Osteoarthritis of the thumb operation

[Gemini]

My OH has osteoarthritis of her right thumb. It is very painful and she is unable to do many simple tasks without difficulty and pain. As a very much hands-on DIY and garden person, this is no fun.
She was reffered to the hospital and has had 3 injections of 'filler' which stop the bones grinding together. The first two wore off after a few weeks, the third one didnt realiy make much difference.

Now she is to have the operation to remove the bone. A trapeziectomy. It is commonly done it seems. After several weeks of no driving or doing anything much, gradually thing should be better. They told her that with her present condition she will have 50% loss of mobility in that joint, after the op typically it is 20% loss.

She will wait unti October for the op. The golf competitions will have stopped by then.

Has anyone any experience of themselves, or anyone they know, having this operation ?

[Mimi]

No Gemini I can't be of any help but it sounds very painful, it's a shame she has so long for her op !

[Elisi]

Not me either Gem, but poor your OH, it sounds horribly unpleasant and debilitating. X

[Gemini]

Mimi, she chose to wait until October. She could probably have had it done in July. She is down for several golf tournaments over the summer and doesn't want to let her partners down (or miss the games I suspect ) So opted to wait until, the end of summer.

[Plantaholic]

Haven't heard of that myself, hope her summer golfing is successful.

[Daisy]

I can't help either, Gem, but I've a horrible feeling I'm getting osteoarthritis in both my thumbs. When I mentioned it to my GP about a year ago he dismissed it as 'wear and tear' and did I do a lot of knitting!!! Talk about typecasting people. But it's getting worse and I will have to go back at some point. I've been gardening this afternoon and it's very painful at the moment. But your OH's sounds much worse. I should think it's hard to decide if the trade off of 'no pain' to losing another 30% of the movement is worth it. Has she seen the specialist?

[Gemini]

Yes Daisy she has seen the specialist several times. The first treatment they offer is the injections, which fill the gaps left by the worn away cartilage. The next step, if needed is the operation.
I don't think I explained it well! She will actually, if all goes to plan, gain 30% of movement, having 50% now and ending up with 80%. I meant an overall loss of 20%

[Oma]

Similar to the problem I have Gemini . I received a letter today to say Surgeon has decided it wouldn't be advisable to operate on my fingers as too many joints are involved and I would be out of pain but with very little use of hand , well he told me that when I saw him so no point in sending me a letter . I have to go on Monday to see Physio again and then Rheumatologist in June said its a case of medication to control pain .
I do hope this op helps her Gemini you don't realise how much you need fingers and thumbs till you cant use them , I can understand why she wants to wait with all her Golf

[Nana]

OH has just got back after a few days golfing with his mates, so I can understand your OH's concerns. It's rotten when you have a condition that stops you doing what you enjoy without being in pain. We take so much for granted with our bodies until it goes wrong.
Daisy, my GP advised me to try to keep knitting (not just an 'old ladies' hobby) as it would keep my tendons/muscles supple etc. I have the condition where my little finger & the one next to it pulls in towards the palm of my hand. It will in time need operating on. Actually both hands will. On the bright side Bill Nightly (spelling?) has the same condition & its not stopped him enjoying his life.

[Daisy]

Gem - I was probably just being thick! But I'm glad my interpretation was wrong. Keeping 80% of movement is a much better deal and well worth the few weeks of frustration and inactivity. Marmar* is right - you don't realise how much you use your hands until they hurt! I'd assumed you should try to keep as much movement as you can on the principle of 'use it or lose it' but something like snapping my fingers just won'g work at the moment!!

[Pearl5]

Gemini, my mam has had exactly the same treatment for her thumb with the injections, she too has discussed the operation, and is hesitating, we have an Aunt who has had it done, hers doesn't hurt now but she cant use it, she thinks that is worse, it will be different for everyone I suppose but quite a hard decision....

[Nanto2girls]

Not had any experience of this Gemini, but it does sound very painful.I can understand and admire her, for not wanting to let her golfing partners down.

[Qwerty]

I havnt heard of it Gem I wish her well though we need our fingers and thumbs more than we think.

[ZIZI]

An old lady who used to work first for husband's father and then for us (had never worked for anyone else) has terrible problems with her hands and she had the same operation Gemini. We look after her when she needs us as she has no relations nearby. I took her to the hospital and collected her and popped in every day when I could. It was a bit painful and she used to phone me practically every half an hour the first couple of days which drove me bonkers but when she was finally recovered she was very pleased with the result.

[Gemini]

We are still waiting for a date for this op.
Having told them she didnt want it before October, which they were fine with, the hospital then sent OH a mid September appointment. Not only that, but for the wrong hospital. When she rang them the lady admitted she had made a mistake!
We would like to know when it is, so we can plan. She won't be able to drive for weeks, so we will be going nowhere beyond a motorway in that time, unless its by train!!