Emerging Healthcare Trends in Prosthetic Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

Background: For many years, advancements in hand joint replacement (JR) were relatively minor compared to those for large joints. However, the caution previously exercised due to high complication rates is gradually being replaced by the expanding use of JR therapies for small joints in the hand. Despite this progress, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the outcomes of hand JR and on the optimal infrastructure required to meet the growing demand for these therapies. Methods: This study examined trends and revision rates of JR for thumb carpometacarpal (CMC-1) and finger (MCP and PIP) joints in both inpatient and outpatient settings in Germany. Data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) and the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (ZI) were analyzed, focusing on the incidence, demographics, and outcomes of these procedures. Results: This study found a substantial national increase in prosthetic treatments specifically for CMC-1, with a 2.18-fold rise in the outpatient sector compared to a 1.65-fold increase in inpatient treatments. Despite this shift, 83.7% of JR procedures were still performed in an inpatient setting. Conclusions: The overall complication rates appear to be declining, suggesting that while the management of these procedures is shifting towards outpatient care, the quality remains stable.