Does occupational therapy delay or reduce the proportion of patients that receives thumb carpometacarpal joint surgery? A multicentre randomised controlled trial

What is it about?

What is it about?
The main findings in this randomised controlled trial reveal a small non-significant tendency towards a delay and reduction in surgery in patients with carpometacarpal (thumb base) osteoarthritis that received occupational therapy. These findings may reflect the EULAR recommendations which states that all patients with hand osteoarthritis should be offered non-pharmacological treatment, and that surgery only should be considered when other interventions have not been sufficiently effective in relieving pain.
Why is it important?
The findings in this study may contribute to the evidence that all patients with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis should be offered occupational therapy before surgery is considered. To achieve a sustainable care for hand osteoarthritis patients it is important that general practitioners, surgeons, therapists and patients have good knowledge about the recommended non-pharmacological treatment.


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