title: Metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty from the patient's perspective.
abstract: The results of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty have been measured by objective measures and, to a lesser extent, subjective measures. The aim of this study was to understand patients' goals for MCP arthroplasty and the changes that occurred for them after surgery. Twenty of 24 patients reported that their MCP arthroplasty was successful because their function, pain, or hand appearance improved after the surgery. Functional changes related to how an activity was performed rather than new abilities being enabled by the surgery. There are many qualities to changes in pain and function, which closed-ended questions would not capture. Patients may not have attempted all normal activities within the first four postoperative months; therefore, functional outcomes must be measured after four months. Concurrent surgical, pharmaceutical, and therapy interventions also change patients' function, making the exact effects of the MCP arthroplasty unclear.
authors: The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia. mwestropp@picknowl.com.au
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Massy-Westropp
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Massy-Westropp
authors: Wayne
authors: W
authors: Rankin
authors: Jegan
authors: J
authors: Krishnan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results