Thumb pain caused by a common condition called rhizarthrosis, or thumb arthritis, can make everyday tasks difficult. This article explores a unique approach to thumb surgery called WALANT (wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet), where patients stay awake during their surgery, and shares the results of a recent study.
Key takeaways:
- WALANT allows thumb surgery to be done without general anesthesia or a tourniquet (tight band around your arm).
- Patients report high satisfaction and comfort during WALANT surgery.
- The technique may help your recovery by letting surgeons and patients work together during surgery.
In this article
What is WALANT?
WALANT stands for wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet. Instead of putting you to sleep with general anesthesia, doctors use numbing medicine (local anesthesia) directly in the hand. It’s injected in a few specific spots around the thumb about 20–25 minutes before the surgery starts. This numbing medicine also contains a substance that temporarily narrows blood vessels so the surgeon has a clear view while operating.
You stay awake through the procedure but don’t feel pain. No tourniquets or heavy sedation are needed, which makes recovery smoother for some people.
What does the study say?
A team of doctors tested WALANT in thumb surgeries for 16 cases involving 14 patients, all women around 65 years old. They performed three types of procedures under WALANT:
- Thumb joint replacements using a prosthetic implant.
- Trapeziectomy – a surgery that removes a small painful bone in the thumb – combined with a method to stabilize the thumb called suspensionplasty.
- Revision surgeries for previous thumb procedures.
Here’s what they found:
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Number of procedures | 16 |
| Average surgery time | 73 minutes |
| Complications | None |
| Patient satisfaction | 9/10 |
| Patients willing to choose WALANT for future surgery | 100% |
While nearly all patients tolerated the surgery well, only one person switched to regular anesthesia due to feeling anxious during the procedure.
How does patient participation help?
Here’s where things get exciting! Under WALANT, you can actively take part in your surgery. When the doctor finishes the operation, you might be asked to move your thumb right away. Why? It shows the doctor how well everything works while you’re still in the room. Engaging like this during surgery helps you understand your thumb’s stability, and it might even make your recovery smoother.
The researchers noticed that keeping patients informed and calm during surgery helps them feel comfortable. In fact, every patient in the study said they’d be happy to have surgery this way again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rhizarthrosis?
It’s arthritis in the thumb joint. This can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain, especially when using your thumb a lot.
Does surgery hurt if I stay awake?
No, the local anesthesia numbs the area so you don’t feel pain.
What happens if WALANT doesn’t work for me?
If you feel too anxious or uncomfortable, the surgeon can switch to regular anesthesia.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery, but WALANT might make it easier for some people because you’re involved in the process.
Thinking of thumb surgery? Here’s your next step.
WALANT offers thumb surgery without typical anesthesia or tourniquets with great results and happy patients. It also lets you take part in your care, setting a unique path for post-surgery recovery.
If thumb pain is affecting your life, consider talking to your doctor about how WALANT could help. You can explore more educational articles here about thumb conditions and treatments to feel even better informed.
Disclaimer
This article simplifies research to help you understand. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.
Article reference
Castelo, F.; Santos, C.; Costa, B.; Sousa, R.; Ricardo, R.; Batista, P.; Ribeiro, D. (2023). Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet for Rhizarthrosis Surgery: Technique and Experience for 16 Consecutive Cases. Link to study.