AI Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes and patient-reported experiences following thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction using a tendon autograft from December 2011 to February 2021.
- Results showed that patients' Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) scores significantly improved over 12 months, indicating better pain management and hand function post-surgery.
- Although most patients experienced stability restoration, those with ongoing instability or diagnosed metacarpophalangeal arthritis had limited improvement in their outcomes, emphasizing the complexity of healing in such cases.
Article Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to report clinical and patient-reported outcomes collected in a registry after thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction with a free tendon autograft. Furthermore, the patient-reported outcomes of patients with persistent instability after reconstruction and patients with concomitant metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis diagnosed during surgery were analyzed.
Methods: Patients undergoing reconstruction with a tendon autograft between December 2011 and February 2021 were included. Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) scores at baseline were compared with those at 3 and 12 months after surgery. Stability was tested at 3 months after surgery. Tip and key pinch strength and metacarpophalangeal joint range of motion were measured at baseline and 12 months after surgery.
Results: We included 31 patients with thumb UCL insufficiency or failed UCL surgery who underwent reconstruction. The MHQ total score improved significantly from 62 at baseline to 75 at 3 months and continued to increase to 84 at 12 months after surgery. The MHQ function and pain scores improved significantly from intake to 3 and 12 months after surgery. Twenty-six of 31 patients (84%) regained postoperative metacarpophalangeal stability. Key pinch strength improved significantly 12 months after surgery from 5.2 kg at baseline to 6.4 kg at 12 months. The MHQ total, pain, and function scores of patients with persistent instability remained similar from baseline to 12 months after surgery. In four patients with metacarpophalangeal arthritis, the MHQ total and pain score improved significantly from baseline to 3 and 12 months after surgery.
Conclusions: Patient-reported outcomes, including pain and function, improved after thumb UCL reconstruction with a tendon autograft. Although the sample size of patients with thumb metacarpophalangeal arthritis diagnosed during surgery was small, they reached adequate patient-reported outcomes at 12 months after surgery.
Type Of Study/level Of Evidence: Therapeutic IV.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.05.005 | DOI Listing |
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