Article

Conservative intervention of carpometacarpal joint (CMC) thumb pain, caused by osteoarthritis
and ligament laxity, is frequently seen in hand therapy.
Traditional intervention for pain and disability reduction includes orthoses, exercises, and joint protection education.
The literature on
conservative management is unclear which design or program of exercises create an effective result.
Results of a conservative dynamic stability interventional model for thumb pain are presented as
a design which positively effects pain and disability.
Purpose of the study: The purposes were to primarily investigate change in pain and disability in persons
with CMC pain in a dynamic stability modeled approach to intervention, and secondarily, to assess the
average number of visits and the duration of total visits in this model.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed on 35 charts of those seen at a multicenter hand
therapy clinic. The pain and disability scores from the QuickDASH were used as outcome measures.
Results: The average group pain and disability scores improved by 17.9% (p < .01) and 19.3%
(p < .01)
respectively, with average individual disability improvement of 15.7%, which is greater than the accepted
MCID. The average patient visits were 2.37 over an average range of 44.5 days. The group demographics
match current literature: 31 females to 4 males, with average age of 58 years
(range of 30e82 years).
Conclusion: Significant reduction in pain and disability is noted with a conservative dynamic stability
modeled approach to intervention, with information on average visits and duration in this model of care
for individuals with thumb pain at the CMC joint.
Level of evidence: 4.

Langue : ANGLAIS