Finger/Thumb Considering joint replacement

Jana

new member
Joined
May 13, 2019
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1
Age
63
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United States United States
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Female
I have Osteoarithis, as well as something genetic going on in my hands. My finger joints are bending sideways in opposite directions at the top and middle joints. My father had this, by the time he passed away his affected fingers were bent sideways at 45% angles, making a Z shape. He died at age 67.) I'm 59 and mine are doing the same thing. I'm an artist and a social worker. My handwriting is horrible now. When I was younger it was beautiful. Doing anything with my hands is painful and mobility is really bad in several fingers. It's like my fingers are dislocated. I have just learned about finger joint replacement and I have an appointment with a doctor to discuss my options. One of my other doctors says he does not recommend it. He says the results are not good. I must admit reading here, he may be right. How does one go about checking out a certain doctor's statistical record and reviews?
 
@Jana,
Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!
To learn more about the surgeons you are interviewing, talk to the patients in the waiting room, you can also check their web sites, ask them directly, and visit the hospitals, or surgery centers where they practice and talk to the nurses.

You will notice I have moved your post to your own thread, where you will receive more replies to your questions and concerns.
If you would like a title change, just post it here and a moderator will change it for you.

Best of luck in your search,
 
One of my other doctors says he does not recommend it. He says the results are not good.
What kind of doctor is he? Obviously not a hand surgeon! I spent a major part of my career helping with finger joint replacements so he knows little or nothing about it. Only trust the opinion of a hand specialist.

Oh, an another thing - the sooner you get this don't the better the result will be. If you let the deformities get too bad, then surgery won't be as effective. But this chap let his get quite severe and yet his outcome seem pretty good!

before and after.JPG
 
There isn't really anywhere to go to see success numbers for hand surgeons. As Josephine mentioned, you do need to be sure you're seeing only hand specialists. It would be good to talk with at least 3 orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hands. Ask them how many of this type of procedure they do each year and what their success rate is. Then also ask what each feels the outcome of surgery will be in your case. If you talk with several doctors, you'll begin to get a feel for what the results of surgery can be.
 

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