Wow, I never realized we could have joint replacement surgery in our hands! That's awesome! I hope it brings you relief so you can carry on with your wonderfully active life.

Getting older is a bugger and not for the faint hearted, but it beats the alternative. Sorry to hear about your hands. Do they give you any info on the success rate and the degree of recovery you can expect? I understand that masseuses often have similar problems. Good luck

For some lucky reason, I've always lived by the advice, "All things in moderation." Alas, that didn't work perfectly, because I suffered a broken bone from skiing and an eye injury from tennis. Now, my biggest risk is riding my bicycle.

All that activity you've been doing has kept you attractive and desired. You've done well in that department. Sorry to hear you're wearing out. There's no free lunch.

See a hand specialist or orthopedic surgeon who does hands that's who did mine

Talk to a specialist in joints before any operations.

Thumb joint replacement seems to be the only option if you are in pain and want to continue with your various outdoor activities. The good news is that according to some online medical articles recovery is quick within 3 -5 weeks.

I have to have problems with my hands. Wear the same device as you do, not all the time but when it is really painful. It helps. I also do exercises every day. It helps. My doctors have not suggested any kind of operation. I would get a second opinion if I were you. Good luck and take care.

Seems like there's an opposing side to "use it or lose it." Overuse it and still lose it. I think a lot of health problems can be partially 'nature' (genetic) and some is nurture. I have a fused ankle on one foot. Hiking uphill has been little problem but downhill has been difficult and I found I would turn my fused foot to the side which placed extra pressure on the other knee and by the time I got down the slope there was a lot of pain in that knee. I believe the way to reduce the impact of arthritis is a strong support muscle but obviously that doesn't always work. I too do a lot of weight bearing exercises and once prided myself on the size. I have learned it's far better to lift a lower weight slowly than a heavy weight fast. I am right handed (can one call that a north paw) but tried doing things with my left. Supposedly that helps the brain add neurons and avoid brain issues but one has to go slowly. Learned the hard way. At least we live in a time where things like this can be remedied. Let us know how it is going.

Had surgery on my left hand, successfully, no joint replacement just repair, still going strong

Classic cars are awesome, but sometimes ya gotta replace a ball joint. Just another obstacle, plus good time to teach your daughter to knead

Alternatives:

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2. Woodlock oil
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My left thumb is also painful, and I'm right handed. For me, it is genetic, I remember my paternal grandmother rubbing her left thumb and referring to it as "my damn thumb." I notice pain in that thumb especially when crocheting and knitting, or other hand intensive activities. My right thumb is fine. So far I'm doing OK with it, I take Motrin daily, but that is for more than just the thumb. When I worked Short Term disability claims I had a dental hygenist who filed a claim, she had just had a bilateral thumb joint replacement. Her employer also invested in new equipment for her, ones with bigger handles. I don't remember how long she was out of work. I am hoping I won't need to have any replacements, but time will tell.

grape seed extract seems to help to some extent. I used it to postpone carpal tunnel surgery.

My advice would be to find a hand surgeon that does lots of these procedures each year and has low morbidity numbers. I had an ulnar nerve transposition done a few months ago by an excellent Army hand surgeon.

Good luck with whatever course of action you choose. Please keep us informed; as soon-to-be 67 I have yet to experience what you are going through but who knows.

Oh WOW...I have to wear a brace like that also(but mine is black)...i have severe pain at the Base joint on my left hand and the right hand is giving me trouble also. I knocked the left thumb out of joint when I was about 11 or 12 playing football...the ball hit the tip of my thumb and pushed the whole thumb out of joint at the Base. Stretched the HELL out of the ligaments and it was about 4 or 5 hours before it was popped back in. I should probably see a specialist. It hurts CONSTANTLY now and immobilizes my ability to grip anything that involves the thumb...like my Guitar...Arghhh...glad you posted this...good luck...yours is swollen I see...mine isn't. Are they "replacing" or "repairing"?

I had bi-lateral knee replacement surgery in 2014 and it was basically a100% fix. I’m pain free and back to skiing 30-40 days. I’m a big believer in joint replacement.

You are doing the right thing and movement is the key. Also get a second opinion.

My only advice is follow your doctors advice to keep moving it.
Also fine a hand specialist. My biggest hero is a hand specialist in Grand Rapids Michigan who put my hand together after a farm accident 40 years ago.
Been using it all this time with little pain.

Best of luck…..hope you come through healthy and well, better than ever. Just find the correct treatment that works best for you.