Osteoarthritis (OA) of the 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is a significant cause of hand pain, dysfunction, disability, and visible deformity. Surgery in the form of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI)is often indicated when less invasive procedures fail. Following LRTI procedures, the accepted classic protocol throughout the literature has been to place patients in a thumb-immobilizing spica cast or splint for 4-6 weeks and then begin rehabilitation exercises. Following this, a gradual progressive rehabilitation protocol is initiated which usually focuses on thumb range of motion, pinch strength, and hand function. This standard form of rehabilitation has shown improvements in pain, function, and satisfaction. However, because these patients are usually kept immobilized until 4-6 weeks post-operatively in order for the tendon graft to incorporate and become stable, stiffness can develop in the thumb as a result. This leads to more time off work and without full and unrestricted use of the hand. Due to their higher pullout strength compared to conventional tendon fixation, the use of interference screws in LRTI procedures may allow for earlier initiation of a more accelerated rehabilitation protocol compared to the standard 4-6 weeks of immobilization prior to rehabilitation. Over the past year at the investigators center the investigators have begun post-operative mobilization and rehabilitation on the first post-op visit at 10-14 days following LRTI with the use of an interference screw. Anecdotally, the investigators have found that their patients have regained their range of motion and function earlier and, in some cases, with larger gains compared to their previous patients they had immobilized for 6 weeks before initiating their rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to compare patients that have been exposed to the early versus standard rehabilitation protocol to see if there is significant improvement in their range of motion, pinch and grip strength, pain levels and function.
The investigators have found that their patients who get earlier rehabilitation following ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) surgery with interference screws have experienced better outcomes. The investigators hypothesis is that when formally comparing these patients who are exposed to the rehabilitation protocol earlier compared to later, the investigators will see statistically better outcomes.