WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about thumb arthroplasty? Thumb arthroplasty is surgery to replace part or all of the joint at the base of your thumb. This joint is where your thumb bone and wrist bone meet. How do I prepare for thumb arthroplasty? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during thumb arthroplasty? General or regional anesthesia will be given to keep you free from pain during the surgery. Your surgeon will make an incision on the skin over your thumb joint. He will remove part or all of your wrist bone. He may also remove part of your thumb bone. He will reconstruct your joint using cartilage, a tendon taken from your forearm, or an artificial implant. Your surgeon will close your incision with stitches and cover it with bandages. What are the risks of thumb arthroplasty? You may have stiffness in your thumb after surgery. You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. If you received an implant, the implant may get loose, break, or become unstable. |