The statistics around the prevalence of medical conditions like thumb arthritis or basal joint arthritis can be shocking. Many people are unaware that nearly 8-12% of the population suffers from arthritic thumb joint, the second leading part to be affected by hand arthritis. It usually involves the fingertips. Interestingly, over 50% of women at age 70 or more face this health issue. Evident symptom includes an aching thumb base. You can feel it more when performing daily activities, such as opening a lock, jar, or zipper. The bottom of the thumb can feel tender, swollen, or stiff. At the same time, your thumb movement can be affected.
You can try home remedies, medications, and other non-invasive procedures to soothe your thumb problem. However, if nothing works, surgery can be the ultimate solution. In places like Dublin, health and cosmetic treatment centers like Stratus Plastic Surgery offer trapeziectomy as a solution. Let’s understand what this surgery entails.
Trapeziectomy
This surgery focuses on thumb arthritis or trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is an age-related arthritis condition caused by degenerated joints. A surgeon removes the trapezium bone and replaces it with a metal or silicone implant. The small-sized bone trapezium can be found in the wrist under the metacarpal bone, which tends to be the long thumb bone. The thumb often wears down due to repetitive pressure, affecting the joint cartilage covering the metacarpal and trapezium bones. It shrinks over time and becomes swollen, stiff, and painful. With this surgery, the arthritis pain in the thumb can disappear, improving your activity or movement. You can try this method if physical therapy, splinting, anti-inflammatory medicines, occupational therapy, and others fail to produce any effect.
The trapeziectomy procedure and expected recovery time
Surgeons will perform the essential checkups for heart rate, blood oxygen levels, etc. You will be given anesthesia and medicines. Depending on your health, you can be given local or general anesthesia. If the surgery includes ligament reconstruction, the surgeon will work on the metacarpal bone through an incision to reach the trapezium to cut and remove the small bone pieces. They will also pick a portion of a tendon from the wrist and reconstruct it to link it with the trapezium and the metacarpal bone.
Sometimes, they can use an artificial implant rather than a tendon. Surgery can take 60-90 minutes to complete. You will be moved to the recovery room and remain under supervision. Once your anesthesia eases and everything else is okay, you will be discharged after two hours. Your thumb will be covered with a cast, and there will be stitches. The surgeon can recommend prescription medication for inflammation and pain. Complete recovery after 12 weeks or six months is expected. Per your doctor’s recommendation, you can perform many daily activities during this time.
Trapeziectomy has been more successful than conservative treatments. However, you can enjoy its long-term benefits by practicing self-care. For instance, you may notice swelling and pain in the initial weeks after the procedure. When you sleep or sit, lift your hand. You may have fully recovered, but it is best to avoid overexertion. Be careful when you grip, pull, push, or lift anything. Also, follow up with your doctor even if you have healed.