LRTI Surgery for Basal Joint Arthritis

[nodamidis]

I had Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition (LRTI) surgery about a month ago to treat basal joint arthritis in my thumb.  I am still having pain in the basal joint area and was wondering if there is anyone here who has had the same surgery and can tell me whether that is normal during the long recovery period.  I have an appointment with my surgeon in a couple of weeks, but I would love to talk to someone else who has had the procedure.  I

[DrSpencer]

No. Basal JOINT arthritis is inflammation of the joint at the base of the digit. Basal CELL carcinoma is malignancy of the basal cells of the skin.

[WWfromBorneo]

I had LRTI surgery, trigger thumb release and index finger fusion on my left and non- dominant hand on Sept 29 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by a UK/US trained hand micro surgeon. On Feb 16 2016 I had an LRTI surgery and index finger fusion on my dominant right hand - so I am now 6 days post op. This surgeon has some very progressive ideas on physiotherapy and recovery regime- my left hand is now 4 and a half months post op and I have no pain, full range of movement, good strength and pinch.
On both occasions my physiotherapy started the day after surgery! I wear a hard shell removable 3/4 cast on my hand and a protective hard shell cast on my fused finger. I remove the hand cast myself to massage and ice my hand and arm twice a day. I have physiotherapy 3 times a week where the thumb is passively moved and the hand and arm ( where the tendon was taken) are massaged and given ultrasound. My stitches are at the 2 areas where the  tendon was removed and a small v where the trapezium bone was removed- they will be removed 2 weeks post op. The swelling has reduced significantly and this time I don't even have a numb section on the top of my thumb. The pain is only about 1 on a scale of 1-10 and I take a maximum of 2 Advil and 2 Tylenol tablets a day if needed and have been prescribed antibiotics for 10 days. This regime is so unlike what would happen in my home country where I would be in a fixed cast for 8-12 weeks. A very unique approach but one which for me has worked amazingly well- worth thinking about if you can find a hand microsurgeon willing to perform it.

[dooner3]

I'm 10 days out from surgery on my left thumb.  Had an arm block before the surgery  and sailed through.  1 day on vicodon ( I hate the stuff - makes me nauseous, but knocked me out and made me forget about the pain).  Next day 2 days took one Naproxen.  Getting the stitches out tomorrow and will be in a removable cast (have a half cast now).  My pain is not horrid and I certainly don't need meds for it, as long as I am in the splint and not moving it.  Area hurts to touch.  Tendons in my forearm have locked up a few times and that is painful, but I rubbed them out.  Some shooting pains near the joint area on occasion.    Looking forward to therapy and being done with the casts. It will be a long process, but I'm a trooper and will get through it and be happier on the other side, I hope!

[Tuckamore]

Please begin new thread and share you information.

"Old people"??? There are better terms and that is not very descriptive. Arthritis can occur at any age. There is juvenile arthritis that strikes  300,000 of our children under the age of 16.

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is not a disease in itself. Also known as pediatric rheumatic disease, JA is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children under the age of 16.

Arthritis - both RA and Osteo can strike at any age. Most practitioners will say that once you reach 50 you have some form and some degree of degeneration of joints and often arthritis sets in.

Thanks for your input.
~Tuck

[Tuckamore]

Sorry - I am not seeing any recent activity from the last two posters. In order to reach them you might try leaving a note on their Profile Pages.

If a member selects the option to be notified of notes and messages they may see yours and respond. Sorry I can't do better for you.

If you'd like to begin a discussion, ask questions or make comments please begin a new thread. You'll get better visibility and most likely more responses. This is a very old thread and belongs to another person. Your participation is important to us.

Thanks,
~Tuck

[Babikaso]

How long do I have to wear the splint, after surgery