New here....need advice on swan neck fingers and operation/treatment

[Sneek123]

Hi, I am very new to this and is the first forum I have ever joined. I have RA and hand left hand deviation and swan neck fingers and need an operation, I am currently using plastic splints on fingers and a night brace. Has anyone else had the op? Im interested to know what movement is like afterwards as I am a secretary. Thanks

[AgedCrone]

Have you been advised by your doctors to have surgery or do you just want it for cosmetic reasons?

[Sneek123 in reply to AgedCrone]

one doctor advised no surgery as Im not in any pain and the other said better to get it done sooner rather than later. I dont care what it looks like I just want it to be better functioning than it is now. I am still working and typing is becoming a problem but obviously dont want the operation to make it worse. Thanks

[AgedCrone in reply to Sneek123]

Have you seen a consultant specialist hand surgeon for in depth advice & found out what the surgery would entail? I have a swan neck forefinger & when I saw a hand surgeon for another condition he mentioned it....but in my case the recovery time to me was unacceptable.....so I just put up with it.....it only hurts on & off & I have adapted to not having much use in it..,had it for about 15 years so used to it by now....I hope you get yours sorted

[oldtimer]

Do you know what type of surgery is proposed? Wrist? Metacarpals? tendons?

And how handicapped are you currently? Without knowing both it's hard to know what degree of function you might have afterwards.

[Sneek123 in reply to oldtimer]

one doctor advised no surgery as Im not in any pain and the other said better to get it done sooner rather than later. I dont care what it looks like I just want it to be better functioning than it is now. I am still working and typing is becoming a problem but obviously dont want the operation to make it worse.

They want to reaalign my finger tendons as they have slipped off my knuckles which is causing the deviation and six months later want to operate on swan fingers - so basically a year of surgery/recovery.

Thanks

[CatherineLy in reply to Sneek123]

Hi, I had surgery to realign my tendons as they had slipped off my knuckles, that was in November last year, it’s gone really well and recovery is better than I thought. I also have swam neck on the same hand which they will do after I’ve completely recovered from this op. It’s been one of the best things I’ve done to be honest.

[oldtimer in reply to Sneek123]

You could ask your work for a dictation package. Once trained it needs little typing. They are required to make reasonable adaptations.

[Recorder500L]

Hi, I have had RD for 30 years and before retirement was a Secretary. I couldn't get on with the plastic splints for my fingers, I a sterling silver ring splint on the second finger of both hands. Ask your Rheumatology Consultant as there are lots of splints available for different conditions/shapes of fingers. They are brilliant, I can still type and they also enable me to hold a cup of tea albeit with two hands sometimes. Take Care.