[Working ability after tendon interposition arthroplasty for degenerative arthritis of the thumb trapeziometacarpal...

Trapeziometacarpal arthrosis is the second most common disorder in the field of degenerative joint diseases of the hand, appearing ten to fifteen times more often in females older than 50 than in men of the same age group. Thus, an age group is afflicted where the hands are needed for occupational activity in addition to the physical strain of constant housework. However, no systematic data concerning the postoperative ability to perform household and or occupational activities have been reported. The aim of this study is to give better advice to future patients during office visits prior to the operation. For this, we evaluated different professions, postoperative working ability, occupational rehabilitation (housework or occupational activity), remaining discomfort and complications. We used a list of questions including the DASH questionnaire and sent it to patients after performing a tendon interposition arthroplasty. Forty-seven of the 52 patients of working age and under the age of 60 years returned the questionnaire. Patients were, according to their profession, classified into 4 different groups: manually heavy work, manually light work, office work and housework. Judging from the recorded data, we conclude that approximately 90% of the patients regained their preoperative working ability. Patients were unable to work for an average period of 8 weeks postoperatively and could only work part-time (50%) for another 8 weeks. There is a positive correlation between incapacity and the kind of work to be performed. Housewives/-men returned approximately to their preoperative status of working ability after a period of three months. Light pain is possible. The risk of disability pension due to persistent painful inability to use the hand is rather low despite the operation. Manually light working people evaluate the outcome of the operation as less good than manually heavy working people, office workers or housewives/-men.