Variation in Treatment for Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2 Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

3 Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

4 Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

Abstract

Background: Treatment recommendations for trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrosis are highly variable from surgeon
to surgeon. This study addressed the influence of viewing radiographs on a decision to offer surgery for TMC arthrosis.
Methods: In an online survey, 92 hand surgeons viewed clinical scenarios and were asked if they would offer surgery
to 30 patients with TMC arthrosis. Forty-two observers were randomly assigned to review clinical information alone
and 50 to review clinical information as well as radiographs. The degree of limitation of daily activities, time since
diagnosis, prior treatment, pain with grind, crepitation with grind, and metacarpal adduction with metacarpophalangeal
hyperextension were randomized for each patient scenario to determine the influence of these factors on offers of
surgery. A cross-classified binary logistic multilevel regression analysis identified factors associated with surgeon offer
of surgery.
Results: Surgeons were more likely to offer surgery when they viewed radiographs (42% vs. 32%, P = 0.01). Other
factors associated variation in offer of surgery included greater limitation of daily activities, symptoms for a year,
prior splint or injection, deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Factors not associated included limb dominance,
prominence of the TMC joint, crepitation with the grind test, and pinch and grip strength.
Conclusion: Surgeons that view radiographs are more likely to offer surgery to people with TMC arthrosis.
Surgeons are also more likely to offer surgery when people do not adapt with time and nonoperative treatment.
Given the notable influence of surgeon bias, and the potential for surgeon and patient impatience with the
adaptation process, methods for increasing patient participation in the decision-making process merit additional
attention and study.
Level of evidence: Not applicable.

Keywords

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 9, Issue 2
March 2021
Pages 158-166

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 September 2019
  • Revise Date: 19 January 2020
  • Accept Date: 25 January 2020

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