Comparative Evaluation of Surgical Options with Clinical Equipoise:

A Hand Therapist Perspective

Background information:

For how many YEARS have you been a certified hand therapist?

Approximately how many hand surgeons refer patients to you?

How many patients do you evaluate/treat per WEEK?

Endoscopic versus Open Carpal Tunnel Release:

How many post-operative carpal tunnel patients do you evaluate/treat per month?

What is the breakdown of open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release (CTR) patients you see post-operatively?

Open CTR:

Endoscopic CTR:

In the early post-operative period, which group has better pain level and incisional tenderness?

Open CTR Endoscopic CTR Equal

Which procedure would you have done if you were a patient? Endoscopic CTR Open CTR

Comments/other notable differences:

Treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis:

How many post-operative CMC joint arthritis patients do you evaluate/treat per month?

Approximately what percentage of patients underwent each of the following procedures?

LRTI/suspensionplasty:

Trapeziectomy:

Trapeziectomy & pinning:

Tight-Rope:

Other:

In the early post-operative period, which group of patientshas the best pain control?

LRTI Trapeziectomy Trap/Pinning Tight-Rope Other

In the early post-operative period, which group of patients has the best motion?

LRTI Trapeziectomy Trap/Pinning Tight-Rope Other

In the early post-operative period, which group of patients has the best thumb position?

LRTI Trapeziectomy Trap/Pinning Tight-Rope Other

Which group is discharged from your care earliest?

LRTI Trapeziectomy Trap/Pinning Tight-Rope Other

Which procedure would you have done if you were a patient?

LRTI Trapeziectomy Trap/Pinning Tight-Rope Other

Comments/other notable differences:

Proximal Row Carpectomy(PRC) versus 4-Corner Fusion (4-CF) for wrist arthritis:

How many post-operative PRC/4-CF patients do you evaluate/treat per month?

Approximately what percentage underwent the following:

PRC:

4-CF:

In the early post-operative period, which group of patients has the best pain control?

PRC 4-CF Equal

In the early post-operative period, which group has superior motion?

PRC 4-CF Equal

Which group is discharged from your care earlier?

PRC 4-CF Equal

Which procedure would you have done if you were a patient?

PRC 4-CF

Comments/other notable differences: