May 05, 2010

Thumb surgery relieves arthritis pain, may leave scars

A new thumb surgery dubbed "BioPro" is relieving those suffering from arthritis, though the procedure may leave scars. Scars left after surgery can be treated with the use of silicone ointments.

The previous surgery was referred to by surgeons casually as "anchovy surgery," because the joint replacement had to be rolled like an anchovy and inserted into the base of the thumb. But the new surgery's two-part metal ball replacement is easier to install and leads to a quicker recovery time, according to the Milford-Orange Bulletin.

The patient response to the new surgery has been positive. People with severe basal joint arthritis have trouble doing simple things, such as opening a jar or holding a steering wheel. With the new surgery, coupled with scar reduction products like silicone gel sheeting, patients can have their mobility restored and their hands looking great.

Maria Baris, a teacher who had trouble gripping chalk, is one fan of the new procedure.

"It’s amazing. I’m better able to maneuver things and it’s also aesthetically better in terms of how it looks," she told the news source.ADNFCR-3015-ID-19758305-ADNFCR

 

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