How ONS Helped Cindy Become Pain-Free In Her Thumb - Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists

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David Wei, MD, MS

David Wei, MD, MS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained hand, wrist, and elbow surgeon at Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS).

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The Injury

Cindy is a licensed massage therapist with a longstanding history of using her hands for manual therapies on her patients. Over time, she developed an overuse injury in her right thumb, resulting in pain with movement. In addition to being a massage therapist, Cindy is an avid athlete and enjoys gardening – her hands are integral to her lifestyle.

“About three years ago, I sought out Dr. David Wei, hand and upper extremity surgeon at Orthopedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, for insight. He educated me extraordinarily well on my options and I started by using massage, heat, ice, and stretching ultimately choosing to get cortisone injections,” explained Cindy.

The first injection was very successful and provided pain relief for nearly a year. Cindy was appreciative that Dr. Wei didn’t just rush to surgery. The cortisone injections bought her some time however eventually the window of pain relief got shorter between injections.

The Solution

Last year, she told Dr. Wei that she was ready to start discussing a surgical solution.

“He was patient with me and was very conservative, which I appreciated,” said Cindy, who had her last cortisone injection in December 2025 and scheduled her surgery for March 2026.

Dr. Wei performed a CMC arthroplasty on her right thumb at the Stamford ASC, a specialized surgery center exclusively for ONS patients.

“I was nervous but felt comforted by Dr. Wei leading up to the day. All of my questions were answered – I knew I had the right doctor,” explained Cindy. “I felt supported from the minute I walked through the doors at the ASC. Everyone, from the anesthesiologist to the post-surgical nurse, made me feel comfortable throughout the day.”

The Results

The surgery was a success – everything went smoothly. Seven weeks out from surgery, Cindy is now in a customized splint & is progressing in Occupational Therapy.

“The post-operative regimen that Dr. Wei and his team put in place for me was incredibly helpful, and I followed it to a T, so my pain was well-managed.”

With her hand in a splint, Cindy is able to use her other fingers as she recovers, which allows her much more mobility compared to being completely casted.

With Occupational Therapy in place, Cindy plans to return to work as a trainer in a rehabilitative setting using her massage therapy skills when she’s fully recovered.

In the Surgeon’s Words

“It’s imperative to understand a patient’s lifestyle to create the most appropriate treatment plan to get them back to their daily life,” said Dr. Wei. “In Cindy’s case, her hands are integral to her profession, so my goal was not only to relieve pain but also increase mobility to set her up for success in her future endeavors.”

From the Patient’s Perspective

“Going into surgery, I felt very well prepared thanks to Dr. Wei. That’s half of the battle,” recalled Cindy. “It’s important for patients to be empowered with knowledge going in and being supported by their physician and others who have gone through it. Knowledge really is power and is so beneficial to healing.”

To Cindy, having her concerns addressed and knowing exactly what to expect after surgery was vitally important.

“Dr. Wei respected what I did for a living and really listened to me. I felt like I was heard and that I could ask any question – nothing was off limits.