Studies on long-term patient-reported outcomes after open surgery for triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are scarce. Surgeons and patients would benefit from self-reported outcome data on pain, ...function, complications, and satisfaction after this surgery to enhance shared decision-making. The aim of this study is to determine the long-term outcome of adults who had open surgery for the TFCC.
A prospective cohort study that included patients with open surgery for the TFCC between December 2011 and September 2015. In September 2020, we sent these patients an additional follow-up questionnaire, including the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), to score satisfaction, complications, pain, and function.
A total of 113 patients were included in the analysis. At ≥ 60 months after an open TFCC reinsertion, we found a mean PRWE total score of 19 (SD 21), a mean PRWE pain score of 11 (SD 11), and a PRWE function score of 9 (SD 10). The percentage of patients obtaining minimum clinically important difference rose from 77% at 12 months to 83% at more than 60 months (p < 0.001). Patients reported fewer complications than surgeons, and overall complication rate was low.
Outcomes of patient-reported pain, function scores, and satisfaction are improved five years after open surgery for the TFCC. Cite this article:
2021;2(11):981-987.
BACKGROUND:Although the efficacy of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injections has been demonstrated by randomized clinical trials, the relative effectiveness of CCH remains uncertain. Our ...aim was to compare the outcomes of CCH with those of percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA) in daily clinical practice.
METHODS:We analyzed data from patients undergoing PNA or CCH between 2011 and 2014 at 7 practice sites in the Netherlands. We examined the degree of improvement in contracture and adverse effects at 6–12 weeks after surgery or the last injection. Additionally, we invited patients to complete the Michigan Hand Questionnaire before and at 6–12 months follow-up. To minimize the risk of bias, we used propensity score matching.
RESULTS:Among 130 matched patients (93% Tubiana I or II) undergoing PNA (n = 46) and CCH (n = 84), improvement in contracture was similar26 degrees (65% improvement from baseline) for PNA versus 31 degrees (71%) for CCH for affected metacarpophalangeal joints (P = 0.163). This was 16 degrees (50% improvement) versus 17 degrees (42%) for affected proximal interphalangeal joints (P = 0.395), respectively. No serious adverse effects occurred in either of the 2 treatment groups. Of the mild adverse effects, only skin fissures and sensory disturbances were seen in both groups. Through 1-year follow-up, patients reported similar improvements in the overall Michigan Hand Questionnaire score (PNA 5.3 points versus CCH 4.9 points; P = 0.912).
CONCLUSIONS:In patients with mild contractures (Tubiana I or II), CCH was as effective as PNA in reducing contractures. Both treatments were safe and improved hand function to a similar extent in daily practice.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
Routine measurement of outcome of clinical care is increasingly considered important, but implementation in practice is challenging. This article describes (1) how the authors created and implemented ...a routine outcome measurement cohort of patients with hand and wrist conditions and (2) how these data are used to improve the quality of care and facilitate scientific research. Starting in 2011, routine outcome measurement was implemented at all practice sites (currently 22) of a specialized treatment center for hand and wrist conditions across The Netherlands. The authors developed five "measurement tracks," including measurements administered at predetermined time points covering all hand and wrist disorders and treatments. An online system automatically distributes measurements among patients, which can be accessed by health care professionals. Using this system, the total number of yearly assigned tracks increased up to over 16,500 in 2018, adding up to 85,000 tracks in 52,000 patients in total. All surgeons, therapists, and other staff have direct access to individual patient data and patients have access to their treatment information using a secure patient portal. The data serve as a basis for studies on, among others, comparative effectiveness, prediction modeling, and clinimetric analyses. In conclusion, the authors present the design and successful implementation of a routine outcome measurement system that was made feasible using a highly automated data collection infrastructure, tightly linked to the patient journey and the workflow of health care professionals. The system serves not only as a tool to improve care but also as a basis for scientific research studies.
Routine measurement of outcome of clinical care is increasingly considered important, but implementation in practice is challenging. This article describes (1) how the authors created and implemented ...a routine outcome measurement cohort of patients with hand and wrist conditions and (2) how these data are used to improve the quality of care and facilitate scientific research. Starting in 2011, routine outcome measurement was implemented at all practice sites (currently 22) of a specialized treatment center for hand and wrist conditions across The Netherlands. The authors developed five “measurement tracks,” including measurements administered at predetermined time points covering all hand and wrist disorders and treatments. An online system automatically distributes measurements among patients, which can be accessed by health care professionals. Using this system, the total number of yearly assigned tracks increased up to over 16,500 in 2018, adding up to 85,000 tracks in 52,000 patients in total. All surgeons, therapists, and other staff have direct access to individual patient data and patients have access to their treatment information using a secure patient portal. The data serve as a basis for studies on, among others, comparative effectiveness, prediction modeling, and clinimetric analyses. In conclusion, the authors present the design and successful implementation of a routine outcome measurement system that was made feasible using a highly automated data collection infrastructure, tightly linked to the patient journey and the workflow of health care professionals. The system serves not only as a tool to improve care but also as a basis for scientific research studies.
Midcarpal instability (MCI) is a disabling condition and treatment options are limited.
Patients with MCI can benefit from an exercise program aiming to improve the strength and coordination of the ...wrist muscles.
Participants improved in hand/wrist function and 78% did not convert to surgery.
Non-invasive treatment should be the primary treatment choice for these patients.
Describing the outcomes of an exercise program on wrist and hand function for patients with midcarpal instability (MCI).
This study has a prospective cohort design. Two hundred and thirteen patients with MCI were included. The intervention was a 3-month exercise program consisting of hand therapy and home exercises. The primary outcome was perceived wrist and hand function evaluated with the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) three months after treatment onset. Secondary outcomes were conversion to surgery, pain, and satisfaction with treatment results.
PRWHE total scores improved from 51 ± 19 (mean ± SD) to 33 ± 24 at 3 months (95% CI: 36-30, p < 0.001). All visual analog scales for pain demonstrated clinically relevant improvements at 6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.001). At 3 months, 81% of the participants would undergo the treatment again. After a median follow-up of 2.8 years, 46 patients (22%) converted to surgery.
We found clinically relevant improvements in hand and wrist function and pain. Most participants would undergo treatment again and 78% of the participants did not convert to surgery. Hence, non-invasive treatment should be the primary treatment choice for patients with MCI.
BACKGROUND:Controversy exists about the relative effectiveness of injectable collagenase (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) and limited fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture. ...The authors compared the effectiveness of both techniques in actual clinical practice.
METHODS:This study evaluated all subjects treated with collagenase clostridium histolyticum or limited fasciectomy for metacarpophalangeal and/or proximal interphalangeal joint contractures between 2011 and 2014 at seven practice sites. The authors compared the degree of residual contracture (active extension deficit), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores, and adverse events at follow-up visits occurring between 6 and 12 weeks after surgery or the last injection with the use of propensity score matching.
RESULTS:In 132 matched subjects who were treated with collagenase (n = 66) or fasciectomy (n = 66), the degree of residual contracture at follow-up for affected metacarpophalangeal joints was not significantly different (13 degrees versus 6 degrees; p = 0.095) and affected proximal interphalangeal joints had significantly worse residual contracture in the collagenase group compared with those in the fasciectomy group (25 degrees versus 15 degrees; p = 0.010). Collagenase subjects experienced fewer serious adverse events than did fasciectomy subjects and reported larger improvements in the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire subscores evaluating satisfaction with hand function, activities of daily living, and work performance.
CONCLUSIONS:This propensity score–matched study showed that collagenase clostridium histolyticum was not significantly different from limited fasciectomy in reducing metacarpophalangeal joint contractures, whereas proximal interphalangeal joint contractures showed slightly better reduction following limited fasciectomy. Collagenase provided a more rapid recovery of hand function than did fasciectomy and was associated with fewer serious adverse events.
CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic, III.
Surgical management of midcarpal instability (MCI), also referred to as carpal instability nondissociative, remains controversial due to limited evidence on different techniques. This study aimed to ...assess and compare differences in patient-reported pain, hand and wrist function, patient satisfaction, range of motion, and return to work in patients with non-traumatic MCI who underwent surgical treatment either through dorsal wrist capsulodesis or three-ligament tenodesis (3LT).
Patients with MCI and persisting complaints after conservative therapy treated with 3LT or dorsal capsulodesis were included. Patients with posttraumatic instability were excluded. Primary endpoints included the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Satisfaction with Treatment Result Questionnaire at 12 months postoperative. All data were retrospectively analyzed.
A total of 91 patients treated with dorsal capsulodesis and 21 treated with 3LT between December 2011 and December 2019 were included. At twelve months postoperative, both treatment groups reported significant improvements in pain and function scores. However, at three months postoperative, the dorsal capsulodesis group exhibited significantly better outcomes, followed by a greater return to work (72%) compared to the 3LT group (50%). However, the capsulodesis group demonstrated a decreased range of motion at three months which was restored at 12 months postoperative. No significant difference in satisfaction with treatment was observed.
Both 3LT and dorsal capsulodesis demonstrate promising results for addressing non-traumatic MCI. However, considering the quicker recovery and faster return to work associated with dorsal capsulodesis, we recommend favoring capsulodesis over 3LT when both surgical options are deemed suitable for the patient.
III.
We hypothesized that the three-ligament tenodesis (3-LT) procedure is still sufficient - even in scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) cases - to reduce pain and improve wrist function. We compared ...patient-reported outcomes of scapholunate interosseus ligament (SLIL) injury patients with SLAC to SLIL injury patients treated with 3-LT, and then to patients who received proximal row carpectomy (PRC), as a control group.
We included all patients with a traumatic SLIL injury and associated SLAC components treated with 3-LT and completed Patient Reported Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires preoperative and at 12 months follow-up. First, we compared matched patients with SLIL injury and SLIL injury with SLAC, stage 1-3, who received 3-LT. Second, we compared patients who received 3-LT, with patients who underwent PRC, while having SLAC stage 2-3.
We compared 51 patients with SLAC to 95 with SLIL injury who had a 3-LT procedure, and 10 3-LT patients were compared to 18 patients undergoing PRC, given SLAC 2-3. In both analyses, the PRWE scores had significantly improved in all groups, however no significant differences in PRWE were found between 3-LT in SLIL injury and SLIL injury with SLAC, 6.9 points (95% CI -14.92; 1.22, p = 0.096) and between 3-LT and PRC, given SLAC stage 2-3, 15.1 points (not enough power).
There is no difference in PRWE between matched SLIL injury patients with or without degenerative changes treated with a 3-LT. Therefore, the 3-LT procedure seems to be a viable treatment option for patients with early-stage SLAC wrist.
Therapeutic III.
To investigate if shorter immobilization is noninferior to longer immobilization after Weilby procedure for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with propensity score ...matching.
Data collection took place in 16 outpatient clinics for hand surgery and hand therapy.
A total of 131 participants with shorter immobilization and 131 participants with longer immobilization (N=262).
Shorter immobilization (3-5 days plaster cast followed by a thumb spica orthosis including wrist until 4 weeks postoperatively) was compared with longer immobilization (10-14 days plaster cast followed by a thumb spica orthosis including wrist until 6 weeks postoperatively) after Weilby procedure for first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Propensity score matching was used to control for confounders.
Outcomes were pain measured with a visual analog scale and hand function measured with the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire at 3 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were complications, range of motion, grip and pinch strength, satisfaction with treatment, and return to work.
No significant differences were found in visual analog scale pain (effect size, 0.03; 95% confidence interval CI, -0.21 to 0.27) or the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (effect size, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.25) between the groups at 3 months or at 12 months. Furthermore, no differences were found in complication rate or in other secondary outcomes.
In conclusion, shorter immobilization of 3-5 days of a plaster cast after Weilby procedure is equal to longer immobilization for outcomes on pain, hand function, and our secondary outcomes. These results indicate that shorter immobilization is safe and can be recommended, since discomfort of longer immobilization may be prevented and patients may be able to recover sooner, which may lead to reduced loss of productivity. Future studies need to investigate effectiveness of early active and more progressive hand therapy following first carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty.
Initial treatment for symptomatic carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) of the thumb is usually nonsurgical. However, evidence on the effect of a hand orthosis and hand therapy for mid- and ...long-term results is limited, and it is unknown how many patients undergo additional surgical treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the outcome of a hand orthosis and hand therapy for CMC OA in a large cohort study, and to evaluate the conversion rate to surgical treatment.
In this multicenter, prospective cohort study, patients treated with a hand orthosis and hand therapy for primary CMC OA between 2011 and 2014 were included. Pain (visual analog scale) and function (Michigan Hand Questionnaire) were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and at 12 months after the start of treatment. All patients converted to surgery were recorded between 2012 and 2016. Outcome was compared with baseline, and post hoc comparisons were made between patients who were not converted to surgery and patients who were converted to surgery after initially receiving a hand orthosis and hand therapy. Lastly, subgroup analysis was performed based on baseline pain levels.
After a mean follow-up of 2.2 ± 0.9 years, 15% of all patients were surgically treated. In the group that was not converted to surgery, pain (visual analog scale) significantly improved from 49 ± 20 at baseline to 36 ± 24 at 12 months. The Michigan Hand Questionnaire score was essentially unchanged from 65 ± 15 at baseline to 69 ± 10 at 12 months. Post hoc testing showed that improvement in pain was only significant between baseline and 6 weeks, and thereafter stabilized until 1 year after the start of treatment. The group that converted to surgery did not show any improvement in pain and function at follow-up.
In this cohort of patients with thumb CMC OA who underwent hand therapy including an orthosis, 15% of the patients underwent additional surgical treatment. The patients (85%) who did not undergo surgery improved in pain and function, although only improvements in pain were significant and clinically relevant. Most improvement was seen in the first 6 weeks and stabilized till 1 year after the start of treatment.
Therapeutic II.
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