Does anyone have a pyrocarbon finger joint replaced MCP index finger?
I am an active 59 year old carpenter that between RA and cortisone injections the joint is done. Extreme pain that keeps me up at night and is painful all day. My surgeon said it would be better if I were retired or had a desk job because I might break it. Does anyone have one and can you share your thoughts?
Hi
!
I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. For many people, our hands are our source of livelihood, as well as the gateway to achieving our passions. It can be debilitating to be faced with the notion that we may lose partial function of our hands. On top of that, I understand not everyone is in a position where they can comfortably retire based on their health needs.
I would absolutely recommend asking your rheumatologist for their thoughts on joint replacement if you are considering it. Some physicians may suggest alternate approaches before surgery, which you may be interested in trying. I would also recommend talking to an orthopedic surgeon about their thoughts regarding surgery. Remember that if you aren't satisfied, you can always get a second opinion from another rheumatologist. In the meantime, you might consider cutting down on how much manual labor you do with your hands during the week, to avoid further aggravating the joint(s).
This article by our editorial team may be helpful to you, it discusses hand and wrist surgery options and the different procedures that are out there. https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/surgery/hand-and-wrist-surgery/
I wish you all the best going forward with your treatment plan! - Cindy (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
