Hi everyone,

I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has experience in this area. I have the usual RA hand problems - swan neck fingers, enlarged knuckles & palm closing in. I am seeing a surgeon next month in relation to one finger which has gone U shaped & is affecting my grip.

I'm guessing from what I have read the options are to fuse the bone or a joint replacement. I also suspect that once they see the state of my hands they will offer to do more than just the finger. Although it would be nice to have a better looking hand, I don't want to risk loosing any more function or strength.

Just wondered if anyone out there has any thoughts as I would like to go armed with as much info as possible. The other thing is we no longer have a hand surgeon in this area & I've been referred to a plastic surgeon - is this normal?

Thanks in advance

Liz.

Hi Liz,

I have had the swan neck deformities of the first two fingers of both of my hands corrected. I have never seen a 'hand' surgeon for my hands and have only ever been under plastics, and just thought this was usual.

They were not too bad operation wise, from what I recall and two of the four have remained un-swan necked.

The worse affected joints have gone back now (due to the joint damage) and I have very restricted movement in the knuckle of my index finger now. I too am now in the position of thinking about a joint replacement/fusion for it. However, I understood that replacements don't tend to offer much functionally, and as it isn't very painful, more annoying, I too am a bit unsure as to the best course of action, if any.

Good luck with your fingers!

Amanda

Hi Liz

I have had some hand and wrist surgery and really need more but for now putting off the dreaded day!

I have had a joint removed and the bones fused at the base of my left thumb and a right wrist replacement. Like you I have a couple of swan-neck deformities although oddly they are nowhere near as bad as they used to be, can't quite figure that out! Several damaged, misshapen knuckles and the odd finger joint badly swollen. I am also the proud owner of a magnificent ulnar drift on my right hand!! My ops were both done by an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hands and feet (they are very similar!).

The thing with fusions is that the joint becomes fixed and all functionality will be lost. With a finger that could make it very awkward to use the hand and the grip would become more difficult. I believe, more usually, finger joints are replaced as this means they will stay useable to some extent.

I think in your position I might be inclined to go along and see what they suggest, although completely understand your wish to be armed!

I wish you well. Do let us know how you go on,

Lyn x

Hi Sally

Pleased to hear the hand ops went so well and functionality is restored. I had both feet operated on at the same time by a man, equally useless in terms of being able to do anything! Reason being surgeon said after the first op you probably won't come back for the second. He wasn't wrong

Lyn x

Hi Liz

That's really good news as tendon repair should give you much improved flexibility in your hands/fingers. Perhaps the need for fusion will head out the window!

I am having a resting splint made that will hopefully help to realign my fingers which currently drift at a 45degree angle. Personally I think, after 15 years , they might be a bit late as said fingers have no intention of returning from whence they came any time soon!! But it will cost them less than sending me for surgery and the aftercare required Such is life

Do keep us posted with progress Liz. It will be good to hear how you're getting on.

Lyn x