The assessment of hand function: Part III--the final analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Rheumatology
• Hand function assessment

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects hand function, necessitating surgical intervention.
• Evaluating the efficacy of surgical procedures for rheumatoid hand is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively and objectively evaluate common surgical procedures for improving rheumatoid hand function.
• To assess the impact of surgery on overall hand function, including non-operated digits.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of surgical procedures for rheumatoid hand.
• Objective assessment of hand function using individual digital force measurements.

Main Results:

• Surgical intervention for rheumatoid hand function is clearly justified by objective data.
• Significant functional improvement observed in operated digits.
• Functional gains also noted in non-operated digits of the operated hand.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment is an effective strategy for enhancing rheumatoid hand function.
• The benefits of surgery extend beyond the directly treated digits, indicating a systemic improvement in hand mechanics.