Orthopaedics

Hand Arthritis Patient Feels No Pain for First Time in Years

Severe thumb arthritis sufferer Lily Gold said pain is now a thing of the past thanks to a pair of state-of-the-art procedures and extensive hand therapy at UM Orthopaedics. She shares her experience below.

Lily Gold

For many years, I suffered with severe arthritis, with the thumbs of both hands very badly disfigured. This limited what I could do. I couldn't write for any length of time or open a jar, and the pain disrupted my sleep. While I have suffered with arthritis for many years, it had become progressively worse the past few years.

The joint in my right thumb had been replaced a number of years ago but over the years, this prosthesis had deteriorated to the point where further surgery was required.

Following back surgery, performed by Dr. Daniel Gelb of the University of Maryland Department of Orthopaedics in October 2002, I was referred to Dr. Vincent Pellegrini.

Dr. Pellegrini [chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and a professor of orthopaedics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine] was very thorough in his examination, taking X-rays of both hands. He determined that surgery of the right hand should be performed initially, to be followed at a later time with another procedure on the left. He was exceedingly patient and explained everything in the minutest detail. He didn't pressure me, but he said that surgery should not be delayed.

The reason for selecting the right hand first was that the arthritis had ruptured the tendons and the original prosthesis had cracked and was causing deterioration of the bones. The thumb basal joint arthoplasty procedure -- known as Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition Arthroplasty [a treatment Dr. Pellegrini helped pioneer] -- was performed in January 2003, along with tendon transfers to restore the ruptured tendons.

When the cast was removed a month after surgery, I was not sure I'd ever be able to bend my fingers again, but with therapy twice a week, at the end of two months I was pretty much able to perform most of my tasks as associate dean at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Being right-handed and unable to write during this two-month period was exceedingly frustrating, but with the support of Kelly Wantz, the hand therapist at Kernan Hospital, I persevered.

Never in my experience have I been exposed to such a caring facility as at Kernan Hospital. It's homey and welcoming, and that's how Dr. Pellegrini is. He makes you feel at home. There aren't too many physicians that make you feel that way these days.

During a follow-up visit with Dr. Pellegrini -- at which point he said the right hand was in excellent shape -- I asked about the left hand. Again, there was absolutely no pressure on the part of Dr. Pellegrini and he simply indicated that when I was ready, he would be happy to treat me. So we settled on October 2003.

As with the first surgery, I remained in the hospital overnight with a follow-up appointment scheduled for a month post-surgery, at which point he removed the cast. Then Dr. Pellegrini took more X-rays and issued a prescription for a splint to be worn for a month. A follow-up visit was scheduled, but as before, therapy continued on a twice-weekly basis. Early in January 2004, I returned to Dr. Pellegrini for a further checkup, and was discharged with another appointment scheduled in a year.

Dr. Pellegrini is one of the most caring physicians I have ever known. No question is too "stupid" for him to answer and you never feel that you are a nuisance to him. He is patient, takes as much time as necessary and leaves his patients feeling exceedingly comforted that they made the right decision.

I personally cannot speak highly enough of him, as well as the residents he selects to work with him. From my perspective, these residents are exceedingly lucky to be training with such a dedicated and caring surgeon.

At any opportunity, when friends and colleagues are considering surgery, I recommend Dr. Pellegrini -- as well as the other staff at the Department of Orthopaedics -- as the person to see and the place to go.

This page was last updated on: March 1, 2007.

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