title: Long-term outcome of nonsurgically treated patients with wrist pain and a normal arthrogram.
abstract: A series of 52 patients who had been treated nonsurgically for wrist pain after an inconclusive physical examination, normal standard radiographs, and a negative radiocarpal arthrogram result were surveyed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) instruments after a minimum of 2 years (average, 6.1 years). Forty-two patients (81%) responded to the survey. Average duration of symptoms before the initial evaluation was 13 months. At follow-up evaluation, mean SF-12 score was 50 (national mean, 50). Mean DASH score was 17 compared with 2 for a control group of 60 people. Sixty-four percent of patients reported improvement, 19% were unchanged, and 17% were worse since the initial evaluation. Two patients were receiving disability benefits. Duration of symptoms >12 months was associated with a worse outcome. These results show that patients with wrist pain but without a diagnosis by these evaluation methods often have persistent symptoms after nonsurgical treatment, but the symptoms are usually mild and improve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Jay C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*