Hi all. I haven't been on the site for awhile but I was hoping someone may have a little experience with finger joint replacements.

I've had my right little finger fused about 18 months ago ... more to test the waters in terms of how well my bones would take to fusing than to improve anything. It went OK and I'm now scheduled for surgery on the rest of the hand for 1 December. I'm having all four knuckles replaced and the thumb fused.

I read the answers to a previous post but my main questions are really about the hospital stay and the recuperation thereafter. I'm on my own with my two children and I'm right-handed and would like to hear from others how long the hand is out of action for, realistically. Does anyone know how long I may have to stay in hospital for? The surgeon said that I'd be in for a night or two ... why so long?

Is it all really worth it? I would be lying if I said that the nerves weren't getting worse with the big day growing ever nearer.

Thanks for reading,

Joanna

Hi Joanna

Its good to hear from you

I am sorry that I am unable to offer any advice about this type of surgery, hopefully you will get the advice you need and hope all goes well.

Best wishes Julia x

It was suggested I have finger joint replacements in 2007 but after a lot of research I decided against it. Spoke to a few people who had it done and they said it wasn't very successful and the replacements only last a few years.

I was then advised to have 3 of my middle finger joints fused which I didn't go ahead with because of ongoing lung infections. What I have noticed is the middle joints of each finger on my right hand have fused naturally over time. This has reduced the pain considerably but obviously I can't bend them now so I have lost a lot of grip.

Any type of type of surgery is a big decision and you need to weigh up all the pros and cons.
Best wishes
Rebecca

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