[Jeff Higgins]

My deepest sympathies. I've had surgeries on both hands, two on one and one on the other. All as the result of the motorcycle wreck my wife and I suffered six years ago. I now have rheumatoid arthritis developing in both hands. Currently treating with medication, so we will see how that goes.

The first medication I was prescribed, methotrexate, is actually a chemo therapy drug, but administered in much smaller doses. This stuff is best avoided - at all costs. My doctor indicated "some people might feel some mild side affects"... Bowl sheet - the mood altering properties of this drug left me in a damn near suicidal state of depression, as it does with virtually everyone to whom it is prescribed. Apparently, however, it's a "gate" through which some insurance companies demand we pass, showing an intolerance to it, before more effective (and far more expensive) medication without that nasty side affect will be approved.

I know that has nothing to do with surgery, but I thought I would offer it up as a cautionary tale, in case treating some of your arthritis might involve medication. Have a very frank discussion with any doctor who wants to put you on this stuff. Everyone I have spoken with about the side affects had the same experience, from merely "very bad" to "damn near suicidal".