Any help appreciated regarding trapeziectomy

kinni42

Hi,
I’m new on here and wondered if anyone can help. I had a trapeziectomy over 5 weeks ago on my right hand, and after reading threads and NHS sites I’m really confused. I was in a hard cast for 3 weeks before I saw the dr again, at that point it was a different consultant to the one who did the surgery he proceeded to put me in to another hard cast for 4 weeks, with a review in 2 weeks. I went last week for the 2 week review and this time it was my consultant who I saw. He was furious as he doesn’t put the cast on after 2 weeks. My hand is very swollen and I can’t really move any fingers or my thumb. He told me to try and start moving it and to see him I’m 6 weeks.
My issue is I haven’t even seen physio yet (20/8 for 1st app), and I don’t have any kind of splint on, I’m also back at work. Have any of you had this happen? I’m 42 and on my own so I need to use the hand now, pain or not.
Thanks
Lynn

kinni42

webmanager wrote:

Hi Lynn
welcome to the community it is lovely to have you here. It sounds like you have had a rough time with your trapeziectomy and it must be even more difficult when your health care professionals work differently. Here is a copy of our fact sheet as a guide https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/do-i-have-arthritis/publications/1636-trapeziectomy
Of course surgeons do vary in their treatment plans. Physiotherapy seems to be started after about 6 weeks but this will vary. It might be best to phone your surgeon to ask for guidance. I realise your situation is more complex because you are on your own and you are now back at work. Again it would be best to ask your surgeon about how best to manage this difficult situation.
You may find this thread useful https://arthritiscareforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=49428&hilit=trapeziectomy
I am sorry if this is a little vague but it is quite different depending on who carries out the surgery.

The good news is that this is a popular topic and we do have members here who will be able to support and advise you further. Also if you want someone to talk to you can phone our free confidential helpline on 0808 800 4050
Please let us know how you get on, we are here to support you and listen to you
Best Wishes
Sharon

Sharon, thank you for the welcome and reply it’s very much appreciated. I spoke to the consultant and he wants me to see a specific physio who is off on holiday till 20th which is why it’s delayed. He also said I don’t need a soft cast either which is a relief. I see my GP on Thursday so I’ll get him to check the hand, but like a lot of people here have said it takes time to heal and get the movement back. I just need to be patient. 😁

stickywicket

Hello Kinnie42 and welcome from me tóo. As I wrote to someone else on the 'Say Hello' forum this morning, trapeziectomies seem to cause more bother than any other orthopaedic ops.

I think you've been eminently sensible in contacting your surgeon who has also done the sensible thing in getting you a specialist physio. I expect the wait will be a little easier now that you can feel it's all under control.

As for work - there's a difference between moving the joint and putting it under pressure. I suggest you try, as far as possible, to do the former but not to do the latter :roll: Difficult, I'm sure.

As Sharon says, we have had loads of people on here with post-trapeziectomy problems. Unfortunately, they tend not to stick around once healed. I think that is both bad news and good news for you

dreamdaisy

Hello, you're not the first to post with trapeziecomy troubles and I am sure won't be be the last. Surgeons are individuals and as such have individual opinions on what should be done, when and how. We, as mere patients, have to try to make sense of the conflicting advice and it isn't easy. From the surgeon's point of view once he has done his magic we are sorted, from the patient's point of view that is when the work begins. The others who have posted rarely come back because they are mended (an option denied to many on here )

Healing takes longer than any one expects, likes or wants. Things might seem OK on the surface but inside is a different story, that can take weeks. I have not had your operation but I did have a double carpal tunnel and that took longer than I was told to really heal- it didn't bother me as I am the veteran of many an op but if you are not used to surgery and its aftermath the frustration and confusion can build. The key is being a patient patient, something everyone struggles with from time to time. I wish you well. DD

Megrose2

Sorry to hear that you're having such a confusing time, Lynn. You've definitely done the right thing in going back to your surgeon and it's good that you'll have the help of a specialist physio. I had a similar situation in that the consultant I initially saw didn't put plaster casts on - just bulky soft dressings - but the surgeon who did the op did! The initial consultant was away on holiday. So, I had a plaster cast on for two weeks, but when I went back, although the surgeon had said I needed a new cast on, I didn't want one, and they decided not to do it anyway. So, luckily, I began physio after two weeks and just had a plastic splint on my hand. So, as you've found, consultants within the same hospital all have their different procedures. I would agree with Sticky that trying to keep your fingers gently moving is a good thing.

I'm sure the specialist physio will be able to help you and it's a shame that you're having to wait for that. On the bright side, I had my trapeziectomy in 2016 and, although I have lost some strength in my thumb, I am completely pain free, which is wonderful. I'm in the process of planning on having a trapeziectomy on my right hand and am hoping for a similar result.

Take care and I do hope that things improve for you.

Meg

kinni42

Thank you so much everyone for getting in contact. It’s nice to speak to others in the same position. I’m definitely hoping for a good outcome as my job depends on it which is part of the reason I went for the procedure. I’ll keep you up to date with my experience and I’m more than happy to stay on the forum as it’s always good to be able talk things through with others in similar positions makes us all feel less alone.
Lynn

kinni42

Well I’ve had my first physio appointment and it’s good and bad news. The strength in my thumb is good and he’s really happy about it, but my thumb and wrist are really tight and it’s not where it should be. I can’t even touch my fingers with my thumb so it major physio especially using warm and cold water to guide and manipulate my thumb and wrist and lots of massage. I see him again on Friday fingers crossed I can she some good improvement
Lynn

Megrose2

It's great that the strength in your thumb is good, Lynn. I've never regained the full strength in mine, but no pain is a good swap as far as I'm concerned. I can fasten/unfasten buttons and knit and crochet with it, so all is well.

Not so good that you've got a lot of work to do to get your thumb moving again. I hope you let the consultant know that you're unhappy about this, as it may prevent someone else going through the same thing. As well as my physio, I did a lot of massaging of the scar and found that Bio-oil was very good for this, so I'm sure it would be good for general massage. I hope that things slowly improve for you. Take care.