... pbc, hi, Today I carried a 7.1/2 kilo box with both my hands. I carried the box for 5 minutes, with ease. I also carried my grandchild who weighs 8 kilos. I have full use of both my hands. I feel that my hands are much stronger than they were before both surgeries. I have not been forced to give up any activity with my hands. I am able to do anything & everything with my... (91 replies)

... Dear Ginger, I do remember how poorly you were, how hard a recovery you had. You got through all that pain & you came out shining, like a bright star! You have written an excellent post, above. You have given all the valuable information others need. Bravo to you Ginger. The most important tip I can give everyone here who will have this surgery & who has had this... (91 replies)

... weights and other strength building and cardio exercises. I can lift and carry my 5 grandchildren and that's the best part of all. While recovering, I thought surgery was the dumbest thing I ever did....So, I'm telling you all it will get better, lots better! ... (91 replies)

... I think you've shared you had LRTI surgery on both of your hands, the first two years ago this month May 2013, yes? ... (91 replies)

... to portion shots, 8 month apart. The first may have been beginners luck, seemed to relieve for less than three months. The next was three weeks before my "real" surgery and it was barbaric to myself to put myself through into an inflamed, arthritac joint. I cried from pain on top of pain. ... (91 replies)

... My surgeon is a lot like yours in that he doesn't give me much information. If I want it I have to ask him, and be very specific about what I want to know. If I do, he'll tell me good information. But I have to be proactive to get it out of him, he won't just tell me things on his own. My surgeon is not very sympathetic either, and sometimes I get the feeling he's... (91 replies)

... Hi pcb, The swollen like bump on your top part of your hand near your wrist is dead tissue. It is very sensitive & does cause pain. The best you can do is to cream it & massage it very gently pressing it up & down & from side to side. It will take time to go. Continue with your hand work-outs & good luck with your physio. Haydena. (91 replies)

... Hi greengal, I am so happy for you that cast is off, pin is out. I had fifth occupational therapy yesterday. Therapist moved thumb by pressing it down and it was painful. She tested swelling putting hand in water and displacing that water. I tillage swelling, down from last tiime. I am not too sure if my thumb was unnecessarily put through or it is part of moving forward... (91 replies)

... You should definitely find someone else as a surgeon. There is a point at which your thumb will be so damaged that surgery will stop the pain but your hand will have a thumb moved way toward the palm and the second joint mucked up and that can't be fixed. ... (91 replies)

... Yay for you Greengal, great news. Until you are fitted with the orthoplast splint dont try to move your thumb inwards to your palm. Dont try to hold a pen or anything else. In fact dont use your hand. I have never heard of a post op patient not having a splint, guard or support put onto the thumb & hand after the stitches & or Kwire had been removed. Your thumb is still very... (91 replies)

... Well, 2nd post op appointment was today. Cast is now off and the kwire came out. Removing the kwire wasn't that horrible, he just wiggled it and then tugged it out. I felt some pressure and a sting but it was over with fast. The worst part was it started gushing blood and I had to sit in the office putting pressure on it for a good 20 minutes until it stopped. But the pain... (91 replies)

... re than three steroid injections a year. If your first only lasted a month and you just had the second...well you do the math. Like everyoe here I am dreading my surgery and the recovery next month, but my pain is is increasingly worsening along with limits to function. ... (91 replies)

... ? Greengal,I have a somewhat different perspectve on pain meds. Your physicians prescribes them to manage your pain. They are not addictive taken for a week AS DIRECTED and for true pain. (They tend to be more addictive to those taking them for recreational purposes or who have prior substance abuse issues). Doctors are generally very careful today about not overprescribing... (91 replies)

... e. I'm 36, obviously a long way from retiring and my surgeon didn't hesitate when he recommended the surgery. I remember thinking I was way to young for getting joint reconstruction surgery. But arthritis can strike at any age. ... (91 replies)

... this was 2 in less than 6 months. He said he does not recommend surgery even though it would end all my pain. ... (91 replies)

... Sorry you are feeling so down pbc. No need to feel like you do. No need to sit at the back of the church so no one will notice your hand. So you cant shake hands with others! you can give them you left hand to shake with a smile on your face & I promise you they will understand that your right hand is recovering. ( I shook hands with my left hand, no one was offended by that)... (91 replies)

... If you go through the many informative posts about the surgery here on this forum, you will get yourself a load of worthwhile information from the many people who have contributed here. ... (91 replies)

... My surgery was April 5, gaseous the 9th? ... (47 replies)

... No surgery date. Just had my second cortisone shot in my right thumb. The first shot was in January and it lasted about a month and a half. ... (91 replies)

... Hi Maggie have you a surgery date? ... (91 replies)