title: Postoperative Therapy for Chronic Thumb Carpometacarpal (CMC) Joint Dislocation.
abstract: Surgical arthroplasty of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis is commonly performed. Postoperative therapeutic protocols aim to improve range of motion and function of the revised thumb. We describe a case in which the thumb CMC joint had been chronically dislocated before surgery, with shortening of the soft-tissue dynamic and static stabilizers of the joint. The postoperative protocol addressed the soft tissues using splinting and exercises aimed at lengthening and strengthening these structures, with good results. It may be beneficial to evaluate soft-tissue tension and the pattern of thumb use after surgery for thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis to improve postoperative functional results.
authors.affiliation: Ronit Wollstein, MD, is Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Technion School of Medicine, Haifa, Israel, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA; ronitwollstein@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wollstein
authors.affiliation: Dafna Michael, CHT, is Hand Therapist, Carmel Lady Davis Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Dafna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.affiliation: Hani Harel, CHT, is Director of Hand Therapy, Carmel Lady Davis Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harel