[cyclelops]

So, I am going to see a hand surgeon for a possible tendon transplant surgery for my thumbs. I wonder what the success of this kind of surgery is with PNers.

Any feedback?

[dahlek]

IF so, web up under this boards 'search feature' tarsal tunnel... and see what's worked or not? Be sure to get the 'odds' of successful surgery from the doc?
I'd much rather go thru first? Extensive GOOD PT! [Tho that can be an oxymoron these days?] Less invasion? Better options for recovery...that's my motto these days.

I know too many folks who've had carpal and gotten surgeries... which werent' essentiallly? Successful. I would DO the PT and whole analysis route first until it ends? Before I'd even consider surgeries! They often seem to make stuff soo much worse. I am normarlly a 'DIVE IN' to the swamp kind of person? But this stuff can and does get squirrelley! Just one humble PN sufferer to anothoer? I don't LIKE MY PAIN? I've learned to LIVE with it. And I research the heck outta any alternatives to the pentultimate! [Essentiallly page 15 on Google?] And all other venues it mite lead me. Go cautiously and carefully into this territory, please! Just the s/e's of surgeries can be a bugaboo! While I am against it all? I can see where and when doing surgeries can and does help. I just hope that there's no additional damages on top of the existing ones. That is the part I'd fear most and worst!
's - j

[Koala77]

I don't know anyone who's had the surgery, but all that I've read about it has been positive so I'd be optimistic if I was having it myself.

Originally Posted by dahlek

IF so, web up under this boards 'search feature' tarsal tunnel...

Tarsal refers to the foot, so if you wish to do a search about nerve compression in the wrist (cyclops mentioned thumbs), then you will need to search carpal tunnel and not tarsal.

The surgery you mention doesn't sound like Carpal Tunnel release to me; rather, I believe it's what we here call Tendon Transfer.

Tendon transfer surgery has been popular since the middle part of the 20th century, when transfers for multiple peripheral nerve paralyses, including median, ulnar, and radial nerve palsies, became common.

Tendon transfer is used to restore function where spasticity has been caused by any of a multitude of conditions ... including injury, cerebral palsy and stroke, to name a few.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1286712-overview

I even found some youtube videos on the thumb transfer, if you feel up to viewing them, although I admit I've not watched them myself yet.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Good luck with your surgery. Hopefully some-one will be along soon to tell you how good they feel since they had their own operation performed.

[echoes long ago]

i worked with a guy who lost his thumb on the job and had his big toe transplanted to take its place so he could stay on the job. It actually worked pretty well all things considered and he stayed on the job for a number of years. Of course during dinner time at work he was often told Hey get your foot off the table!

[cyclelops]

Yes, I am seeing a surgeon who does hand repairs, such as when an amputation occurs. I need a bone removed from both thumbs. They have pulled into the palm of my hand due to severe degenerative arthritis. They are pretty much useless and very painful. My neuro said I needed to get it fixed. It is hard to function without thumbs. I have other joints affected but this is terrible.

As for carpal tunnel, this is not the issue, but perhaps they will do a release anyway, which is fine.

I can't take the bone pain from this condition. They are going to remove this bone and use a curled up tendon as a piece of cartilage. I have heard it is fairly effective. I have waited a very long time to do this, and time is running out to get any kind of good results.

Well, I will know more soon. I see the doctor soon.

My concern is having this done when you already have neuropathy. I am a bit concerned over trauma to already bad nerves....on the other hand, it is so bad now that it can't get much worse.

Thanks for your input.

[kpRN]

Originally Posted by cyclelops

Yes, I am seeing a surgeon who does hand repairs, such as when an amputation occurs. I need a bone removed from both thumbs. They have pulled into the palm of my hand due to severe degenerative arthritis. They are pretty much useless and very painful. My neuro said I needed to get it fixed. It is hard to function without thumbs. I have other joints affected but this is terrible.

As for carpal tunnel, this is not the issue, but perhaps they will do a release anyway, which is fine.

I can't take the bone pain from this condition. They are going to remove this bone and use a curled up tendon as a piece of cartilage. I have heard it is fairly effective. I have waited a very long time to do this, and time is running out to get any kind of good results.

Well, I will know more soon. I see the doctor soon.

My concern is having this done when you already have neuropathy. I am a bit concerned over trauma to already bad nerves....on the other hand, it is so bad now that it can't get much worse.

Thanks for your input.

I agree. Sometimes the only option IS the other option. When you live with pain day in and day out, to be given an opportunity to make a difference, I say GO FOR IT!! Sending you best wishes and will pray for a successful outcome.

[mrsD]

When you have this surgery, please look at PubMed for the studies like these, that show Vitamin C prevents RSD as a result of surgery or trauma to the foot and wrist:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12584978

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606778

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19840748

There are many other articles from around the world, some from Mayo even showing that taking Vitamin C at 500mg to 1000mg daily before, during and up to 50 days after greatly reduced incidence of RSD developing.

RSD is a neuropathy as well, and in anyone with complex issues already I would think is a risk. This is so easy to do, and inexpensive, that I think,Cyclelops you may profit from these studies.

This is the keyword to use for more PubMed hits:
"Vitamin C reflex sympathetic dystrophy"
They go back about a decade.

I hope you find some relief with this procedure. I can't imagine having painful, useless thumbs like you have so far!

[cyclelops]

Thanks for the encouragement and vit. C is an easy thing to do....that, I can do, along with my flaxseed oil, which has made a difference in my dry eye...at least a bit of difference and anything helps.

I hope I get the go ahead on the thumbs....they are pretty bad.