Trapeziectomy

nrae

good evening, I’m 5 weeks after my surgery also had tendon reconstruction, I have very little movement on my wrist.

One week after surgery I fell and overstretched my arm and heard a pop.
I got my cast off 4 days ago and go back in on 3 days for an ultrasound to see how the tendon is looking.

Wondering if these symptoms are normal after this procedure?

helpline_team

Hi @nrae, thanks for posting. We would advise you to contact your healthcare team at the hospital about your concerns, as we are not medically trained, and they will understand your individual circumstances and what would be normal for you. I have provided information on common types of hand & wrist surgery which includes a trapeziectomy factsheet, with details of what to expect after surgery. Hope it helps.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hand-and-wrist-surgery/#hand-and-wrist-surgery_common-types-of-hand-surgery

Thanks, Natalie, Helpline Advisor.

Trish9556

Hi @nrae

Having had a trapeziectomy myself, but without the tendon reconstruction, in 2020 I sympathise with you. I hope the 'pop' doesn't prove to be anything too drastic.

Have you been given any hand exercises, seen a hand therapist since you had your cast off?

I had my cast off after 2 weeks and was referred straight to hand therapy for after care and exercises inbetween seeing my wonderful surgeon.

I understand a lot of places don't offer, or give any hand therapy these days - I don't know why.

I do have a set of my exercises from 2020 which are posted in here , if you search on trapeziectomy hand therapy under my name you'll find lots of hopefully helpful information plus those exercises.

It is important to do your exercise regularly - if you don't recovery will take longer and be harder.

Please drop me a message or tag me on here if you have any questions or need any help.

Trish xx

helpline_team

Hi @nrae and thankyou @Trish9556

You might find additional information of help to do with any forms of arthritis you may be affected by which might be :

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand and wrist

or do look up using our Conditions search:

Conditions | Types of arthritis, causes, treatments

and if you'd like some further help, come back to us or ring us on 0800 5200 520

All the best

Guy - Helpline Team

33neamh22

Hi

New to the group ...I have Bilateral base of thumb arthritis with left side grade 4 changes.. Which has been diagnosed several years ago I have exhausted all treatments such as steroids and pain relief and splints

Within work I had several access to work assessments leading to adapted software and hardware. however employer unable to fully implement

In Dec 2023 it was decided that I should have replacement operation to left thumb joint

I was initially booked for this in mar 2024 delayed to June 2024 and then rescheduled to July 2024

I have been off work since June 2024 due to both pain and depression

The operation in July did not happen nor did the rescheduled operations in August September and October … I have commenced a complaint with the health trust responsible

I have now been advised that a date has been provisionally agreed for Feb 2025

From June 24 I sought a private second opinion of the operation intended which I shared with my consultant

Given the delays my GP referred me to another trust only to be told when assessed that I was placing TV demands upon limited resources

I was also referred by my mental health service to the psychology pain management team within the physio services and was advised that given I was in treatment .i.e. awaiting surgery that this is not appropriate

I am now faced with the prospect that my statutory sick pay finishes at the end of Feb ....I have already gone from full pay to 110.00 per week

I therefore am not financially in a position to be off work from Feb for the surgery and proposed recovery time

I believe that returning to work is important for my mental health well being and financial security

I am therefore asking if anyone has experience of deferring and operation and importantly if so what was the advise given

Similarly I am proposing to raise the scenario with physiotherapy services and would welcome any shared experience

I have since stopping work also developed tennis and golfers elbow ....due to less use of thumbs

Finally my work involves much computer usage and hardware and software is designed to reduce keystrokes

Happy new year to all

Stephen

helpline_team

Hi @33neamh22 Stephen, thanks for your post. Happy New Year to you. Sorry to hear that you have been in so much pain and have had the additional stress of repeated postponements to your surgery. We would recommend speaking to your consultant about your situation, as the advice people may be given re: postponing, may vary across different locations and health trusts. I have included information on waiting for surgery, and the Access to Work scheme, which provides grants to help pay for things like assistive software. Hope it helps.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/work-and-arthritis/helping-you-work-well-with-arthritis/in-the-workplace/applying-for-reasonable-adjustments/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/while-youre-waiting/

Thanks, Natalie, Helpline Advisor.

helpline_team

Hi @33neamh22

If you would particularly like to hear from other people who have Osteoarthritis (OA) and talk about delays to surgery and impact on work, do try posting on some of the other forums such as Living with arthritis and Work and financial support.

And you'd be most welcome to ring us at the Helpline on 0800 5200 520 if you'd like to talk things over and have some support. When there's a lot going on it can be really helpful to mull it all over and we can give you plenty of time and calls are in confidence.

Work and Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand and wrist

You may find our exercise and healthy eating information a support - and we have lots of videos showing people with arthritis exercising on our YouTube.

I hope that's helpful

Guy - Helpline Team