1st of February marks the 1st of 3 various Hospital Appointments, so itay be the shortest month of the year, but for hospitals it’s my busiest month. First up is meeting the New Hand Surgeon to discuss my upcoming surgery. I’m hoping I can get it done asap, I need to ring secretary and say I’m happy to take a cancellation date.

I was happy to just be put on the list and which ever surgeon came available first was the one to do it, as My Surgeon had moved off to London instead. However this new Surgeon decided they would rather see me first and potentially do a pre op same day as well. (Again fingers crossed) Managed to get a pre op, so it’s sort of indicating it should be done within 3 months.?

The plan as I know it is to Fuse the CMC joint. Fusion (Arthrodesis)

Arthrodesis eliminates pain by fusing the bones in the joint together. Surgeons create a socket by hollowing out the thumb’s metacarpal bone and then shaping the trapezium into a cone that fits inside the socket. A metal pin holds bones together to maintain proper alignment and prevent movement while the bones fuse.

Who can benefit:  Younger, active patients who have post-traumatic arthritis or physically demanding jobs (and may therefore wear out an implant quickly); people with RA; and those who have undergone thumb surgery but haven’t gotten relief from symptoms.

Pros:  Arthrodesis produces a stable, pain-free thumb that can grasp and pinch.

Cons: The procedure has a relatively high complication rate, can damage nearby joints and cause loss of mobility in the CMC joint, including the ability to lay the palm flat and put the fingers and thumb together in a cone shape. Complications are more likely in people older than 40, according to a 2014 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery study. Arthrodesis fails in 8 to 21 percent of people, requiring a repeat surgery.

Nice to finally see my x-rays as these were took in Sept 2022 and I hadn’t seen them at all. Loved the new Surgeon, she made me feel at ease, and assured. Roll on getting a date.