Question 1

how long is the recovery period for thumb joint arthroplasty?

Accepted Answer

ABOUT 8 WEEKS: Requires active and passive assistive exercise  at home 4 times a day and physiotherapy 3 days a week.

Question 2

debating to have arthroplasty done on thumb. dr. says may loose mobility of thumb. need advice to do or not to do.

Accepted Answer

Seek a second opinio: Basilar joint arthroplasties work well in post patients. You get good pain relief and maintain most of your range of motion as long as you move early. If you are unhappy with what your doctor has told you seek the advice of a hand surgeon.

Question 3

are screws used when an "anchovy" is used in cmc arthroplasty? dr said he'd use 2 screws and suspension. would that be 
tightrope" or tendon suspension between thumb and pointer finger?

Accepted Answer

Surgeon dependent : A cmc arthroplasty can be done with a variety of techniques depending on the training &amp; preference of the surgeon.  In the classic “anchovy” or interposition arthroplasty no screws or hardware are used.  However, this technique has been modified many times over the years including the use of suture anchors or the tightrope technique with buttons.  Best to have a detailed conversation with your doc

Question 4

will a ganglion cyst resolve on it's own? painful lumb at base of thumb, 2nd joint down. hard to use hand and is causing off/on numbness. cmc arthroplasty 6 mths ago, with suspension?

Accepted Answer

: Looks like you have symptoms which would require a hand or orthopedic surgeons evaluation. I doubt if it will go away on its own

Question 5

which dr to contact, spine or hand surgeon? having sporadic spasms at the base of thumb, seized & couldn't move my thumb, it was drawn into my hand. have foraminal stenosis c5 and had cmc arthroplasty and 3 level acdf. what causes it?

Accepted Answer

: If you're not experiencing hand or thumb symptoms in between episodes of spasms, you could  start with an evaluation by a neurologist or neurosurgeon in view of your neck surgery.  However since you had a thumb arthroplasty the hand surgeon can also be consulted to  reassure you that the surgical site is not a problem.

Question 6

on 12/14/15 i had left thumb arthroplasty with tendon transfer, carpal tunnel release, and dequerains release. still have finger swelling and joint st?

Accepted Answer

Patience: It could very well be that it may just take more time.  You can get better from the arthroplasty up to 6-8 months.  So if you are slowly getting better, you will likely continue to improve.  If you are not getting better, or are even getting worse, you need to let your surgeon know.

Question 7

why pain and swelling after cmc arthroplasty? x ray shows no hardware problem and good space. lump at mcp and hard swelling near cmc but more in my hand. painful when i use my thumb. mcp arthritis. cmc for arthritis & pt done after. dr stumped?

Accepted Answer

: It's time to visit a rheumatologist.

Question 8

why pain and swelling after cmc arthroplasty? x ray shows no hardware problem and good space. lump at mcp and hard swelling near cmc but more in my hand. painful when i use my thumb. mcp arthritis noted from xray. dr doesn't know what to do next?

Accepted Answer

: You do not tell us why you had the CMC arthroplasty and how long was it done? I guess you had a traumatic injury to the hand such as fall. Have you gone through physical therapy after the surgery? Have you tried local steroid injection?

Question 9

i am 4 weeks out of cmc. thumb  arthoplasty. when i do gentle rom exercises i feel a strange band snapping sensation. no pain.. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: After cmc arthoplasty catching and snapping w/ motion of the digits is a normal phenomenon . If it becomes painful or more persistent contact your doctor.

Question 10

typically how long are u in cast after cmc athroplasty surgery for basal thumb arthitis? and what is recouperation like? thank you

Accepted Answer

Varies: It varies somewhat based upon surgical technique used and also surgeons preference.  But usually about 6 weeks in cast, full recovery about 12 weeks.  Thanks.

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Doctor answers about:

Thumb arthroplasty recovery

A member asked:

How long is the recovery period for thumb joint arthroplasty?

A member asked:

Debating to have arthroplasty done on thumb. dr. says may loose mobility of thumb. need advice to do or not to do.

A member asked:

Are screws used when an "anchovy" is used in cmc arthroplasty? dr said he'd use 2 screws and suspension. would that be tightrope" or tendon suspension between thumb and pointer finger?

A member asked:

Will a ganglion cyst resolve on it's own? painful lumb at base of thumb, 2nd joint down. hard to use hand and is causing off/on numbness. cmc arthroplasty 6 mths ago, with suspension?

A member asked:

Which dr to contact, spine or hand surgeon? having sporadic spasms at the base of thumb, seized & couldn't move my thumb, it was drawn into my hand. have foraminal stenosis c5 and had cmc arthroplasty and 3 level acdf. what causes it?

A member asked:

On 12/14/15 i had left thumb arthroplasty with tendon transfer, carpal tunnel release, and dequerains release. still have finger swelling and joint st?

A member asked:

Why pain and swelling after cmc arthroplasty? x ray shows no hardware problem and good space. lump at mcp and hard swelling near cmc but more in my hand. painful when i use my thumb. mcp arthritis. cmc for arthritis & pt done after. dr stumped?

A member asked:

Why pain and swelling after cmc arthroplasty? x ray shows no hardware problem and good space. lump at mcp and hard swelling near cmc but more in my hand. painful when i use my thumb. mcp arthritis noted from xray. dr doesn't know what to do next?

A member asked:

I am 4 weeks out of cmc. thumb arthoplasty. when i do gentle rom exercises i feel a strange band snapping sensation. no pain.. is this normal?

A member asked:

Typically how long are u in cast after cmc athroplasty surgery for basal thumb arthitis? and what is recouperation like? thank you

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