CMC Basal Thumb Joint Arthroplasty Surgery
 

Mrs. Omega just booked in for mid-July CMC joint removal for arthritis-Anchovy Procedure.
Any experiences to share?
Pain reduction?
Pinch Strength after recovery?
Recovery time?

Yikes!!! I could do the usual and make a joke, but I feel for her and you.

Hope all goes well. That sounds like not so much fun.

If anyone's spell check would default to 'Anchovy', it would have to be Omega's :)

Are they doing a suspensionplasty, or actual joint replacement?
Things to ask about would include pinch strength loss after the procedure, as well as thumb length.
An actual joint replacement is a nice option, if it works, it works very well, maintaining pinch strength and length. If it doesn't work (which happens in 10%of cases or so), they can remove that and go with the suspensionplasty.

This one.
Surgeon trained with the guy who invented the technique.

Warning-Surgery Vid is Graphic

http://www.rearmyourselftexas.com/ta...ovy-procedure/

its a fairly common procedure. Downsides are a potential 3-4 month recovery time, loss of pinch strength, gradual shortening of the thumb due to them basically stuffing tendon where the trapezium was, and few repair options due to the bone being removed.
On the plus side, it has a 96% success rate, with results lasting 15-20 years.