[Suspension arthroplasty of the thumb carpometacarpal joint in different views--a questionnaire].
OBJECTIVE
Obviously there are different judgements of the results of suspension arthroplasties of the thumb carpometacarpal joint. Consequently, the three main groups involved in therapy were asked about this topic.


METHODS
51 patients who had had a suspension arthroplasty on the thumb carpometacarpal joint in the period 1998 - 2006 were questioned. 12 of these patients were operated on both hands (63 operations). A questionnaire sent to 250 family doctors was compared with the results from the 51 patients. Furthermore there was an interview by telephone which included 25 practising specialists (orthopaedicians and surgeons).


RESULTS
The results contrasted widely. Concerning the operation, 50 from 51 patients had a high subjective satisfaction. The family doctors had a different view. Nearly 80 % disregarded the success of the operation or they could not judge the chances. Only 50 % of all family doctors arranged for an X-ray or a consultation at a specialist when the patient had continuing problems. The results of the 25 specialists were also not uniform. 50 % of them, especially the hand surgeons, believe in the success of the primary osteoarthritis operation. The high barrier to operations for rhizarthrosis is based on a lack of information.
Brand
J
J
Chirurgische Praxis Brand/Dyck/Schulz, Celler Strasse 24, 29525 Uelzen. brand@branddyckschulz.de
Zeichen
J
J
Gaulke
R
R
D001174:Arthrodesis; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000601:surgery*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013933:Thumb / Q000601:surgery*; D051222:Trapezium Bone / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome