Publications by authors named "Ralph Poelstra"

Background: Return to work is potentially an important factor in assessing the success of treatment. However, little is known about the return to work after treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to assess return to work after limited fasciectomy and percutaneous needle fasciotomy.

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This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the timing of return to work after surgical treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis and to calculate the costs of lost productivity. We included 627 patients with paid employment who underwent trapeziectomy and ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition. Time to return to work was measured through filling online questionnaires and analysed using survival analysis at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery.

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Background: A direct comparison of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive patients with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 negative control group undergoing an operative intervention during the current pandemic is lacking, and a reliable estimate of the assumed difference in morbidity and mortality between both patient categories remains unknown.

Methods: We included all consecutive patients with a confirmed pre- or postoperative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive status (operated in 27 hospitals) and negative control patients (operated in 4 hospitals) undergoing emergency or elective operations. A propensity score-matched comparison of clinical outcomes was performed between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive and negative tested patients (control group).

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Routine measurement of outcome of clinical care is increasingly considered important, but implementation in practice is challenging. This article describes (1) how the authors created and implemented a routine outcome measurement cohort of patients with hand and wrist conditions and (2) how these data are used to improve the quality of care and facilitate scientific research. Starting in 2011, routine outcome measurement was implemented at all practice sites (currently 22) of a specialized treatment center for hand and wrist conditions across The Netherlands.

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Introduction: Patient-reported outcome measures have become the standard tool for reflecting the patient's perspective on their treatment outcome for a wide variety of hand conditions. The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), is an individualized questionnaire that enables patients to specify those activities with which they have difficulty in daily life.

Purpose Of The Study: This study aims to determine the content validity and responsiveness of the PSFS compared with the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) in patients with Dupuytren's disease.

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Purpose: Previous studies indicate that patients with a more negative perception of their illness tend to respond less favorably to treatment, but little is known about whether illness perceptions differ based on the type of hand or wrist conditions. Therefore, we compared illness perceptions between patients scheduled to undergo surgery for 4 illnesses in hand surgery: carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA), Dupuytren disease, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and trigger finger syndrome (TFS). We hypothesized there would be differences in illness perception between these patient groups.

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This study investigates the outcomes of 1106 patients with Dupuytren's disease treated with limited fasciectomy or percutaneous needle fasciotomy over 16 years according to the different domains of patient-reported hand function. These patients completed the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire before and 3 months after surgery. Scores for the various outcome parameters were calculated and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between the changes in digital extension deficit and change in Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (sub)scores.

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In this cohort study, we report on short-term outcomes of 203 patients (203 wrists) who underwent scapholunate ligament reconstruction using a three-ligament tenodesis technique between December 2013 and December 2017. Patients completed the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire and a visual analogue scale for pain online before surgery and at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. We also measured the range of movement before surgery, in 150 patients 3 months after surgery, and in 90 patients 1 year after surgery.

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Background: There are multiple studies about the effectiveness of primary treatment in Dupuytren's disease. However, such studies concerning treatment effectiveness of recurrent disease are scarce. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to compare treatment effectiveness of initial and repeated surgery in patients with Dupuytren's disease.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the association between patients' experiences with trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty and treatment outcomes in terms of patient-reported outcome measures, grip and pinch strength. We included 233 patients who received a Weilby procedure for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Before surgery and 12 months after surgery, patients completed the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, and their pinch and grip strengths were measured.

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Background: In hand surgery, and specifically carpal tunnel syndrome, it is currently unknown whether experiences with health care influence surgical outcome. To investigate whether there is an association between patient-reported experience measures and symptom relief, data were gathered using a cohort of patients undergoing surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: Patient-reported experience measures and patient-reported outcome measures were registered in a national database of 16 hand surgery practices.

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Unlabelled: This prospective study investigates the extent to which a better experience with healthcare delivery is associated with better postoperative treatment outcomes after surgery for Dupuytren's contracture. Patients undergoing limited fasciectomy or percutaneous needle fasciotomy for Dupuytren's contractures completed the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire before and 3 months after surgery, together with a patient reported experience measure, while hand therapists assessed the straightness of the finger with a goniometer. Regression analyses were used to examine associations.

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