Rhizarthrosis
Operation Description
When a doctor diagnoses osteoarthritis, treatment can begin conservatively, involving sparing the thumb and hand in general, rest, and medications to relieve pain and inflammation. If these methods fail to cure osteoarthritis, surgical intervention is the only and the best solution. The goal is to restore the function of the thumb joint and alleviate pain to improve the function of the finger and the entire hand.
If you want to hear more details about rhizarthrosis surgery, schedule a consultation at +38169 3699801. At Colić Hospital, a team of expert doctors specializing in aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery, including hand surgery, awaits you. They will explain all the details of the procedure and give their opinion on the decision for the surgery.
Candidates
- Individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint
- Individuals for whom other methods of treating rhizarthrosis have not been successful
- Individuals experiencing pain in the thumb joint
- Individuals with weakened thumb function
Preparation
When osteoarthritis of the thumb is diagnosed, surgical intervention is arranged and performed under local anesthesia. It is advisable to stop smoking a month before surgery and discontinue the use of blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements two weeks before to facilitate the operative and postoperative course.
Operation time
A doctor administers local anesthesia to the area around the thumb joint. An incision is made in the wrist region, providing access to the thumb joint. The damaged cartilage and affected bone are removed, followed by the reconstruction of ligaments to restore stability to the thumb's movement. Stainless steel Kirschner wires are placed for stabilizing the joint and facilitating the healing of deep tissues. Afterward, the incision is stitched, and the surgery finishes. The duration of the intervention is between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Recovery
The patient goes home after the intervention. The stitches are removed 14 days after the procedure, and the wires for stabilizing the joint are removed 6 weeks after the surgery.
Rest is recommended, especially in the first days after the operation, and avoiding the use of the operated hand. Complete recovery after rhizarthrosis surgery takes several months, including physiotherapy to restore thumb joint function.
Safety precautions
In the initial days of recovery after surgically treating carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, pain, swelling, and bruising may occur but quickly subside. Complications, though rare, that may occur after rhizarthrosis surgery include continuous pain, muscle weakness around the thumb joint, and reduced joint mobility. If they occur, they are regulated with physiotherapy.
Following preoperative and postoperative advice from the doctor can help prevent any complications.
Price
The cost of carpometacarpal osteoarthritis surgery - rhizarthrosis at Colić Hospital is 1800 euros. The services included in the price are:
- The surgery itself
- Short hospital stay
- Necessary medications
- Check-ups and dressings in the days after the surgery
- Suture removal
Not included in the procedure cost are the initial examination with the doctor, blood and ECG tests, examinations by specialists outside the hospital, costs before admission to the hospital, telephone expenses, and medications the patient takes at home before or after the procedure.
Refer to the exact price list for all services provided by Colić Hospital.