Building Legitimacy by Valuing the Expert Opinion in the Conservative Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

摘要

Background: This article describes and provide information regarding the expert opinion on the conservative treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to elucidate expert opinion on the conservative treatment of thumb CMC joint OA. Methods: A 21-item survey to determine the practice patterns of international hand researchers who treat arthritis of the CMC joint was developed and distributed through a professional online survey service to ensure confidentiality and anonymity. Results: All experts assessed the intensity of pain in CMC joint OA, and the visual analog scale was the method that was most frequently used by 87.5% of respondents. Conclusions: This survey provides valuable data regarding current practice patterns by valuing the expert opinion on the conservative treatment of thumb CMC joint OA.