Arthritis in Hands, Surgery?
#28
Agree digger, it is the faulty autoimmune response that attacks your own cartilage. You can stop the attack but not fix the damage as far as I know.

I know nothing about the proposed surgery.
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#29
Tony,
Sorry to hear about the difficulties with your hands.  Sounds like you have some tough decisions to make. 

i can’t offer any advice about your arthritis itself.  But I have logged enough frequent-flier miles in ORs in recent years to know the value of getting a second opinion, one or more.  Each time I’ve been amazed at the diversity of opinions I get from specialists with similar training.  Even when they agree, talking with more people helps understand the situation and options better.

I like some of this to come from someone who is not necessarily a specialist in treating my condition of the moment.  I have an internist I’ve seen for several years who knows me, knows my medical history, and helps me keep things in perspective as I deal with the specialists and surgeons.  

Keep in mind that people like to do what they’re good at.   A great specialist may be your salvation, but can also be like the proverbial man with a hammer, seeing everything as a nail.  Additional opinions can help you make sure the procedure you ultimately choose is best choice for you.

I hope for the best outcome for you.

Paul
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#30
(03-17-2017, 05:40 PM)digger Wrote: When all the cartilage between the joints is gone, I'm not aware of any supplement that will


grow back cartilage. Also, if one is allergic to shellfish you can't take glucosamine.

I agree supplements likely won't (see below), but the reason I suggested vitamin D was how it ties into chronic pain and also the immune system (possibly slowing additional damage).

It does appear to be the case that new therapies can regrow cartilage, but obviously these aren't supplements:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl...ritis.html
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#31
Sorry that it took so long to respond.  I greatly appreciate all the information, concerns, and recommendations posted here and in a pm (you know who you are JR).   Surgery was always going to be my last resort.  (You'd think I'd know better that to go into a room with a doc and a very sharp knife.  I had arthroscopic surgery on a knee about 20 years ago, and I wish I hadn't.  All that malarky about being back in action in a week might apply to high level athletes, but the experience isn't the same for a guy who spent all his work days at a desk.  It took forever to feel relatively normal and I still have stiffness in the knee.) 

I think I'm going to start out with the no knives, no-meds approach--up my cardio time, resume some weight work, lose the tire, change my diet--all of which have other obvious merits. (I've made this promise to myself before, but the stakes are a bit higher.)  Card scrapers are out, and the mandolin I recently bought is about to go back in the closet.

Pity party over.  I'm blessed in so many ways while others live with far, far worse, that I feel stupid even opening my mouth about the OA.  Time for one of these again.  
Slap  (Both of those are me.)

Again, many thanks.
Tony
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#32
"Card scrapers are out, and the mandolin I recently bought is about to go back in the closet."

Actually staying active is essential.
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#33
(03-21-2017, 11:54 PM)ez-duzit Wrote: "Card scrapers are out, and the mandolin I recently bought is about to go back in the closet."

Actually staying active is essential.

Gentle finger exercise of about any kind done regularly will loosen up the hand and finger joints, altho with some pain at times.  After teaching tai chi for 10 years to lots of folks - mostly, but not all ladies - our age; many of them have said to me that their various hand joint issues were eased.  Some of them had a lot of pain at first, but over years of time are almost pain free.  Of course, you have to do the movements every day... kinda like a rehab program.  As many have said here, you still have to do the drugs and rehab exercises after surgery anyway.  As my fingers get thick and a little stiff over the years, I am hoping this continues to work for me....
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#34
Don't know now much transference there is, but I had some OA issues with my knee last year. Doc started me on PT and sent me to an ortho. Ortho wanted to cut. I said not yet. PT started helping. I still have some issues, but take no pain meds, and can make a full shift without limping at the end. Stretching exercises helped the most.
"Mongo only pawn in game of life."        Mongo
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