Observational studyBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Comparison of three different postoperative treatment options after interposition arthroplasty of the thumb, an observational study.
Observational study in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIn rhizarthrosis the saddle joint of the thumb is affected. Occupational therapy after interposition arthroplasty is of particular importance and a key factor for a successful outcome. Orthosis use and/or the timeline of using the orthosis is still under debate. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: In patients with rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty, what is the effect of an orthotic thumb device compared with no orthotic thumb device during accompanying occupational therapy? In patients with rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty, what is the effect of a long orthotic thumb device compared with a short orthotic thumb device during accompanying occupational therapy?
methodsForty-two patients with confirmed symptomatic rhizarthrosis after interposition arthroplasty by Weilby and 2 weeks cast fixation were randomly assigned to one of the following study arms: Group I: long orthotic thumb device, Group II: short orthotic thumb device, Group III without orthotic thumb device for 4 weeks, accompanied by 12 weeks postoperative occupational therapy. After 6 and 12 weeks, VAS-Pain-Score, Quick-DASH, pinch-and grip-strength, and ROM were evaluated.
resultsAll groups improved in their hand functions 12 weeks after surgery. The VAS-pain-score improved by 5 points. The Quick-DASH score halved for patients with short or no orthotic thumb device. Patients with the short orthotic thumb device showed the highest rate of improvement (pain, QuickDASH, mobility of the carpometacarpal joint in abduction, interphalangeal joint mobility, and thumb function) 12 weeks after surgery, followed by the non-orthotic thumb device-group. Non-orthotic thumb device patients did not show higher pain levels. Patients of the long orthotic thumb device-group showed more impairment of their function (pain, grip- and pinch strength compared to the other groups, 12 weeks after surgery).
conclusionAfter interposition arthroplasty of the thumb followed by two weeks cast fixation, a thermoplastic short orthotic thumb device should be used. The short orthotic thumb device only restricts motion of the operated first carpometacarpal joint, leaving all other joints of the thumb moveable for 4 weeks. This recommendation is based on the results obtained 12 weeks after surgery.
trial registrationNot applicable because this is the publication following a thesis in Austria. At the time of the start of the study, there was no need for registration for such studies in Austria.
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