title: Rehabilitation protocol after suspension arthroplasty of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  When conservative modalities and therapies fail to control symptoms of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, surgery may be indicated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a rehabilitation protocol used in a series of patient cases after suspension arthroplasty and to evaluate outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients with CMC osteoarthritis were treated by the same arthroplasty technique and the same rehabilitation program. Patients were evaluated before and 12th week after surgery, and at the last follow-up using a visual analog scale; the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; strength measurements; range of motion evaluations; and radiographic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average follow-up period was 31.5 months. There was a decreasing trend in both subjective scores during follow-ups (p=0.0001). Thirty-three percent and 30% improvements on radial and palmar abductions, respectively, and 29% improvement on pinch strengths were recorded at the final follow-up. Postoperative grip improvement was not preserved at the last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate a high degree of patient satisfaction suggesting the efficacy of this surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vehbi Koc Foundation, American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. yapraka@amerikanhastanesi.org
authors.forename: Yaprak
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ataker
authors.forename: Eftal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gudemez
authors.forename: Sibel Comert
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ece
authors.forename: Nazan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Canbulat
authors.forename: Ayan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulgonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D052581:Pinch Strength; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D051222:Trapezium Bone / Q000601:surgery