Morz------thanks so much for the Zimmer information----I'm pretty sure that is what my surgeon will be using----- We didn't learn too much today---It was basically just a talk about what to expect after surgery ---- each case is different so the instructions were pretty general. Carla---I remember when you had your hip done------As I recall you didn't have any problems. Are you still OK ?? My surgery date is Sept. 17------- I've been told that most people who have hip replacement usually need the other hip done. However I have a friend who had THR a few years before I did and so far she has no pain in the other hip---- She is 81 and looks about 60------and moves great. Hopefully this will be a "piece of cake"----LOL I would just as soon never go in a hospital but thank goodness they have all these surgeries ( I had successful back surgery in Nov 2005 ) or I would be in a wheelchair ----- Take Care, Florence

Oh YES....I've had two triggers. I'm now 61, had the triggers about five years ago and these were the very first health problems since having my tonsils out as a kid. The first trigger was on my ring finger and developed from keeping a tight ring on 24/7 and various gardening chores over the years. Went to PT where they created a four week treatment of wearing a splint continuously (comfortable and waterproof) and administering twelve courses of iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is where cortisone is pumped through the skin with a 9-volt battery on the site of the trigger to reduce the internal swelling. Sounds ridiculous, so if you google it you'll have a more credible explanation. Anyway, it worked like a charm on the ring finger. My second trigger was like yours, on the thumb, very painful and much worse than the first. This time had to use the big guns and went to an orthopedist, specializing in hand, arm, shoulder problems. He gave me a cortizone shot in the base of the thumb (ouch) which did not work at all. So I decided apprehensively on the surgery. What a huge success! It was only slightly painful afterwards but I did keep it wrapped and in a protective position as recommended and did not abuse it as I was determined to have it heal properly. They also gave me a little silicone patch to keep on the scar for better healing and less keloid scarring. Again, sounds ridiculous, but it worked. I still do a lot of gardening but have learned how to use the hands so as not to bring the triggering back on any fingers. No gripping of large heavy objects, no hanging buckets of water from the fingers, to pulling and yanking with the fingers. I also still needlepoint daily and, although stitching is repetitive, it is gentle. A few months ago we helped my mother and aunt move and I could tell that this activity over a long time could have produced more triggers on my fingers. So from one who goes to a doctor infrequently and reluctantly, I am completely happy with the results. As far as your surgery, here's wishing you good luck. Please give your thumb every opportunity to heal properly and please relearn some daily tasks to prevent more triggers. My best wishes....

ALLEUIA,this is the first i've been able to get on here in several days,since i posted that question about the security alert.After i posted that,i could never get back here til now.I was having severe withdrawl symptoms!!LOL Anyway,i need to have knee surgery,and have needed it for the past few years.Dr has suggested that i wait awhile as it really doesn't last for the rest of your life.So i have done that,but am seriously considering having it done this spring.I too have arthritis in my knees,and i'll be 70 in March. My ds had it maybe 5 years ago,but his knees were worse than mine due to motorcycle/dirtbike racing.He got the knees from a cadaver and is doing very well.His recovery was super fast,He had it done on a thursday and went back to work on Monday,at first in a wheel chair for a couple days,then on crutches.He never went to rehab,instead he had some contraption set up in his bedroom at home as he told his dr,i have a businees to run,and don't have time to be running to someplace for therapy,so they got him set up and he did very well.Now you would never know he had knee problems. My sons dr and my dr both told me i should start exercising my legs now to get them strong before the surgery as that will make the recovery shorter and less painful.So ds is going to bring me his stationary bike and set it up in my sewing room.Yipee!! Not,LOL Kathi

My daughter had the surgery her senior year in high school after band was over for the year. We decided that she might as well have it while she still was on our insurance. She had pins thru her toe to hold it in place and it looked ugly! She just called a while ago to say she went back to the doctor and has to have something done again because she has limited movement and pain. She is 25 now. I thought it didn't look much different after she had it done, but she said there was a difference. She was on crutches for a few weeks. Sorry, another second hand opinion.