throttle hand surgery
12-25-2009 | 03:25 PM
#1
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From: Lincoln,
CA
throttle hand surgery
Hey out there, Happy Holiday to all. I have a very important question to throw out to our vast membership and fellow RC flyers. I have been flying for almost 20 years recently needed to have cmc arthritas surgery of the left thumb. This proceedure is where they remove the bone that supports the thumb bottom. Well surgery was 11/3 and I am still swollen and numb in the thumb area. I am getting concerned that this feeling might not return thus will most likely effect my flying days. Has anyone out there had the proceedure done that can give me info and encouragement. Mighty grateful. Happy flying new year to all.
rpaul flyer.
rpaul flyer.
12-25-2009 | 03:41 PM
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From: Oroville (Molson),
WA
RE: throttle hand surgery
I haven't had that surgery however, more than twenty years ago i lost all feeling in my left hand due to an accident. It took a while but you learn to over come the numbness fairly quickly.
Visibly watch what you are doing with the thumb and you will overcome any potential problems.
Good Luck!
Visibly watch what you are doing with the thumb and you will overcome any potential problems.
Good Luck!
12-25-2009 | 03:45 PM
#3
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RE: throttle hand surgery
Don't worry about it. Even if the thumb lets you down you can learn to use your index finger and thumb like lots of precision flyers do on purpose. You hold the stick between index finger and thumb. I do it on both sides.
I buddy box a guy who has arthritis in everything. I think he even has arthritis in his hair. Don't sweat losing a bit of touch in one finger. Guys with way greater challenges fly all the time.
Take inspiration from those guys. And good thing is you've got an excellent motivation to not let your challenge get the better of ya'.
I buddy box a guy who has arthritis in everything. I think he even has arthritis in his hair. Don't sweat losing a bit of touch in one finger. Guys with way greater challenges fly all the time.
Take inspiration from those guys. And good thing is you've got an excellent motivation to not let your challenge get the better of ya'.
12-25-2009 | 04:00 PM
#4
RE: throttle hand surgery
We have a guy in the club that lost his thumb in an acceident and just useses his index and middle finger as da Rock stated above. Don't worry about it, wait untill the swelling goes down as it is proberlly pushing on the nerve.
Cheers
Cheers
12-25-2009 | 05:07 PM
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From: Lincoln,
CA
RE: throttle hand surgery
Thanks for all the encourgement, I'll keep the planes in the air using the index until the thumb and wound heals good. Keey em flyin.
12-25-2009 | 06:02 PM
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From: Rochester,
NY
RE: throttle hand surgery
I can only fly with the "pinch method" holding the sticks with thumb and index finger gives me much finer controll i find. I feel more connected with the plane. Just using my thumbs feels too much like im playing video games 
.
.
12-25-2009 | 06:47 PM
#7
RE: throttle hand surgery
Sorry about the need for surgery espeially since you have lost feeling in your thumb.
Just to let you know, where there is a will there is a way. One of the guys in our club lost his left hand and has a prosthetic hand, the one that looks like a big clamp. He designed a rig that attaches to the transmitter that lets him control both rudder and throttle with his right hand while he holds the transmitter with the prosthetic hand. He flys very well.
I am sure you will develope a method that you will feel comfortable with.
Good luck.
Gary
Just to let you know, where there is a will there is a way. One of the guys in our club lost his left hand and has a prosthetic hand, the one that looks like a big clamp. He designed a rig that attaches to the transmitter that lets him control both rudder and throttle with his right hand while he holds the transmitter with the prosthetic hand. He flys very well.
I am sure you will develope a method that you will feel comfortable with.
Good luck.
Gary
12-25-2009 | 06:52 PM
#8
RE: throttle hand surgery
Our club top R/C pilot had a steel hook on one arm and was the one who test flew most planes. I think if you want it bad enough you will do it.
12-25-2009 | 11:03 PM
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RE: throttle hand surgery
I have worked with many pilots over the years that have had a disability of some sort and if the desire is there you can make it happen. Don't give up, adapt to the situation and continue to enjoy the hobby. I have done many radio mods over the years to fit a specific situation so once again, if you want it it can be done. Good Luck, Dave
12-28-2009 | 01:59 AM
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From: Grants Pass,
OR
RE: throttle hand surgery
I've had a total of 5 surgeries to my right hand and one to my left. I have damaged 1st CMC joints in both hands and have surgery for several other problems. You did not say if you had the joint fused or had an arthroplasty done but I'd assume the latter. In any event I am surprised the joint is not recovered almost 8 weeks out but everyone is different. I can say that I have some numb spots in my hands and fingers from the surgeries. I realise the different "feel' is terribly frustrating but I have to say in my case it took only a few weekends of flying to adapt to the new feel. The decreased strength was a greater bother than the numbness in my own case. Hang in there it should all get better with practice.
12-28-2009 | 12:54 PM
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From: Bend,
OR
RE: throttle hand surgery
rpaulflyer,
Well, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I tried to cut my right hand off in Sept with a chop saw........you could see all the internal workings!!!!!![:'(] Anyway after 3 months in wraps and a splint and a lot of physical therapy, they decided that I needed carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery to facilitate more physical therapy. Well, now that I am ready to fly I still have numbness in my right thumb along with my index, middle and ring finger. I can pick up things and turn door knobs but it is a real chore to button my shirts because of the lack of manual dexterity with the reduced feeling in these fingers. I am going to try to fly as soon as weather permits and I think I'll be able to do it alright with the numbness. I have practiced some in my shop and things seem ok but the proof is in the doing.
Good luck on your condition and hopefully you'll fly.
Andy
Well, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I tried to cut my right hand off in Sept with a chop saw........you could see all the internal workings!!!!!![:'(] Anyway after 3 months in wraps and a splint and a lot of physical therapy, they decided that I needed carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery to facilitate more physical therapy. Well, now that I am ready to fly I still have numbness in my right thumb along with my index, middle and ring finger. I can pick up things and turn door knobs but it is a real chore to button my shirts because of the lack of manual dexterity with the reduced feeling in these fingers. I am going to try to fly as soon as weather permits and I think I'll be able to do it alright with the numbness. I have practiced some in my shop and things seem ok but the proof is in the doing.
Good luck on your condition and hopefully you'll fly.
Andy
12-28-2009 | 01:24 PM
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My Feedback: (-1)
RE: throttle hand surgery
ORIGINAL: oldtyme
rpaulflyer,
Well, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I tried to cut my right hand off in Sept with a chop saw........you could see all the internal workings!!!!!![:'(] Anyway after 3 months in wraps and a splint and a lot of physical therapy, they decided that I needed carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery to facilitate more physical therapy. Well, now that I am ready to fly I still have numbness in my right thumb along with my index, middle and ring finger. I can pick up things and turn door knobs but it is a real chore to button my shirts because of the lack of manual dexterity with the reduced feeling in these fingers. I am going to try to fly as soon as weather permits and I think I'll be able to do it alright with the numbness. I have practiced some in my shop and things seem ok but the proof is in the doing.
Good luck on your condition and hopefully you'll fly.
Andy
rpaulflyer,
Well, sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I tried to cut my right hand off in Sept with a chop saw........you could see all the internal workings!!!!!![:'(] Anyway after 3 months in wraps and a splint and a lot of physical therapy, they decided that I needed carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery to facilitate more physical therapy. Well, now that I am ready to fly I still have numbness in my right thumb along with my index, middle and ring finger. I can pick up things and turn door knobs but it is a real chore to button my shirts because of the lack of manual dexterity with the reduced feeling in these fingers. I am going to try to fly as soon as weather permits and I think I'll be able to do it alright with the numbness. I have practiced some in my shop and things seem ok but the proof is in the doing.
Good luck on your condition and hopefully you'll fly.
Andy
