Anyone else had this done?

B9exchange Any surgery on the bones in your hands and/or feet are very painful, and I think are more painful than hip replacements. So many nerves and nerve endings.
I do hope that you are taking all your prescribed pain meds, and taking the regularly. Taking meds regularly will hopefully dampen down, before it gets bad again. Try to spread everything out through the day, but do take the max dose prescribed, and tell your consultant at your appointment if the meds are not working.

I was going to suggest an ice pack. I had difficulty tracking one down as a previous one was leaking I wanted to warm in micro wave
Eventually found one in Asda £4
When I had a swollen wrist following cast removal for collies fracture it was soothing
My physio suggested hot and cold therapy putting hand into warm water then cold. But perhaps not if you have an unhealed scar

B9exchange

Last night I had two finger PIP joints replaced in my left hand, due to complete loss of cartilage with bone rubbing on bone. The op apparently went well, and I got home around 11.00 pm, with a nerve block which began to ease off around 3.00 am. I have never known such pain, I must be a total wimp since you lot have had loads of hips and knees done and not moaned.

I just wondered if any of you had had finger joints replaced. and how long it took for the pain to become amenable to analgesics? I was given codeine, but after an hour I developed vertigo and then threw up, so living on paracetamol and ibuprofen. Anyone else had it done or could advise?

Each of us has a different tolerance for pain. I moaned post tkr for a couple of days, even on paracetemol. It's logical to moan a bit, in my opinion.

Thank you. I had the cast removed this morning and not just the fingers, but my whole hand is twice normal size, so am trying the ice. Or at least what is left of a packet of frozen peas! Physio has banned me from using ibuprofen, but at least the pain is manageable now with one codeine and paracetamol. Interesting the problems you face, tearing off loo paper with one hand for example!

Are you allowed to ice it .
Frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel or even better some fabulous ice packs on Amazon. Check with doctor first as I know some things you can’t ice.
Gabapentine, pregablin, tramadol all high dose pain killers just to get you through . Google the best one for your situation as like ibuprofen and paracetamol they are useful for different things . Dr Zoe on this morning did a great phone in about pain last week. Wishing you well

Ouch!

Not this op, but I have an arthritic hip which has had me in agonising pain at night. My GP put me onto paracetamol with codeine when needed, which does enable to get some sleep at night. (I can't take ibuprofen because it hurts my stomach.)

I had the bone I my big toe replaced. I too have had about a dozen ops but this was by far the worst. I was in hospital for 10 days whilst they tried to control the pain - and failed. It was hell on earth. At home , my GP attended and helped a lot but can’t remember what she gave me but it it started with a jab and I slept , on and off, for days.

Thank you all, I hadn't thought of the brandy, now that is a thought! Thankfully I have discovered I can take one codeine without throwing up, and combined with paracetamol and the odd ibuprofen the pain level has gone down a notch until the next dose is due. I can't massage anything in to it as there is a large splint/cast from fingers to elbow.

You are all so lovely with your reassurance.

I had a badly torn rotator cuff repair in 2010. I remember it so well! Like you, I had a pain block. Also like you, it wore off in the early hours. I’ve never known such pain. It made labour seem a doddle! Good luck. It will get better - and then you’ll be happier that you had it done. 💕

Unless you are a sober alcoholic your best bet for pain relief is probably a double brandy!

I would not call anyone a wimp who is in pain after surgery - most people are.

I hope you feel better fast.

Hug, hug, hug. Distraction with some meditation music? Had a toe joint remade. You will get through it, medics have NO IDEA how painful the afters of ops are.

@petal53 I too had a trapeziectomy never known pain like it 8 Tramadol a day didn't help and it was 9 months before it subsided Apparently hand ops are very painful due to the sheer number of nerves in the hand OP you are NOT a wimp small joint replacement seems to be worse pain wise than large ones

Get yourself some Recover balm and massage it in a few times a day. www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/recover-a-people-only-product/https://www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/recover-a-people-only-product/
If you buy a 30ml tin of the regular one you’ll get a free 10ml sample as well. Ask for Soothe in the order notes and pop my name, Hemgranot, in too so I know it’s you ordering 💚

Thank you Charley I have just managed a shower, but my DH's attempts to dry my hair leave a lot to be desired, the sparrows outside might fancy a new nest! I am trying to keep my arm up, have been given a sling, which helps.

May I suggest you keep your hand elevated at all times, but not forgetting to bend and straighten your arm every couple of hours?

There is more flesh around a hip joint than fingers, etc. Many years ago, I had a fracture dislocation of an ankle, which had to be pinned and plated. Like you I had never experienced pain like it.

As others have said, cushion it when possible, but elevation is the key.

That's the best news yet Petal53 I should enjoy Chistmas, even if my DH does have to lift the turkey in and out of the oven!

I will try the pillow tonight,

I also used a pillow to cushion my hand.

The worst will be over in 24 hours I think...
One day at a time.

Ask your doctor to prescribe some antiemetics because they will stop you feeling sick. And ask for better pain relief. You may need to take sennacot or other to help you go to the loo whilst you’re taking heavy pain relief.

I had a trapeziectomy on both thumbs, not at the same time. That’s the removal of a small bone in the thumb joint. The pain was terrible for the first couple of days. The nights were the worst. I put a pillow under my arm/hand which helped a bit. After that it gradually eased, day by day. After a couple of weeks I had no pain.

Thank you Allira

I must be a total wimp since you lot have had loads of hips and knees done and not moaned.

No, you're not.
And I moaned, a lot (a different joint replacement).
Codeine can make you constipated. You need to ask if you can have something more effective if the pain is really bad.

Hoping it eases soon and the joint replacement is successful.

Thank you. I wouldn't take the ibuprofen longterm. just to get me through the first few days, as I wasn't warned not to, but thanks for your help, I will check with my consultant at my follow up appointment on Friday

No. But I've had a joint in one thumb scraped and pinned together to immobilise because of arthritis.
I just took the maximum dose of paracetamol.
I wasn't allowed ibuprofen because it prevents bone growth.
I don't get on with codeine.

Deep breaths.
Thinking of you.