Anna Stiles, 58, works full-time teaching pottery in her home studio in Sherborne. When her arthritis took hold in her thumb joints, her work was becoming impossible - and even opening a bag of crisps became agony. She said: "I’ve struggled for years with arthritis in various parts of my body, but can honestly say that the pain in my thumbs was seriously impeding my life the most, and daily tasks became an agonising experience.
"I couldn’t even pop a pill out of the blister pack for pain relief as I couldn’t pinch or push my thumbs without searing pain. Instead I had to cut the pills out with a pair of scissors. I’d also had to invest in various tools to open jars and driving had become almost impossible.
" Anna Stiles' new thumbs have allowed her to get back in the studio to make pottery (Image: Supplied) After having both of her thumb joints replaced with a new type of joint implant surgery, Anna has not looked back and says that the operations have changed her life immeasurably. She added: “The surgery really is life changing. It’s absolutely brilliant.
“My operation went really well and almost immediately I could feel my pain and range of movements improving no end. "I am back to teaching and throwing clay pots. My thumbs look normal with minimal scarring and my range of joint movement is better than ever since there is no pain at all.
" Dr Alison Edwards (Image: Supplied) Leading consultant, orthopaedic surgeon Alison Edwards, who specialises in hand surgerie.