How to know when you just need surgery?

[minkydog]

Alright, here's the thing: I'm an RN, 29yrs, but nurses make the worst patients Several months ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in both thumbs and injected with cortisone(~ow) the steroid was wonderful--for about 2 months. Since then the pain has been sure and steady, about 2-3 out of 10 all the time, like you slammed your hand in a car door yesterday. Without the bruising. My right thumb is swollen and warm all the time--I swear it looks just like a chicken leg It's hard to grip things with my hands and i can't open most jars or pudding cups. Even pulling up pants and changing diapers is difficult, but not completely unmanageable.the pain is bearable, as long as my hubby doesn't hold my hand or my son doesn't grab me by the hand--then it's a 7-8

I have heard there are two schools of thought on treating arthritis: 1) be aggressive, don't wait too long. If surgery is indicated there is no reason to wait...and 2) wait as long as you can, until you are really unable to do things and the pain is great. Well, like I said, the pain is bearable but so annoying. All I can take is tylenol due to severe allergy to ibuprofen. And tylenol doesn't help. I don't know what else the doctor can do for me to relieve pain, since most anti-inflammatories are out. More cortisone is an option,but not a good one. The doctor can't see me for about 2wks.

How do I know when I just need to have the surgery done?

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm an RN too...a bit older than you though.

And yes, we do make the worst patients.

Sounds like you have gout. Has anyone done a uric acid level? Maybe some Allopurinol or Colchicine might help.

 

[minkydog]

I'm an RN too...a bit older than you though.

And yes, we do make the worst patients.

Sounds like you have gout. Has anyone done a uric acid level? Maybe some Allopurinol or Colchicine might help.

They are running some tests now and I see a rheumatologist in September. I probably do have gout--my big toe joint is large and several people in my family have had it. This is *so* out of my field(pediatrics )

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Yep...I'm an RN too. Recently had surgery on my shoulder and after trying my best to be the "best darn patient" I could be, I decided I knew better than the doctor. My shoulder still hurts and now I'm embarrassed to go back to the dr. because I know he'll chew my butt.
Do the research and decide the path you'd rather take. Know the pro's and con's and then search out a doctor who follows your decision (as long as it's sound). Good luck and I hope it gets to feeling better.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

What sort of surgery is available for arthritic thumbs?

 

[minkydog]

What sort of surgery is available for arthritic thumbs?

Joint replacement/reconstruction--it's major surgery. I've got about 30% bone loss in the base of my rt thuimb.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

Do you have RA or OA? You should check out WebMD's section on thumb arthroplasty. There is an entire article on deciding whether you should try surgery.

 

[hiwaygal]

Personally, I think when the pain is effecting your enjoyment of life, it's time to do whatever it takes to correct the problem.

I know I'm saying this in a room full of nurses (please don't flame the engineer! ), but so many people are SOOO against having surgery, and I don't understand it. Yes, I understand there are risks, but medicine has come a long way since leeches and hack-saws. There are REASONS surgery exists and new techniques and procedures are being developed, it's to ease pain and make life more enjoyable!

If your doctor recommends it, and it will ease your pain and make your life better, I'd say have the surgery!

Good luck to you!

 

[luvwinnie]

Is it osteoarthritis?

 

[minkydog]

I'm not sure what kind of arthritis it is. The blood has been drawn and I don't go back to the doctor for 2 wks, 6wks until I see the rheumatologist. So i'm not sure what we are dealing with exactly. I'd guess it's probably going to be OA since it's the small joints that are affected and I'm not having other RA symptoms, like fever & fatigue.

hiwaygal,I appreciate your non-nursing point of view. I actually fall into this side myself a lot of times--why put up with depression, heartburn, aches & pains, when you can do something about it. I'm 50yo--I could live to be in my 80's and I sure want to keep everything working as long as i can, even if it takes surgery to do it.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am not a nurse, I am a physical therapist. I have had neck pain since last November. I finally made an appointment and went to a PT on Tuesday. And imagine that, it helped.

The moral of the story, do what you would tell your patients to do.

 

[minkydog]

I am not a nurse, I am a physical therapist. I have had neck pain since last November. I finally made an appointment and went to a PT on Tuesday. And imagine that, it helped.

The moral of the story, do what you would tell your patients to do.

Ahem...sorry about your neck. We healthcare workers are our own worst enemy