“I can finally start playing golf again“
Laurence Auriol
68 years old, underwent surgery on the right thumb
People suffering from basal joint arthritis often find that the pain in their thumbs, which makes it impossible to perform normal day-to-day hand movements, completely disrupts their lives. That was the case with Laurence, a former ophthalmologist from the Paris region with a passionate interest in sport. She had basal joint arthritis in both hands. She had been unable to do anything about it whilst still practising, but decided to have surgery on both hands after retiring. Laurence told us about her experiences – the pain she had been suffering, having the operation performed and returning to an active life.
Not immediately apparent, but very disabling
« I kept going for as long as I could… but in the end I just couldn’t even hold the club. »
There was little visible deformity in Laurence’s thumbs, but she really struggled with certain tasks and had to grit her teeth more and more to peel vegetables, do up buttons, brush her teeth or sew. She found that she was even using her left hand to unlock the door.
Most of the limitations involved tasks requiring pinching movements, so essential in day-to-day life. The discomfort started disrupting her leisure time activities and it ultimately got so bad that she had to stop one of her passions: golf.
Now that she was retired, though, she could have the operation without worrying about work
She had been suffering from pain for a number of years. But as a doctor, Laurence felt that she could not stop working to have the treatment performed. Retirement meant that she had the time to consult a rheumatologist, who sent her off for an X-ray, which revealed basal joint arthritis in both thumbs. She was then referred to hand surgeon Dr Sandrine Maillot, practising in Meudon-la-Forêt.
Laurence was aware of the challenges but was completely confident in the skills of the medical staff and had no sense of concern:
“Dr Maillot, the surgeon, simply said to me: “Which hand shall we operate on first then?” That was great – simple and straight to the point. It put me at ease straightaway.“
Two operations with good recovery
Laurence had both thumbs operated on a year and a half apart. The second operation was performed on 9 April.
Recovery went smoothly with her first hand: one week of anti-inflammatories for gradually resuming day-to-day hand movements and tasks, without supervised physiotherapy. She did her own physio at home, gently resuming day-to-day movements.
She now has full mobility again in her first hand. Her strength in that hand is not yet completely back to normal, but it is gradually progressing. Taking up golf again was a significant milestone in the process.
Smooth progress, despite really putting her thumb to the test
The whole treatment process was relatively straightforward: consultation with a rheumatologist, an X-ray and referral to a hand surgeon. In her case she did not involve her GP, which is fine.
Just after her second operation, though, she had a fall, which could have ruined everything. She landed right on the thumb that had been operated on, but, to her amazement, the joint replacement did not move.
« It gave me a real sense of reassurance. It really proved to me that the operation had been performed well. »
Living life to the fullest, despite basal joint arthritis
Laurence has now resumed an active, fulfilling life. Hiking, paddle-boarding, golf – some of Laurence’s favourite hobbies and activities and now she can take part in them again, thanks to specially adapted treatment and careful recovery.
Her story shows that even if you opt for surgery, you can stay active, without giving up the things that you enjoy.
