Rehabilitation protocol after suspension arthroplasty of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION

When conservative modalities and therapies fail to control symptoms of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, surgery may be indicated.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To present a rehabilitation protocol used in a series of patient cases after suspension arthroplasty and to evaluate outcomes.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with CMC osteoarthritis were treated by the same arthroplasty technique and the same rehabilitation program. Patients were evaluated before and 12th week after surgery, and at the last follow-up using a visual analog scale; the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; strength measurements; range of motion evaluations; and radiographic assessment.

RESULTS

Average follow-up period was 31.5 months. There was a decreasing trend in both subjective scores during follow-ups (p=0.0001). Thirty-three percent and 30% improvements on radial and palmar abductions, respectively, and 29% improvement on pinch strengths were recorded at the final follow-up. Postoperative grip improvement was not preserved at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate a high degree of patient satisfaction suggesting the efficacy of this surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocol.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.