Thumbs up for new innovative surgery

AN INNOVATIVE hand surgery introduced at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital is giving a new lease on life to patients who had all but abandoned hope of living a life free of debilitating hand pain.

This type of thumb-joint replacement surgery is a first for Ireland, and was introduced in Croom by orthopaedic surgeon Johan van der Stok.

The procedure, pioneered in France and used across Europe and the UK, involves replacement of the affected joint with a ball-and-socket implant, a mini version of the implants used for hip replacement for many years. Almost 40 patients have gone through the procedure in the past year.

For those who, prior to introduction of the procedure at Croom, were consigned to either painful trapeziectomy surgery, or years of pain management, injections, splints and other therapies, the surgery has placed them on the path to recovery within weeks.

Catherine Doherty from Adare, had been suffering hand pain for years, and all but given up on ever finding a solution before Mr van der Stok brought the procedure to the Mid-West.

Catherine underwent the surgery for both thumbs, as the problem typically afflicts both hands. A third of Mr van der Stok’s patients have opted to have the second thumb treated. Due to the short recovery time, the second procedure can be performed three months after the first.

Catherine explained: “I’d previously had carpel tunnel surgery for my wrist, and within about two years I was getting pain in my thumbs that got worse and worse, to the point where I could hardly hold my hairdryer, or peel potatoes or sweep the floor, or things like using the gearstick in the car.

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“Eventually I went to the GP and said, I just can’t go on like this. So she sent me to Mr van der Stok and my life has just turned around. I had the first surgery done in August 2023, and the second one three months later. It was very simple, and not painful, and I would say I was well on the road to recovery within weeks, and after that, it’s just exercising it and being careful with it.”

Catherine continued: “I call them my ‘false thumbs’, and show them to everybody. The surgery itself is so neat, with hardly any scar, and the aftercare you get from Mr van der Stok is absolutely brilliant, with a full year of appointments where they check on you, give you exercises, and chart your strength and progress.”

Mr van der Stok explained: “If the thumb joint is the cause of pain in the hand, the patient is in a very tight corner. Pain injections or splints will assist, but mostly only temporarily. Everyday tasks become very sore.

“The difficulty is that you always use the thumb; no other finger can compensate. This is a day procedure, with the patient going home in a soft dressing, and perhaps some painkillers will be needed for the first two or three days.

“You’ll be able to use the hand for light activity almost immediately for the first six weeks, and after that you’re free to build up the strength.”

Having completed orthopaedic specialist training in the Netherlands in 2020, Mr van der Stok specialised in hand surgery and knee arthroplasty through fellowship training in Ireland.

He has been involved in the training of his peers nationally, and he predicts that within the next five to 10 years the procedure will be available everywhere.

“I am delighted to work in Croom, where I am surrounded by an amazing team of staff. The entire team have helped to make this new treatment available for our patients here in the Mid-West region, and I am very proud of that,” added Mr van der Stok.