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.

[DCWNM]

Hello John

I am considering on having this surgery an would like to know if you went through with it. I also play guitar and when I do I have to take a pain pill before and after which is only about 4 hours apart or I don't even want to drive home.

If you had the surgery please let me know how it went and how your recovery is going.

Thanks and have a good day,
Dan

[Javalover123]

I am currently 4 wks and 2 days out of LRTI on my right, dominant, hand.  The pain relating to the surgery was a little more than I expected but the most frustrating part is that no one really tells you what to expect after surgery, after pin removal, cast removal and going to occupational therapy.  I have worked in a PT and OT clinic for over 12 years and I will tell you that you MUST see an OT versus a PT.  PT's are therapists that treat gross motor, like legs, back and OT's treat fine motor such as hands and fingers.  I have had 2 OT therapy sessions and I know my participation in this and my home exercises is crucial in my recovery.  I also suffer from depression and anxiety and live alone.  Not only did I have this on my right hand I have it on my left.  My right hand carpal tunnel was much worse than the left were as the left hand arthritis, subluxation and bone spurs is worse on my left.  It was a toss up of which to do first.  Trying to manage daily tasks, go to work with only my left hand has made the pain in that hand  excruciating at best.  I have been allergic to every narcotic I have been given and am having to rely on Nsaid's Tylenol to manage pain.  If I had know this was going to take 3 or more months of therapy before I can really use my hand I would have planned different, staying with family.  This has not deterred me from having my left hand done since the pain in my left hand is so bad that what I am dealing with on my right is a piece of cake.  Advice - talk to doctor, therapist, family before you have this type of surgery done.  Be FULLY aware of what  will be the next several months of your life.

[Kjmurillo]

I have basal joint arthritis in my right thumb. Went to a arthritis specialist with my e X-rays that my primary dr ordered. The arthritis dr did shoot some cortisone into the area and I did get some relief and I returned to him in a couple of weeks. He pushed and pushed my thumb untill I told him to stop as it hurt like hell. He then told me it was my tendons and I needed to go to pain management therapy. I asked him if he ever looked at my X-rays and he said no. I have had osteo arthritis in my joints for years so I was not convinced that it was my tendons causing the pain in my thumb. So yesterday I went to see a hand specialist who told me to look up the lrti surgery and he showed me my X-rays which is bone on bone with a bone spur attached. He suggested I wear a splint on my thumb firstl and was suffled out of the office. Has anyone here worn a splint befor having the surgery? And if so how long did you wear it befor you had the surgery. To me it's like putting a bandage over it but not fixing it.

[CraftingCrofter]

Yes, I was given splints to supposedly protect the joints from worsening before surgery. While they did allow me to do more with less pain initially, they did not keep things from worsening. In fact, I started getting new pain...I think they allowed things to weaken or loosen. The pain specialist who gave me cortisone injections guessed it was something catching on the bone spurs.
The injections helped with some pain, but not that catching. I stopped wearing the splints so much and that catching pain went away (even in the hand that did not get injections).  By the third injection it no longer gave any relief from the aching or general pain when using my thumb, so I went ahead with LRTI surgery 3 days ago.
I am in a splint now until stitches come out, then will have a cast, then a removable splint. I am surprised that I don't have much pain right now. I have not taken any of the Rx yet, only a Tylenol twice for some twinging. That might be nerves waking up, so it might get worse. I am using an arm elevation pillow, Carter type, which is a block of foam that keeps my arm pointing to the ceiling, and I think that really helps. I don't see any swelling in my fingers. I am also moving my fingers lots as per doctor's orders. I was surprised that I do feel some stiffness at the base of all my fingers, but the moving seems to be helping.

[easternshore]

i am 4 weeks post op LRTI on my left ( non dominate) thumb, was in a soft cast ace bandage 1st two weeks, fiberglass cast 2 weeks ago with 2 more weeks until its removal.  i found the pain quite acute, 8-9 on a 1-10 scale and needed additional percocet for the pain.  Pain is random, thumb joint, arm incision, and general soreness.  trade off is 2-3 months of pain for 15-20 yrs pain free.  i have a low pain tolerance but "mild discomfort" was a gross understatement of the actual pain. i found sleeping easier with my arm propped up with pillows.  if you are going to elect this surgery buy a good arm sling from amazon as the sling you'll be given will be uncomfortable and keeping your arm in a sling will be a big help.