Knuckle replacement RA

[Living-in-the-moment]

I have been advised to have the 4 knuckles on my right hand replaced, I am very concerned that I will not be able to do the things I do now eg. Painting, drawing and hand stitching. Can anyone who has had this operation let me know about their dexterity after the operation, how strong is your grip eg. twisting the cap off a toothpaste tube, holding a sewing needle or a pencil, even knitting? Thanks in advance.

[Downtime]

A good friend of mine has had knuckles on both hands replaced. It was very successful . I think the recovery took a while but she’s back doing all her painting and crafts and, playing golf so she’s virtually normal.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Downtime]

Hi, thank you for replying. That sounds very encouraging.

[Sarahg62]

Hi. I had 2 knuckles on my left hand replaced in the early 2000s. I was in so much pain from the sublaxed joints it was a relief to get them done. The recovery time is about 3months. I liked to cross stitch, which I was able to do for some years. I now need them both replaced again. They have lasted a lot longer then the expected time frame of 8-10 years.

[s2202 in reply to Sarahg62]

Hi I have had three knuckle replacements, both thumbs and one of my middle fingers.The thumbs are now fine although they one thumb does not look quite the same. One thumb joint was replaced and the other thumb joint was removed and they have somehow used my thumb ligaments to replace and work in the same way. This is the joint that doesn't look quite normal. My middle finger joint does not really bend at all, but I can still do all that I used to do with all of these joints, including cake decorating. With all these operations it was followed by very good physiotherapy. Now I have no pain in these areas and given the choice I would definitely do it all again.

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to s2202]

Thanks so much.

[Pulfs]

Had 3 knuckles and middle finger realigned on right hand last summer took about 3 mths doing physio religiously to get movement back and grip is improving each day and no pain. I’d say if your in pain and having difficulty using hand go ahead and have op . Mine was a day case done under a local and arm block x

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Pulfs]

Thanks very much, very helpful. Its quite a long recovery isnt it. Did you have to come off your medication in order to have the op. If so how was that? Local anasthetic sounds a bit scary X

[Pulfs in reply to Living-in-the-moment]

The only thing I had to do was arrange it so it was not to near my retuximab infusion that have . Local anaesthetic was ok injection in hand and an arm block further up it was bearable and meant I was out same day not feeling groggy. If you make sure you follow hand physio advice and don’t do too much to soon and do exercises daily it should be fine. I had to wear a specially moulded splint for 6 wks only removing to do exercises x

[Living-in-the-moment in reply to Pulfs]

Thanks so much, really helpful!