Arthritis in Hands, Surgery?

[cpolubin]

For those whose arthritis isn't in the surgery ballpark yet, try daily doses of Tumeric Curcumin and Glucosamine Chondroitin. You can get both at the drug store or Amazon.

My joints were getting really stiff and aching. My Dr prescribed Celebrex but I wasn't really excited about taking a nsaid daily. A friend suggested Tumeric so I did some searches and it seemed to be a possibility. My wife's Dr told her that if you're taking Tumeric you should also be taking glucosamine. The combination got rid of my aches and stiffness.

May not be for everyone but it's working for me.

Cliff

[gMike]

There are LED therapy devices for arthritis for hands.  They are not cheap but, I'm told, they do work although they are topical relief and not a real cure.  Amazon and others carry them if you search on "LED light therapy for hands".  Hot wax baths and or frequent hot water immersion also are supposed to provide relief.  LOML has arthritis in her hands and uses a combination of these techniques to provide some relief.

It sounds like your pain may be more severe than hers.

[digger]

I've had thumb arthroplastys of both thumbs. I have no pain now. My grip may be a little weaker, but all in all I'm glad I did it. My surgeon uses a different approach. Rather than using a tendon harvested, I believe from the wrist. He creates a "hammock" of sorts with stitching. This allows scar tissue to form in the space that the bone was removed. The recovery period is a lot shorter. My doctor is Dr. Weiss, if your DR. would like to discuss that procedure with him.
Not sure I explained all of that right. But I can answer any questions you might have.
My mistake was waiting to long to have the thumb treated, so that the cortisone treatments were not helpful. Also, I can not stomach NSAIDs.

[Arlin Eastman]

Tony

I have known one relative and one close friend who had the surgery done and both regretted it a lot.  For both of them the scars got really thick and they had to go back and scrap off the hard parts and resewn them back and both of them said it really made very little difference from before surgery to after surgery.  Neither one would do it again after 3 and 4 times of doing it.

[daddo]

For those whose arthritis isn't in the surgery ballpark yet, try daily doses of Tumeric Curcumin and Glucosamine Chondroitin. You can get both at the drug store or Amazon.

My joints were getting really stiff and aching. My Dr prescribed Celebrex but I wasn't really excited about taking a nsaid daily. A friend suggested Tumeric so I did some searches and it seemed to be a possibility. My wife's Dr told her that if you're taking Tumeric you should also be taking glucosamine. The combination got rid of my aches and stiffness.

May not be for everyone but it's working for me.

Cliff

   This is my route right now. I always change my diet and intake with herbs and/or supplements for ailments and I get a good outcome.

 Ginseng is also a good choice.

[Adnick]

My hands can look as though I have severe RA, all drawn up and contorted, but it's because of a spinal cord injury. The hand specialist I see told me no more shots, that surgery was my only option, and the surgery only fixes the pain, they may still draw up.

That was many years ago, use medication, hot paraffin baths and the topical nsaid cream mentioned above, it's wonderful stuff....my intent is to avoid surgery if at all possible. Should disclose that I've had four different surgeries already, in an attempt to keep my arms/hands working, but they couldn't be avoided. Also have nerve damage that reduces my skin sensitivity, so I can cut or burn myself without knowing, that can be a problem ;-)

My wife has RA and she has been able to greatly reduce the affects/control her RA with diet and light medication, things like Celebrex are light medications for people with RA. She also uses the topical nsaid cream.

My experience has guided me to only have surgery when there's no other options, because drugs and shots are usually still required after surgery, at least that's been my experience....

Best of luck,
Andy

[ez-duzit]

Everyone who is in pain wants a silver bullet which will instantly end then pain--a pill, an injection, a surgical procedure, something!

First, quit drinking coffee. Then limit your sugar intake.

[TomFromStLouis]

I agree with those who suggest easier cheaper fixes. Arthritis is most often an autoimmune disorder and there are ways to strengthen your autoimmune system. My wife dealt with her asthma solely by diet after years of drugs effected no cure. It takes effort but ALL of the side effects are positive.

http://nutritionfacts.org/?fwp_search=ar...type=video

BTW it is unlikely you will get this recommendation from any of your doctors. They are not nutrition trained but they are drug and surgery trained so guess what answers they will suggest.

[Phil Thien]

https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

They have an awesome E-Mail newsletter.

[digger]

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.