Trapeziectomy

poormary

Hi all. I’m in discussion with specialist re having a trapeziectomy She says the operation is simple but the recovery takes time and can be difficult etc. I’ve got info leaflets etc but has anyone had the operation? I’d love to know your experience. Was it tough and was it worth it?

Thanks

PJoanne

Hello @poormary

I did a search for the subject 'trapeziectomy' and these are the results:

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

When you click on the link it will take you to a list of previous conversations about trapeziectomy, hope that helps. (there are a lot!)

All the best Joanne

Megrose489

Hi poormary. I've had trapeziectomies on both thumbs, about 18 months apart and approximately 10 years ago. You will probably see my name in the conversations on the site. Both were done under nerve block, so no general anaesthetic. I feel that the main thing was to make sure to do the physiotherapy exercises afterwards. My recovery was quite smooth and it was definitely worth it. I was in a lot of pain and was finding even simple things difficult to do - peeling potatoes for example. Now, no pain at all in my thumbs. Feel free to ask any questions and I would be pleased to help if I can.

Moira

Hi, I had my trapezectomy at the beginning of Feb. It is worth it but like all skeletal surgery it is not pain free. Usually it is done under a block, as above, but I had mine under general as there were some other complications because of extremely long-term, bad arthritis. No problems with the op at all.

I was told 3 months recovery, attending the hand clinic appointments once a month, follwing the daily regime of physio at home, and using your spica when necessary but gradually doing without it as strength returns. It can take a while - the worse thing I found was putting in my bra!!!! Husbands have their uses after all. Now, thank goodness, I can do it.

Yes, it is painfull, at the beginning, but not worse than the pain I was already suffering. It is certainly worth it.

Do go ahead if your arthritic hand is causing problems and is painful. My neighbour across the road had her both hands done some time ago and thinks it has been the best thing "since sliced bread" I agree with Megrose too. Bad arthritic hands are horrible. I had to give up all my slate-frame gold needlework, guitar, uke and piano. Now ……………… hopefully I will be back to it all. Yipee.

Good luck.

poormary

Thanks for the advice. I’m on a waiting list so it will be a while!