Immediately after a dislocation, avoid popping the finger back into the joint yourself. Patients who perform forceful loading and repetitive tasks with their thumb will likely require six to 12 weeks off work. You cant undo the surgery. Our Surgeons' Guide to Recovering From Hand Surgery Many older adults have arthritis in their thumbs, which makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks. You may also need to take a break from certain drugs or supplements you take several days before surgery as they may promote bleeding or interfere with anesthesia. Following surgery, it is crucial that you follow the instructions of your doctor to avoid scarring and minimize the risk of tendon rupture. LRTI Surgery: Procedure, Protocol, Success Rate, and Recovery Time This ensures smooth rotation of the wrist. Burton RI. Carpal Tunnel Release | Johns Hopkins Medicine Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome FAQ - psna.net Athletes particularly dislike being in casts, and on top of that they can't return to play for sometimes up to 10-12 weeks, Shin notes. Scapholunate Ligament Repair Surgery Self-care and follow-up Wound Care Right after surgery, you will be placed in a long arm splint that includes the thumb, forearm, and elbow. After a wrist injury, ligament damage may result in an unstable joint. Physical therapy for thumb arthritis begins by focusing on pain and swelling control. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision about the size of a buttonhole. This type of thumb sprain is considered chronic and is known as gamekeepers thumb. That process can take up to three months, but many patients achieve full range of . The newer technique eliminates the need for harvesting the tendon, eliminates the need for drilling a large hole in the thumb metacarpal, decreases wrist stiffness, and significantly hastens recovery, Ruch says. Youll also be asked to perform a series of gentle exercises using your thumb to improve strength, range of motion, and stability around the joint. All rights reserved. Learn all about total and partial elbow arthroplasty, the difference between linked and unlinked replacements, and what to expect during recovery.