No, but I have had ulnar nerve transposition surgery on both elbows.
April 30
Yes, some myRAteam members have had surgery for hand deformities related to RA, including ulnar deviation. One myRAteam member shared their experience with a joint fusion surgery on their thumb, saying they were very pleased with the outcome, though they did lose some joint flexibility and still had weak fine-motor strength Show Full Answer
Yes, some myRAteam members have had surgery for hand deformities related to RA, including ulnar deviation. One myRAteam member shared their experience with a joint fusion surgery on their thumb, saying they were very pleased with the outcome, though they did lose some joint flexibility and still had weak fine-motor strength even after physical therapy.
It's worth knowing that surgery for ulnar deviation comes with important considerations:
- It can help prevent further deformity and relieve pain
- It may limit mobility after recovery
- Untreated RA can continue to cause further deformity even after surgery
- Recovery often involves physical therapy to regain strength Before considering surgery, there are also non-surgical options worth discussing with a rheumatologist:
- Splints β provide support and compression to affected joints
- Physical and occupational therapy β helps improve strength and range of motion
- Pain management β ice, heat, or over-the-counter pain relievers
- Joint protection techniques β adapting daily activities to reduce stress on joints
- TENS therapy β low-voltage electrical impulses to help manage pain
Always talk to your rheumatologist about what approach is best for your specific situation, as everyone's experience with ulnar deviation can be different.
April 26