joy

susanna1

Hi,

I had a trapeziectomy 7 years ago, had lost use through pain and degeneration of joint in both hands. I had and was allergic to the cortisone injections so rheumatologist said surgery only option left for me. If you are to have this operation please get your surgeon to outline any complications that may occur. I had the first hand done and unfortunately got a rare complication and now have CRPS throughout my body! I was not told of any complications, only that it would be up to a year before I could turn a key in the door. I am pleased your op went well, however if you use your hands in your job think you will be off a while yet. I now have arthiritis in my hips, knees, kneck and other hands as well but they wont operate (a. say I am too young despite having bony nodules on hips and b. too risky for complications).

This is a complication of any ortho surgery and should be considered, you should be very cautious of surgery unless you really cannot tolerate pain any more.

Does anyone know the minimum age for hip replacements?