Pottery teacher, Anna Stiles, 58, from Sherborne, Dorset, relies on her thumbs to help pay the bills, as she works full-time teaching pottery in her home studio. When her arthritis took hold in her thumb joints, her work was becoming impossible and even opening a bag of crisps became agony. After having both of her thumb joints replaced with a new type of joint implant surgery, Anna has not looked back and says that the operations have changed her life immeasurably.
“Following my operations, there’s nothing I can’t do. I’m back to teaching an throwing clay pots. My thumbs look normal and my range of joint movement is better than ever.”
Anna, thumb replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
“I’ve struggled for years with arthritis in various parts of my body, but can honestly say that the pain in my thumbs was seriously impeding my life the most, and daily tasks became an agonising experience. I couldn’t even pop a pill out of the blister pack for pain relief as I couldn’t pinch or push my thumbs without searing pain. Instead I had to cut the pills out with a pair of scissors. I’d also had to invest in various tools to open jars and driving had become almost impossible.
“I first heard of the new thumb joint replacement surgery through my physio based in Somerset. He had heard of Alison Edwards, the specialist hand surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet, and suggested I see my GP for a referral to see her.
“Constant pain was leaving me feeling exhausted. It’s like having the worst toothache type pain in your thumbs all the time.”
Anna, thumb replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
“Fortunately, I was an ideal candidate for the surgery and was booked in quickly on the NHS for both of my thumbs to be scanned and assessed. When I met Alison, I knew I had made the right decision. I’d explained how bad my thumbs had become and how the tingling pain was starting to affect other fingers, and how constant pain was leaving me feeling exhausted. It’s like having the worst toothache type pain in your thumbs all the time. Alison showed me the replacement joint which was like a little hinge, and I felt really reassured that this was the right surgery for me.
“My operation went really well and almost immediately I could feel my pain and range of movements improving no end. Seven weeks later I had my right thumb joint replaced too by Alison. Now there is nothing I can’t do. I am back to teaching and throwing clay pots. My thumbs look normal with minimal scarring and my range of joint movement is better than ever since there is no pain at all. I didn’t require physio which was a blessing and have felt instantly relieved. I’ve recommended the surgery to other people I know – especially women – who tell me their joints have become affected during the menopause. I was lucky to have my treatment on the NHS but if I’d had to pay it would be worth every penny. The change in my life is marvellous and I don’t have to worry anymore about not being able to teach. My career is definitely back on track!”
