Hand Waiting for #2 Trapeziectomy

[Lynne54]

I had right trapeziectomy, carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery last year, and am now awaiting a date to have my left hand operated on. I didn't find it easy after the first operation, and I have been tempted to cancel the forthcoming one, but I guess arthritic thumb joints only get worse as we age. I had THR in March this year, so it seems as if it is one surgery after another........

Is there anyone else due trapeziectomy in the next few months? It would be nice to make contact if there are.

 

[CT25]

I had right trapeziectomy, carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery last year, and am now awaiting a date to have my left hand operated on. I didn't find it easy after the first operation, and I have been tempted to cancel the forthcoming one, but I guess arthritic thumb joints only get worse as we age. I had THR in March this year, so it seems as if it is one surgery after another........

Is there anyone else due trapeziectomy in the next few months? It would be nice to make contact if there are.

Hello Lynne 54
I am waiting to have my left CMC joint replaced with an implant my surgeon said it was the best option for me as I had reasonable good bone stock left for the replacement. I also have had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and trigger finger surgery on my right. I have a pre operative assessment on the 7th of November with a view to the surgery being done in January 2023. How did your previous trapeziectomy go? Was it a long recovery?

 

[Lynne54]

Hello CT25,
Thank you for your message. I was off work for 12 weeks following surgery, but I do have an office job with a fair amount of computer work, and I knew I would not be able to cope with the job any earlier. I had my right hand operated on, and as it is my dominant hand, it made things difficult. I found the plaster cast annoying, but it was removed after two weeks, and then my hand!wrist was put in splints. The swelling took a long time to go down, and my fingers especially were very swollen. I live in my own which made things difficult. It's amazing how much we need both hands. However,I am glad that I had the surgery as my right thumb is fully mobile now. I could hardly move it before. The scars are very neat and hardly noticeable. .

 

[Jaycey]

@Lynne54 thanks for sharing your journey! Valuable information for our members who are considering this surgery.

 

[CT25]

Hello CT25,
Thank you for your message. I was off work for 12 weeks following surgery, but I do have an office job with a fair amount of computer work, and I knew I would not be able to cope with the job any earlier. I had my right hand operated on, and as it is my dominant hand, it made things difficult. I found the plaster cast annoying, but it was removed after two weeks, and then my hand!wrist was put in splints. The swelling took a long time to go down, and my fingers especially were very swollen. I live in my own which made things difficult. It's amazing how much we need both hands. However,I am glad that I had the surgery as my right thumb is fully mobile now. I could hardly move it before. The scars are very neat and hardly noticeable. .

@Lynne54 That’s great to hear that you had a good outcome from the trapezium surgery and you have good use of your thumb. My surgeon told me removal of the trapezium is the first line of surgery but if there is sufficient good general bone a replacement such as done in hips and knees is possible. I am nervous about the surgery as I have quite a lot coming up surgery wise my hand have cone first and then when all this surgery is done I am having both knees replaced (not at the same time). When are you booked to have your surgery? It would be good to compare notes and share recovery.

 

[Lynne54]

I need to sort out a date and will let you know. I had right total hip replacement in March this year. Fortunately at this stage I only have surgery to my left hand outstanding. This procedure will be the same as that undertaken on my right hand. A tendon is taken out of my forearm, and when the trapezium bone is removed, the strip of tendon is used to make a sling which links between the base of my thumb and wrist. It does leave the base of the thumb with an indent, however this fills up with scar tissue. A splint is usually worn after the plaster comes off, and then it's gradual physio.

The surgery I had done under regional anaesthetic and took longer than my hip. I was awake throughout the procedure, but occasionally dozed off, probably due to the drugs. My arm felt like a dead weight for around 10-12 hrs and I had to keep it in a sling for a few days. Sleeping was difficult for a while.

We can share information and updates etc, that would be great. I am glad I found this site. It has a wealth of useful information.
Best wishes to you.

 

[CT25]

@Lynne54 I think I will get my surgery date when I go for my pre op assessment in November but I believe it will probably be in January. As far as I know the surgery will be performed as a day case. I was thinking about having the regional block and not a general I was awake for my both my carpal tunnel surgeries and trigger finger. What was the noise like during the surgery as some of the instruments used I believe maybe noisy as they need to cut and shape the trapezium to fit the implant. My consultant explained the surgery you had to me and said it is a very tried and tested method the implant replacement being a more modern approach if it’s suitable for the patient.
Was it very painful after the surgery? I live in the UK and waiting lists are long due to covid and other circumstances. My husband hopefully will be able to take a few days off when I have the surgery as I rely on crutches to move about and get up from furniture etc and I won’t be able to press down with the operated hand.

 

[Lynne54]

I think you may find that pre-op assessments are only valid for a certain length of time, so your op may well be earlier than January. The regional block was okay but yes, I did hear some noises, such as the drilling, but it was very quiet. I drifted off occasionally though. I did have a fair bit of pain after the numbness wore off, but they will provide you with medication of some kind. If you keep it elevated for a couple of days that will help with the swelling, but its not that easy with a hand. You definitely will not be able to press down on that hand for a while, but as you are going to have an implant, it may be a quicker recovery. They usually advise not to drive for the first six weeks, but I attempted it before then and was relatively okay on short trips and not at peak times. I may not be able to on the next occasion as I do not have an automatic car, and will not be able to change gear that easily... I hope there will be a reasonable amount of time between having your hand surgery and a knee replacement as I presume you use two crutches? I work for the NHS in my local hospital and here they are cancelling surgery due to insufficient staff numbers and blood shortages. The blood shortages are due to not enough staff being available to take the blood......and so it continues.

 

[CT25]

@Lynne54 Thank you very much for all the very useful information it’s good to know what the recovery may look like. It sounds like being awake during the surgery is not to bad and you can have sedation to varying extents so that would I think help. It states on my hospital letter that if I do not have a date already the pre op assessment will remain valid until the surgery so perhaps that will be the case. In spite of covid and all the other factors the NHS has to deal with I have been seen and offered treatment in a very good time span. I saw my consultant in February this year and had my trigger finger surgery two weeks later which was great. I hope you have a date soon. I will update as and when I have more information. Thank you again for chatting it’s been really nice to hear from someone who has already had this surgery and indeed is waiting for the next one!! Best wishes and have a good weekend.

 

[Lynne54]

My surgery is booked for 29th November at Queen Victoria Hospital. I have asked to see the surgeon beforehand which should be okay as he has clinics at the hospital where I work. I am concerned about my BP as it dropped drastically for a few days after THR, and also when I had right trapeziectomy. The hospital will keep me in overnight this time which is good.

 

[CT25]

@Lynne54 Oh that’s really good you now have a date you know what to work towards now. I have normal blood pressure I am just always nauseous after general so the block is starting to look like the way to go. Are you going to have the block again for this surgery? You will have had your surgery before me so it will be great to hear how it all goes for you and any recovery tips would be great to hear. I am hoping I will get my date when I go for the pre op assessment then at least I will know when it’s all happening!! Best wishes.

 

[Lynne54]

Yes I will definitely have the nerve block again. It does take time to administer.the injections in various areas under the arm. I couldn't see what was going on during surgery, but didn't attempt to look either. As you have someone at home that's great. I am on my own so I will prepare meals in advance and freeze them etc. My hand was in a cast for about eight days, but your surgery being undertaken using a different approach, so you may be fortunate and avoid the plaster.

I had soluable stitches but had to keep my hand dry. That can be difficult when showering etc., so I got a plastic sleeve to cover my hand and arm up to my elbow.. Getting dressed was difficult one handed. Socks were impossible...It is all trial and error but I am so glad you will have help at home. Best wishes,.

 

[CT25]

@Lynne54 Good morning. It must be quite challenging coping on your own it’s then that you realise just how much we rely on our hands for all our day to day needs washing, dressing etc. I have purchased a limbo waterproof sleeve to use after surgery to have a shower as I have been told I will also be in a plaster cast afterwards. My husband isn’t a whizz in the kitchen so I will also be freezing meals which will take the guess work out for him (laugh out loud). Before I had all the problems with my knees, hands I used to work at the hospital as a ward clerk dealing with the day to day running of the ward which I enjoyed very much. My husbands work during covid really dried up as he works in construction and is self employed so no work no money so we have had to try and save to compensate for the time he takes off when I have the surgery. If it was not for my knees and being able to get up on my own etc I would of been able to cope on my own such as you will be doing to enable him to carry on working. It’s one thing to listen to the surgeon telling you about the surgery but so very helpful to chat to someone who has actually had it done as you get the useful tips that help make the whole process easier. Please let me know how things go on the run up to your surgery and I will post when I have had my pre op assessment. Take care and I will look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes.

 

[Grammy57]

My surgery is booked for 29th November at Queen Victoria Hospital. I have asked to see the surgeon beforehand which should be okay as he has clinics at the hospital where I work. I am concerned about my BP as it dropped drastically for a few days after THR, and also when I had right trapeziectomy. The hospital will keep me in overnight this time which is good.

I'm glad they are being cautious. I had both of my thumbs done. They were done with suspensionplasty and internal brace. The left hand was done first and I am just past the 2-year point and all is well. The right hand, dominant, was done and lasted about 6 months before it started hurting. At the year mark, I had revision surgery with the tightrope method. I am 7 months out and doing well.

 

[Lynne54]

My right thumb which I had done in March 2021 still plays up with the thumb joint quite swollen at times. At least I have far more movement with it than previously. My left hand is being operated on 29th November. If I could avoid it I would as it is not my dominant hand. It's not going to get better though. I am sure it is all that typing etc I have been doing over many years that has affected my joints. I will go back to wearing compression gloves as the weather turns colder. I understand synovial fluid thickens when it is cold, hence we get more pain in winter. Right THR is good but now getting twinges in the left one....

 

[CT25]

Hi @Lynne54 I had my pre op assessment today bloods done, ECG, height, weight etc. The nurse told me if an am looking to have the surgery by nerve block and not general I will have to talk about anaesthesia on the day they seem to be leaning towards general which they say is the default measure. I didn’t get a surgery date the nurse said I will be contacted soon with a date. How are you? Not long to go now for your surgery all being well.
Best Wishes

 

[Lynne54]

Hi,
I had my ore-op yesterday, checking on the same things as you had. My op will be done using nerve block, and fall back to general anaesthetic if needed, but that is unlikely. I prefer the nerve block. They normally give you some kind of sedative too. I fell asleep during the op on my right hand. I expect you may get a date very soon as the assessment has taken place, maybe before Christmas. As a suggestion, take a big baggy top to wear afterwards that will fit over your hand/arm. I am staying in for one night this time. I will let you know how it goes. Strangely enough my hand doesn't hurt at all now, but I can guarantee that. If I decided not to have the surgery, I will pay for it later
Let me know when you get a date.
Best wishes to you too.

 

[CT25]

Good morning @Lynne54
Do you know how long the surgery took last time? I would prefer the nerve block and I thought the team would be happy for me to have it but there was no mention of a nerve block until I mentioned it. That’s good you have also had your pre op you are already to go now on the 29th. Is there any special reason you will be staying overnight this time if you do not mind me asking. It’s always the way when surgery is scheduled the pain seems to not be there as bad which is the same for me at the moment which makes me second guess having the surgery but I do know that it will only get worse.

 

[Lynne54]

Good morning,
From what I remember the surgery was not that long but my procedure was different from what you are having done in that a ligament will be taken from my forearm and will be used as a "sling" when the trapezius bone is remov

 

[Lynne54]

Good morning,
From what I remember the surgery was not that long but my procedure was different from what you are having done in that a ligament will be taken from my forearm and will be used as a "sling" when the trapezius bone is remov

Is removed to fill in the void, and it assists with regeneration. The prep time in numbing the arm took a while as I recall. If for instance that numbing didn't take total affect, then they may use a general anaesthetic to fall back on. It's unlikely to happen though.

Last time I had issues when I got home in thathat