AA or "Annie's Arthritis"
Arthritis at the base of the thumb, technically affects the carpo-metacarpal (CMC) joint, i.e. the joint between the bones of the wrist and the first bone of the thumb. This is quite a remarkable joint as it allows the thumb to move in virtually all directions.
The thumb is absolutely critical to our ability to do many activities, so when it becomes painful it can be incredibly frustrating. Unfortunately for women CMC joint arthritis is far more common than in men. There are a number of different theories which include increased laxity in the joint in women, with tighter contact pressures but there is probably a genetic component as well.
Treatment Options
I've been receiving Cortisone injections into both arthritic joints for over a year - a VERY painful procedure, let me tell you - and these shots have bought time before surgery, which is now required. Dr. Bill will remove the Trapezium bone in my right hand (first) and replacing it with tendon from my wrist.
In effect this forms a fibrous joint. There have been a number of variations of the surgical method but the simplest is often the best; forming the 'fibrous' joint by simply folding in adjacent soft tissue, primarily the thickened capsule of the arthritic joint (2) and securing the new construct with dissolvable sutures (3). However, to develop the stability the thumb requires, it is necessary for the hand to be immobilised in a cast for about 6 weeks.
Once surgery on the right hand has been completed, I will consider the same procedure for the left.
Got to get through Girls Camp in the meantime!
(I begged Dr. Bill to do both surgeries at the same time - he refused....for obvious reasons, the least of which is the fact that we don't own a bidet.)
5 comments:
grAnnie - HOW EXCITING!!! I am so glad that you will be rid of your pain soon! I feel very educated now with such a great explantion with illustrations and all! You are becoming the blogging queen! I hope this surgery does not hinder your posts :( along with everything else you do with your thumb!!! WE LOVE YOU!
I will be praying that this works for you! It's always strange to find that it's the littlest things... like our thumbs, a papercut, a sliver... that can cause us great pain!
Keep us updated here.
And yay for girls camp! I have a new appreciation for the opportunities our stake experiences after chatting with you!
Annie...you really are one of my heroes. How you have survived so much and yet are the happiest, most lovable person I know is just beyond me?!?! Good luck with the surgery. I hope it means that you're hands will be pain free from here on out!
love, Sara
p.s. I kind of wish my name was Jamie so that I could stick with the trend of people posting comments to your blog! :)
ditto Sara's post. I hope things go very smoothly. Speaking of girls camp, Ande will be going this year, can you stand it?
can't wait to see you guys!
Surgery day is coming and that means that you get to be queen of the universe. Everyone must cater to you. That's the rule. I don't make the rules... I just politely remind people that they exist.
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