I am hoping that someone can give me some post-operative information on the end result of this kind of surgery. Tendon suspension sling arthroplasty for thumb trapeziometacarpal arthritis. I am considering this surgical option to relieve pain from arthritis in the basilar thumb joint of my right hand. But I am worried about the function of my thumb after the surgery. I play the piano and don't want to lose that ability because of the surgery. Right now I have pain in my thumb but can play without to much discomfort. If anyone has had this surgery that plays the piano and could give me some feedback as to how well their thumb functioned as far as playing the piano, I would be very grateful. I am not worried about everyday use of my hand and thumb but I am extremely afraid of what it will do to my ability to play. Thank you very much for any information you can give me. Barb
I had the exact procedure on my left thumb in June, 2004. My left arm was casted to my elbow with the left thumb isolated and casted also for 5 weeks. If I compare it to the basal thumb arthritis surgery that was done on my right hand 2 years prior and done the "anchovy method", I must say the "anchovy method" was much more successful as far as a much faster recovery and less painfull. Of course you are casted the same exact way.
I could not buttom a shirt, lift a coffee cup, or turn the key of my car ignition prior to surgery. My hand and thumbs were very painfull with out even using them. We don't realize how much our thumbs are used in every day acitivities.
I certainly think you would be able to play the piano after surgery. It would probably be good physical therapy...but I must also caution you that it will probably take a minimum of 3 months to begin to experience a full recovery.
Hi Michele, Thanks so much for replying to my question on this surgery. I am scheduled to have surgery on my right thumb Nov. 14th, but I am waffleing back and forth about: Is my thumb bad enough to need this kind of invasive surgery now or should I wait? And if I wait will the surgery not have as good an outcome if there is more damage done from the arthritis? I have shooting, burning pain from the bottom of the basilar thumb joint up the side of my thumb at all times of the day without even moving the thumb, it just shoots up the side of my thumb hit and miss throughout the day. Then at other times it doesn't bother me much at all except a dull ache in the joint and pain if I knock the thumb on something. But I tend to baby this hand and thumb because it is very painful when I do most everyday things. I am very careful not to lift anything heavy, or hit the thumb in any way. That really hurts. : ( It just really scares me the risk to my piano (I just bought a new baby grand after waiting 26 years to get it). And I can play without much pain at all. Could you tell me if your thumb feels differently now as far as movement , range of motion, strength of grip, and what your were symptoms before your surgery? Was there any numbness in your fingers or thumb after the surgery. And did taking the tendon from your forearm affect your hand movement or strength or your arm movement or strength in any way? And exactly what is the "anchovie method"? : ) I am so grateful to have your input, I can't tell you. Also, do you know if this type of repair is a lifelong fix or could there be problems later on? I do intend to talk to my Dr. again before the surgery and hope to get answers to alot of these questions, you know how it is when the Dr. says surgery and your mind goes blank and you can't think what to ask. LOL It means so much to me to have answers from someone who has actually had the surgery and knows the outcome. Thanks so very much!!!! Barb
Hi Barb. Glad to be of help to you. I am sure your doctor took xrays, right?? The bone at the base of my thumbs had totally disintegrated. I did have, the same as you, shooting pains that went from the bottom of thumb up to my arm. The first surgery I had was on my right prominent hand and the anchovy method. They take a tendon graft from your forearm and roll it (therefore, anchovy) to replace the bone that is removed from the base of your thumb. The surgery you are scheduled for was done on my left hand. I had moved away from my first doctor and I asked the doctor here if he did the "anchovy" method and he preferred suspension plasty. As far as I was concerned, it was time for surgery. Doing it later was not an option...the loss of the use of my hands because of pain I experienced with every day life was definitely interferring with my every day life.
I have as much range of motion, strength and grip as I once had before arthritis set in. There is no affect as far as arm or hand movement from the tendon graft . The thumb was definitely a bit numb over the surgery site for several months but that is expected.
I would only suggest that you see a "hand surgeon" rather than a general orthopedic surgeon. ...I definitely think this type of surgery needs a specialist.
I am back to playing golf...couldn't even think of gripping a club let alone swinging it before my hand surgeries.
I don't think the surgery will have any affect on you enjoying your piano playing... you just have to be patient for the healing process...or play one-handed!!
Keep in touch and let me know what you decide. If you have any more questions, I would again be happy to answer them if I can.
Stay well!!
Hi Michele,
You have eased my mind alot about the outcome of this type of surgery. I am seeing a hand specialist my regular Dr. recommended. He looked at the xrays my regular Dr. had taken of my hand and that is what he based his recommendation for surgery on. He said the bone at the base of my thumb was rubbing bone on bone and irritating a nerve in that area and that was what was causing the shooting pain I was having at the base of my right thumb. He said that he sees this deterioration from arthritis in patients in their 50's and 60's and that was another reason he was concerned about the condition of my basilar thumb joint. I am 48 years old. So it is very disconcerting to have to think about the repair of one of my hands through surgery. And taking out a bone really sounds serious. One minute I'm thinking I need to put this off as long as possible, then I get the shooting pain up my hand and into my thumb and I think I really need to get this taken care of. LOL Oh boy!!!! What a decision!!! LOL I can still pick up a glass, and I can still turn a key, but I babysit full-time for my little 3 year old grand-daughter and soon my new grandson and this hand really bothers me in handling the kids. Lifting, playing with, carrying, protecting my thumb from kicking little hard soled feet, ect. So I'm feeling like I need to get it taken care of while my daughter is on maternity leave and I have the time to deal with being in a cast on my right hand (and I am right handed). : ( I dread dealing with that if I have this done. How on earth did you cope? LOL I'm so glad that your surgery worked so well for you, that gives me hope that maybe I won't have to live with this pain forever. : ) Thank you for your good wishes and support. God Bless, Barb
hi Barb...
Just wondering if you went through with your thunb surgery...drop me a note when you can...I know it will be one-handed. Hoping you are doing well.
Hi Michele,
Well, I have to tell you that I decided to wait. As much as my thumb bothers me at times it doesn't bother me to play my piano and until it starts affecting that I won't have the surgery. I just didn't want to risk it until I have too. So I am still two handed. : ) But someday, will probably be forced to do it. Last week, my thumb didn't bother me much at all. This week, it is hurting constantly. LOL But I can live with it. : ) How are your hands doing? Are your thumbs recovering well and moving normally? I hope so. Your recovery gives me hope of normal movement after surgery. : ) I truly appreciate your messages, they've taken some of the fear out of me. And when the time comes, the information you've given me will help me to have the hope and the courage to go on and have the surgery. I can't thank you enough, and wish you the very best. Barb
Barb
I am a church organist and had the surgery done in mid-October. I have just been told I can gradually return to the keyboard, so I can't give you specifics yet. Because organ is electronic rather than percussive (like piano), I expect that it will be easier to return to than piano. I've played piano less and less over the years as my arthritis has progressed because of lack of strength and flexibility. Organ has been easier, though I still note lack of agility and dexterity on the keyboard.
I decided to have the surgery now (at age 56) because I knew that the condition would worsen and that my ability to heal would not get better with age. (Also, I'm not sure Medicare would be excited abt. paying for it.) I will have to have the surgery in my right hand at some future date, and expect to have joint replacement in my ring and pinkie fingers in a few years. My hand surgeon says to put that off for later years because the material used to replace joints doesn't hold up well with active wear and tear.
If you decide to have surgery later, I can tell you more about what I've experienced and learned during the recovery period. I've only been using the computer keyboard with the surgical hand for four days and I can already see significant improvement in function and comfort in that amount of time.
Hi Weazie,
Thank you so much for your reply to my request for information on this surgery. I know I will have to have the surgery in the future. I hope to be able to wait for a long while but don't know how long I will have. My thumb is so painful some days without even moving it that I am always considering going ahead with the surgery. I have hot shooting pain up the outside of my thumb constantly. Some days all day long and other days just hit and miss. Without even moving my thumb. My Dr. says that the bones are putting pressure on a nerve and that is what causes the hot burning pain that I have. If it weren't for that pain I wouldn't even consider it. My piano is the only thing stopping me from going ahead with it. Please let me know how you recover from the surgery and how much normal movement returns to your hand and thumb. I pray that all goes well and your recovery is quick and complete. God Bless and Good luck : )
I JUST HAD MY RIGHT THUMB OPERATED ON LAST MONDAY. I GO TO SEE MY DOCTOR THIS FRIDAY. DO YOU THINK SHE WILL REMOVE THIS HUGE PADDED CAST? WILL MY APPOINTMENT BE PAINFUL? IF I GET A SPLINT CAN IT COME OFF FOR SHOWERS, ETC? WILL I DAMAGE ANYTHING BY USING MY FINGERS LIKE CHOPSTICKS, THAT HURTS MY FOREARM BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A NATURAL THING TO TRY. I AM OPEN TO ANY HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.Hi all
I have it in both thumbs but I'm going for the right because it's the hand I use the most. I am scheduled for surgery on the 11th. After reading about the surgery and having the doctor tell me about it I was'nt sure if I wanted to do it. After reading your postings I think I'm going to be ok. Although I am really scared to think I will not be able to use my hand for so long. Weazie, I would like to hear more about your experience.
Hello:
I am so happy to have found you all. I am having suspension sling surgery on my right thumb next week due to painful degenerative osteoarthritis My question is regarding the casting: What areas will be casted? Will I be able to use my thumb at all? Will I be able to work as a nurse? How long will I wear the cast? How long will I need to wear a splint? Any other advice is welcome. Thank you!
Connie
Hey Connie
have surgery yet? i had the same problem. i cant tell you much. i just had my surgery on the 11th. my doc says i have to wear a cast 4 weeks. hopefully it will be smaller han this one. i'm typing w/1 hand. i was hoping for more info also. have appt today.
debbie k
Hello DebbieK and Connie W.Hi Katherine
DebbieK here. I couldnt remember my password so I had to register with this user name.
Anyway my surgery went very well. The first 2 days were very painful, but wasnt bad after that. I had a cast on for 5 weeks(off and put back on weekly) and then he took out the pins and I had another cast for 1 week. After that I had therapy, which really helped. I had 12 weeks of therapy and the therapist said I did better than most people do. She said it was probably my age. It will be 3 months Sunday and I'm moving my thumb almost the same. I have just started to turn keys and there are still things I have a hard time with but he told me it would take 6 months to recover completely. I am a secretary and type and write everyday. I'm very happy I had the surgery.
If you have any more questions let me know. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Let me know how it goes.
i just had the thumb resection w/ anchovy 2 days ago. I'm only 38 & had severe osteoarthritis. the pain right now is bad & the swelling is worse. looking forward to bring pain free! surgery was my only option. i'm glad to hear that others are doing well.I had the "anchovy" surgery 4/10, probably same day as dombroskij. Wonder how you're doing now. I'm back to typing 2-handed, until fingers get sore. What I've read has eased my fears about using fingers (good post-op site -- cedar valley hand surgery www.cedarhand.com/basal_postop.html ) I have cast on now, & was surprised to find the annoying incision tenderness is worse than ever. no other pain, but there's a spot on my thumb that's numb fromwhere a nerve was "stretched" (I hope not damaged). Feels good to move my arm & fingers around. Was given little info on what to expect, so this forum was good to find.I just found out that my only option to relieve the pain in my thumb is to have surgery. I am 24 years old and am questioning if this is neccessary right now. I would like to know what the scars look like after the healing process is complete. Any information would be helpful in making a decision whether or not to proceed with the procedure this summer. ThanksHi