Trying a comeback to photography after getting a thumb saddle joint prosthesis

[Nordlys]

I'm trying to gradually make a comeback to photography. With a worsening case of rhizarthrosis on both hands that among many other discomforts has prevented me from handling a camera almost since last summer, I recently opted for a thumb saddle joint "Touch" prosthesis on the right hand. Seemed to be the best choice compared with the older methods.
Right now, I can't handle the camera with longer lenses for any length of time as the left hand has not yet been subjected to that same surgery. Grip mode and weight factors. Manual focusing sort of works and fiddling with a polarizing filter occasionally is not too much of a strain.
A month post surgery, things are improving on the right hand already and I'm trying to cope with all the diverse dials and buttons we all have on the right side of our cameras. A lot of gymnastics for the thumb of course which is why I temporarily limit the use of the AF back button
I was wondering if any of you who had the same surgery performed, would be ready to share his/her experience and give me an idea about how long it took to be able to operate a camera properly again. For the time being I am not considering to change gear and for example go for a bridge camera.
I am not supposed to cycle (holding the handlebar and braking hard, shifting gear), or to paddle for weeks or months, so my hope is at least that I can go back to photography in order to vent my frustration somehow.

 

[joayne]

Wow, I had to look that up! I'm wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
That affects so much of your daily living and enjoyment!
Follow Doctors orders, and Don't over do. Healing takes time

 

[Nordlys]

Wow, I had to look that up! I'm wishing you a speedy and complete recovery...

Thanks for these encouraging words.
Having swiftly moved from not even being able to hold a fork, a pen and such like to rather normal life handling of basic objects within two weeks post op aftert getting rid of the spline I remain reasonably optimistic. A first evaluation stage is planned after 6 weeks when ergotherapy can basically move to the next level. The next one should be between 9 and 12 weeks. This is why I would appreciate feedback from photo enthusiasts who went through these recovery stages already. You are perfectly right when you stress the importance of not rushing it. As to the docs, competent as they are, when technically such operations are successful, the quality of life factor becomes secondary as long as you can perform stanard tasks in your daily life. That is also the wish of most people in my generation. So you feel rather sidelined when you are much more active and fitter than many in this age group. Sports medicine specialists tend to ignore that aspect. Hence the importance of getting feedback from people who also had to bypass this hurdle.

 

[paddler4]

I have no experience with that particular problem. However, I have had a number of serious orthopedic surgeries, and my experience was not the same as yours. None of the surgeons I dealt with were unconcerned with quality of life. Quite the contrary: they discussed the pros and cons of surgery partly in terms of quality of life. In one case, I was told explicitly that I could make do without surgery but wouldn't be able to return to all of the activities I was used to. The advice I was given about not rushing it was to avoid reinjuring the areas that were already in bad shape and were injured by the surgery itself. I did in fact reinjure my shoulder after surgery, and it added a month to the total recovery time.

Best of luck with this. I know first-hand how demoralizing it is to lose capabilities one had when younger, even if only temporarily. I recently switched from my R6 II, which I absolutely love--the best camera I have ever owned--to an OM-1 Mark II to save weight. I've reached the point where hauling a bag of FF equipment was increasingly uncomfortable. Never paid attention to it 15 years ago. And I had to give up one hobby, white water kayaking, entirely after a serious injury and back surgery. That requires rolling the boat, which I can no longer safely do because of the surgery.

 

[Nordlys]

I have no experience with that particular problem. However, I have had a number of serious orthopedic surgeries, and my experience was not the same as yours.

Nice to get feedback from a fellow paddler with a much wider surgical experience as mine. I am a seakayaker, but in this case we face similar problems.

I have to bring a nuance in what I wrote about the surgeons I dealt with. It is not so much that they neglect the quality of life factor as such. It is rather that mine have a much narrower view of what it entails (opening a bottle, using scissors or a screwdriver, carrying stuff, etc...). I was perfectly pleased with the way they performed the op. From them I got all these details I already had collected from serious medical websites before. When we first met, they were pleased to hear that they would not have to go to great lengths to convince me and helped me determine when would be best to perform the same on the left hand. But when it came to specifics about sports activities like ours they referred me back to my orthopedists (a trio dealing mostly with sports medicine who deal primarily with younger people) and my ergotherapist (a hand specialist with a limited knowledge of the demands we have in our sports).

As to photography I can only rely on people like you who have first hand experience what that hobby implies. Up to now there is some frustration and impatience of course, but I remain optimistic. With the series of difficulties you went through I would probably would have experienced more difficulties to come to terms with the idea that some activities would be out of my reach.

I suppose I'll stick to the R6 II and very few lenses for the time being. If needed will adapt the way I use them. I'll see in how far I have to limit some aspects of my wildlife photography. No birds in flight for example. After all hiking also remains a great activity as long as legs and back can do the job. It is even good physical and mental therapy now as I spend a minimum of two hours a day in the forest walking at a brisk pace up and down the many hills, but without a camera.

Thanks for your insights and your good wishes.

 

[paddler4]

I am a seakayaker, but in this case we face similar problems.

I did both. I gave up whitewater unprompted after the surgery, but as you know, on rare occasions, you need to roll even when sea kayaking. It was in that context that I asked. But I generally stick with easy water now, not open ocean, so I don't worry.

One last thought that might be relevant to you: while I love the reduced weight of the OM-1--for what I carry, about a 50% reduction--I find the smaller body less ergonomically friendly. My old 5D IV fit my hand perfectly. The slightly smaller R6 II is still very good. But the OM is small for my hands, which might create problems for someone with thumb mobility problems.

Good luck.

 

[Nordlys]

I've been seekayaking for over 50 years. Had to give up rolling years ago although I never had to use the technique at sea (Skaggerak mostly). Alternative methods proved not that bad for many friends of mine. ready to apply these if required at any rate.

The Olympus line is great but relatively costly. Bought some Canons from Olympus converts over the years. If the time comes when I'm confronted with weight problems I could,opt for one, but I also much prefer to hold grip on Canon bodies as i have rather large hands.