New Member

Jojo871

Hi there 👋, my name is Jo and I've joined today. I'm 4 weeks post trapeziectomy surgery for 1st CMC joint osteoarthritis. I've had my plaster cast removed today 😳 and I'm feeling quite vulnerable with my thumb and wrist being exposed, both of which are incredibly stiff. I've been given a splint to wear and I'm waiting for my hand therapy to start. I'll see the orthopaedic doctor again in 4 weeks time. In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone, who has had the same surgery, had any advice/guidance. Does anybody know how soon the physio will start? I assumed it would all be arranged and ready to go once the cast came off but the doctor said, in my appointment today, that he would refer me. Any recommended 'do's or don'ts' would be appreciated? Thanks for reading 👍

chrisb

Hi @Jojo871,

Welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

I've searched the forum for any relevant advice that maybe useful in your post trapeziectomy state with a view to signposting you towards it but couldn't find anything current/relevant. This doesn't mean however that there won't be forum members who will be able to provide some useful advice.

I do hope you receive some useful feedback and wish you a speedy recovery.

Best wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

Poppyjane

Hi @Jojo871

I include a link to exercises for hands and wrists and thought you might like to look at them whilst you are waiting for your physio appointment. A member of my family recently injured their hand and has been advised lots of massage and has some exercise putty both of which are helping.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-fingers-hands-and-wrists/

I hope this helps.

Take care

Poppyjane

Baloo

@Jojo871 no, but do take the opportunity to journal your recovery over here, which is a feature that allows all of us to be motivated to go way beyond just plain old advice. It looks like a really cool operation to have a bone replaced, how are you feeling about it. The dearth of advice seems to be a bit rough.

Ellen

Hi @Jojo871

This might have something useful for you, other people's stories:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=trapeziectomy&scope=site&source=community

Of course some posts will be a while ago, but still might interest you.

Best wishes

Ellen.

Jojo871

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/727410#Comment_727410

Thank you Poppy Jane ☺️ I managed to briefly see a hand therapist 2 weeks ago who set out some exercises for me to do before I next see her on 5th November. It's really hard work and I don't feel I've made a lot of progress but will see what she says next week. Thanks again for the link to the exercises x

Jojo871

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/727412#Comment_727412

Hi Baloo, thanks for the advice. The operation was to remove a bone not replace. They did discuss the possibility of bone replacement versus trapeziectomy but opted for the latter due to my age and working years left. I agree that the lack of advice isn't helpful but hopefully now I have been given some exercises, things will improve 🤞