About this topic
Thumb arthroplasty is a surgery that is done to help with the signs of arthritis in your thumb. The ends of our bones are covered with a protective coating called cartilage. The cartilage helps the bones glide smoothly with movement. Over time, the cartilage may wear away and then the bones rub on each other. This causes pain and swelling. ‚
Your doctor will have done a surgery to help lower the pain in your thumb. Sometimes the doctor will fuse the joint so there is no more movement. Your doctor may have taken a small bone out of your wrist and placed a tendon to act as a cushion when you move your thumb. Your doctor may have put in a new thumb joint. Talk to your doctor to make sure you understand what kind of surgery you had on your thumb. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Prop your hand on pillows to help with swelling.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should go back to the doctor to have your bandages changed
- How to cover your bandage to take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, exercising, or driving
- Wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Move your fingers as much as possible in your splint.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You will likely need to have your bulky bandage from surgery taken off after about 10 days. At this time, your doctor may also take out any stitches that are in your wounds. You will likely be placed in a cast or brace to keep you from moving your thumb for a few more weeks.
- If you have a pin in your thumb that needs to come out, the doctor will often take it out about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.
- About 4 weeks after surgery, you will start therapy to help you be able to move your hand more easily. Your therapist will also work with you to help your hand become stronger.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Nerve injury
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Joint stiffness or not able to move your thumb as well as before
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- More numbness in hand
- A lot of swelling that makes fingers go numb all of a sudden, or turn dark blue. Call for emergency help if this happens.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain, numbness, or swelling or my fingers are cool or blue.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00210 ‚
American Society for Surgery of the Hand ‚
http://handcare.assh.org/Hand-Anatomy/Details-Page/ArticleID/26803/Arthritis-Base-of-the-Thumb.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚