Understanding Thumb Joint Fusion for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question
Dear Sirs I have suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis for many years and am now 74 years old, at the beginning of the year I found I couldnt bend my top joint of my left hand thumb, so therefore couldnt pick items up,after see a Orthapeadic Surgeon his suggestion is to Fuse my thumb into a bent position so that the end of my thumb will be able to engage my fingers. Are you able to give me any information regarding this procedure ? , many thanks

Answer
I don't know much about the fusion procedure... that is a hand specialist thing and I haven't seen it in a finger.   But, common sense wise... I would put a splint on it that prevents movement and see if it interferes with your daily activities... because once done, that becomes a permanent non moving joint..... so make sure you can make due with no movement there.... hope this helps.