Hi Bobert, had the operation 2010, but I went for getting the joint fixed in position with a screw. The surgeon recommended that because of my job, heavy engineering, fitting and machining, incidently, I reckon that was the cause. I worked for years in a machine shop, swinging on chuck keys and spanners on big machines, the chuck key bar passed under that joint on my left hand, and the pressure seemed to distort the CMC joint. The surgeon told me the complaint is not uncommon among surgeons because using forceps puts pressure on that joint.
The surgery is a complete success, I play bagpipes, whistle and a bit of guitar and banjo, and I have complete mobility in that thumb, can even stretch to touch the little finger on the same hand, and is pain free even after a hard day on the tools.
Check out how long the operation using the tendon lasts under heavy use, my surgeon said "fine for knitting, not for fitting"