PIP Joint Replacement Anyone?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

MNP - 09 Feb 2006 16:00 GMT

Has anyone here had the PIP joint replacement surgery done? I am going to
the hand surgeon again today as my ulnar drift it making life quite
difficult. I have read a few articles about the procedure but nothing about
the real life post op reality of it. Considering I would need atleast 3 of
my fingers done on my dominant hand I would think the therapy is fairly
extensive and the pain isn't a picnic either.

Anyways any experiences?

Shandi

Reply to this Message

RoseB - 10 Feb 2006 02:00 GMT

>Has anyone here had the PIP joint replacement surgery done? I am going to
>the hand surgeon again today as my ulnar drift it making life quite
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Shandi

Well questions that I woud ask would be in regards to function and
strength.Will the surgery allow you to have adequate function to carry
out what you need to do in your life?
for me, when I saw the hand surgeon several years ago, the explanation
given was that I could achieve straighter fingers, but there was no
guarantee on functionality. Because I am a teacher and need to be able
to print well, it did not seem like a wise choice. My fingers of my
dominant hand are bent and crooked, and the tendons have ruptured many
years ago. But I have surprisingly good function and that is more
important than a straight hand. In so far as pain control, I don't
think there would be a significant improvement.
Rose @}>->--
Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Reply to this Message

MNP - 10 Feb 2006 02:44 GMT

TY Rose.

While my wrists are shot apparently my MP/PIP joints are looking good.
Since I do not want to do surgery until my DH is out of school we decided to
give a dynamic extension splint a try. It certainly looks like some sort of
medievil torture device.

What the hand surgeon is suggesting is if I get little results with the
splint we will try a soft tissue resurfacing I believe he said. The down
sides are it isn't as pretty afterwards and it has a lengthy recovery like
the replacement. But the positive is I still have my joints. No sense in
replacing something that doesn't need replacing. It would be outpatient
which is also a nice thought. Especially since I will be in the hospital
for awhile whenever I get these knees replaced.

Shandi

>>Has anyone here had the PIP joint replacement surgery done? I am going to
>>the hand surgeon again today as my ulnar drift it making life quite
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Reply to this Message

RoseB - 10 Feb 2006 03:06 GMT

>TY Rose.
>
>While my wrists are shot apparently my MP/PIP joints are looking good.
>Since I do not want to do surgery until my DH is out of school we decided to
>give a dynamic extension splint a try. It certainly looks like some sort of
>medievil torture device.

Have you tried the splint yet?
I wore resting splints all the time when i was younger and first got
RA, and then my hands would become so numb, and the wrists fused, so
the therapists thought I would be better not wearing them.

Since then, I have periodically had new splints made, and wear them if
things are acting up. They can feel like a torture device however, and
I can not tolerate them for long at those times. I still have the
numbness. Part of the problem with that was that my hands would become
numb and fixed in the splints, and then I was unable to remove them.

My left hand does not look pretty, but I am able to do the small
primary printing that I am required to do. I bet most people do not
notice but simply think that I keep my hand closed. I notice though
and in my 20s was very sensitive about my hands looking this way. Now
I am just thankful that they work.

Rose @}>->--
Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Reply to this Message

MNP - 10 Feb 2006 04:18 GMT

I have a regular resting splint for both of my *hands*. One was for my
ulnar drift and the other was for wrist pain. I wore the resting splint for
a year and given the pain and the fact I was getting worse I just stopped
wearing it. Although I adjusted it, wore padding it would give me sores.

This new one they are going to make for me is probably like the one you had
after your surgery. It has the forearm supports with all those rubber bands
and pulley looking things. Dynamic extension splint it is called. I am to
wear that during the way and the resting splint (HA!) at night.

The answer for me is to find a drug that will work. Reluctantly, I am going
back to MTX once the mailorder arrives. By early next week I should hear
about the Orencia. I have tried Remicade, Kineret, Enbrel, can't afford
Humira now that my son is T1 diabetic. We had hoped to get all our bills
straightened out so we could afford the Humira, which we did until we had to
pay PICU charges for 4 days, doctors, insulin, diabetic supplies...errrr.
If he doesn't take his insulin he will die eventually. If I don't get
Humira I am just uncomfortable until it may or may not decide to affect
other organs. The son wins the battle of the medical dollars ;)

Shandi

>>TY Rose.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Reply to this Message

beth k. - 14 Feb 2006 23:46 GMT

Hi Shandi~

My name is Beth and I'm usually a lurker but, after reading your post,
I wanted to respond. Last May I had the MCP joint in my thumb
replaced. I'm a pianist and so this was a HUGE deal for me. I can
honestly say that it's one of the best things I ever did! I'm planning
on having the thumb and index mcp's replaced in my left hand this
summer. It was outpatient surgery - surgery itself started at 1:00 and
I left the hospital at 6:30. The day after surgery was AWFUL. But -
after that, the pain was tolerable and then quite minimal. I have a
friend who works in an orthopedic office and she told me that the day
after I'll wonder why I did this... but, it'll get better soon. She
was right! I spent much of last summer going to a hand therapist -
rehab protocol is pretty regimented and slow moving. The biggest issue
w/ that joint replacement was not so much getting the joint moving -
but, rather, keeping the joint stable in the joint capsule. If you
overdo the rehab - the joint gets sloppy. The mobility comes - but,
you've got to be patient (and gentle) with yourself.
I'd be very happy to tell you more....

Take care!
Beth

Reply to this Message