Contralateral Arm Pain as a Sign of Distress Regarding Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Pain intensity and magnitude of incapability are associated with common unhelpful thoughts about symptoms such as catastrophic thinking and kinesiophobia. To determine whether reports of pain in the upper limb contralateral to a non-trauma condition were associated with unhelpful thoughts, we measured the relationship between pain intensity in the opposite limb and levels of unhelpful thinking. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 152 new and return patients seeking care of an upper-limb musculoskeletal condition completed measures of upper-extremity-specific magnitude of capability, pain intensity of the involved and contralateral arms, unhelpful thoughts regarding symptoms, symptoms of distress regarding symptoms, and general symptoms of depression. Factors associated with contralateral and ipsilateral pain intensity and upper-extremity-specific magnitude of capability were assessed using multivariable statistics. RESULTS: In bivariate analysis, contralateral arm pain was associated with symptoms of distress regarding pain, but not in multivariable analysis. Accounting for potential confounding in negative binominal regression analysis, greater pain intensity of the affected side was independently associated with greater feelings of distress regarding symptoms and no prior surgery. Greater upper-extremity-specific capability was independently associated with less distress regarding symptoms, married/partnered, men, and no prior surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that greater pain intensity in the opposite arm was associated with greater distress regarding symptoms suggests that, in combination with other verbal and non-verbal signs of distress, patient concerns about pain in the contralateral limb can help direct patients and surgeons to evidence-based care strategies for alleviating stress regarding symptoms.

Prevalence of incidental distal biceps signal changes on magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the base rate of signal changes consistent with distal biceps tendinopathy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to influence strategies for diagnosis and treatment of people that present with elbow pain. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of distal biceps tendon signal changes on MRIs of the elbow by indication for imaging. METHODS: MRI data for 1,306 elbows were retrospectively reviewed for mention of signal change in distal biceps tendon. The reports were sorted by indication. RESULTS: Signal changes consistent with distal biceps tendinopathy were noted in 197 of 1,306 (15%) patients, including 34% of patients with biceps pain, 14% of patients with unspecified pain, and 8% of patients with a specific non-biceps indication. Distal biceps tendon changes noted on radiology reports were associated with older age, male sex, and radiologists with musculoskeletal fellowship training. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that distal biceps MRI signal changes consistent with tendinopathy are common even in asymptomatic elbows reduces the probability that symptoms correlate with pathology on imaging. The accumulation of signal changes with age, also independent of symptoms, suggests that tendon pathology persists after symptoms resolve, that some degree of distal biceps tendinopathy is common in a human lifetime, and that tendinopathy may often be accommodated without seeking care. Level of evidence: IV.

Measurement of Upper Extremity-Specific Comfort and Capability.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) quantify symptom intensity and magnitude of capability. Upper extremity PROMs were developed shortly after the advent of general health PROMs. PROMs are still primarily research tools, and their use with individual patients is still evolving. When PROMs were developed, the initial and intuitive expectation was a strong correlation of comfort and capability with pathophysiology severity. In other words, people with greater radiographic arthritis or larger degenerative tendon defects were expected to feel worse and do less. After more than 20 years of research using PROMs, it is clear that mindset and circumstances account for more of the variation in PROMs than pathophysiology severity. Mounting research establishes upper extremity PROMs and PROMs in general as useful tools for anchoring and developing comprehensive, biopsychosocial approaches to care.

Correlation of the I-HaND Scale with Other Musculoskeletal Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Scores.

Background Experiments can determine if nerve-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can outperform regional or condition-specific PROMs. We compared a nerve-specific PROM of the upper extremity, the Impact of Hand Nerve Disorders (I-HaND) scale, to other validated measures quantifying activity intolerance and sought to assess interquestionnaire correlations and factors independently associated with activity intolerance and pain intensity. Methods One hundred and thirty patients with any upper extremity nerve-related condition completed measures of demographics, psychological limitations, quality of life, activity intolerance, and pain intensity. To quantify activity intolerance, we used the I-HaND, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand short form. Results Strong interquestionnaire correlations were found between the activity intolerance measures ( r between 0.70 and 0.91). Multivariable analysis revealed that greater activity intolerance and greater pain intensity correlated most with greater symptoms of depression on all scales, with symptoms of depression accounting for 53 to 84% of the variability in the PROMs. Conclusion There is no clear advantage of the nerve-specific I-HaND over shorter, regional PROMs, perhaps because they are all so closely tied to mental health. Unless an advantage relating to responsiveness to treatment is demonstrated, we support using a brief arm-specific PROM for all upper extremity conditions. Level of Evidence Level II; Prognostic.

Radiographs and Corticosteroid Injections at a New Patient Visit for Care of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow.

Introduction The benefit of radiographs or steroid injection for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is open to debate. We assessed: (1) Radiographs ordered and injections performed at a new patient visit for patients presenting with either idiopathic CTS or UNE; (2) The estimated payment reduction if we omit these interventions; and (3) Patient age, sex, geographic region, and work status associated with radiographs or injections at a new patient visit for patients presenting with either idiopathic CTS or UNE. Materials and Methods Using a large database of commercial insurance claims, we identified patients with a new visit for either CTS ( N = 9,522), UNE ( N = 2,507), or both ( N = 962; 8.7%). We identified injections and radiographs, and estimated total payments for these interventions. We created three multivariable logistic regression models for each diagnosis to identify factors associated with the interventions. Results Nearly one third of patients had radiographs at a new patient visit (30% and 32% for idiopathic CTS and UNE, respectively). Nearly 10% of patients with CTS and 2.6% with UNE received an injection. Both radiographs and injections representing annual minimum payments of over $345,000 and $294,000, respectively. Among people with CTS, radiographs were independently more common in the South and less common in the West. Injection for CTS was associated with younger age; North, Central, and South regions; and retired employment status. For people with UNE, radiographs were independently associated with younger age; South or West region; and retired or working employment status. Injection for UNE was associated with retired employment status. Conclusion The prevalence of radiographs and injections suggests opportunities for savings, which might benefit clinicians with bundled or capitated payments and patients with large copayments or deductibles. The observed variation may reflect debate about whether these interventions are worthwhile. Level of Evidence Diagnostic; Retrospective Database Level III study.

A Comparison of Nerve-Specific, Condition-Specific, and Upper Extremity-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Arm-, region-, tissue-, and condition-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available to address idiopathic mononeuropathy. This study compared PROMs with varying specificities in patients with idiopathic neuropathy of the upper extremity with respect to correlations with each another, sources of variation in scores, and floor and ceiling effects. METHODS: One hundred fifty patients (130 with carpal tunnel syndrome, 30 with cubital tunnel syndrome, and 10 with both conditions) completed a nerve-specific PROM (Impact of Hand Nerve Disorders), a condition-specific PROM (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire and/or Patient-Rated Ulnar Nerve Evaluation), and an upper extremity-specific PROM (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity 7). We also gathered demographic and condition-related data (side, electrodiagnostic studies present, muscle atrophy, static loss of sensibility), and patients completed questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, and symptoms of depression. Correlation of the PROMs with each another and factors accounting for their variation were assessed, as well as the number of items to complete, time to complete, and floor and ceiling effects. RESULTS: Pearson correlations between PROMs were moderate to strong (0.56-0.90). Self-reported symptoms of depression were best able to account for the variations in symptom intensity and activity intolerance on all PROMs (adjusted R2 between 0.09 and 0.31). The Impact of Hand Nerve Disorders is a long questionnaire and took the most time to complete. All instruments had comparable floor effects; Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity had a ceiling of effect of 16%. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the evidence that specific and general PROMs correlate with each another, perhaps in part through their correlation with mental health. Based on this line of evidence and pending testing of potentially greater responsiveness in specific settings, we prefer to use a single simple, brief, and general PROM to quantify symptom intensity and activity intolerance for both routine patient care and research. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

Psychosocial Factors Are Associated With Risk Acceptance in Upper Extremity Patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients who help choose their health strategies are more adherent and achieve better health. An important role of the clinician is to verify that a patient's expressed preferences are consistent with what matters most to the patient and not muddled by common misconceptions about symptoms or conditions. Patient choices are influenced by estimation of the potential benefits and potential harms of a given intervention. One method for quantifying these estimations is the concept of maximum acceptable risk (MAR), or the maximum risk that subjects are willing to accept in exchange for a given therapeutic benefit. This study addressed the hypothesis that misconceptions due to unhelpful cognitive bias regarding pain are associated with risk acceptance among people seeking care for an upper extremity condition. METHODS: We invited 140 new adult patients visiting an upper extremity specialist to complete a survey including demographics, pain intensity, depression and anxiety symptoms, catastrophic thinking, activity limitations, and MAR. Trauma or nontrauma diagnosis was obtained from the treating clinician and recorded by the research assistant. We used bivariate and linear regression analyses to identify factors associated with MAR among this population. RESULTS: Accounting for potential confounding in multivariable analysis, higher MAR was associated with older age and greater catastrophic thinking. CONCLUSIONS: Specialists can be aware that people with more unhelpful cognitive biases may be willing to take more risk. Vigilance for common misconceptions and gentle, incremental reorientation of those misconceptions can increase the probability that people will choose options consistent with what matters most to them.

Surgeon Ratings of the Severity of Idiopathic Median Neuropathy at the Carpal Tunnel Are Not Influenced by Magnitude of Incapability.

BACKGROUND: Accurately distinguishing the severity of pathophysiology from the level of symptom intensity and incapability is a foundation of effective treatment strategies under the biopsychosocial paradigm of illness. With respect to idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel (the symptoms and signs of which are referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome), surgeons who are more likely to recommend surgery based on the magnitude of symptoms and incapability rather than the severity of neuropathy may be underappreciating and undertreating mental health opportunities and overtreating mild, and on occasion unmeasurable, disease. A survey-based experiment that randomizes elements of the patient presentation can help determine the relative influence of magnitude of incapability on ratings of pathology severity. QUESTION/PURPOSE: What factors are associated with severity rating of idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel on an 11-point ordinal scale? METHODS: One hundred eight hand and wrist members of the Science of Variation Group (among approximately 200 participants who complete at least one survey-experiment a year related to the upper extremity on average) reviewed seven scenarios of fictional median neuropathy with seven randomized variables: age, gender, limitations of daily activity (incapability), Tinel and Phalen test results, duration of numbness episodes, prevention of numbness with nocturnal splint immobilization, constant numbness, and weakness of palmar abduction. Participants had a mean age of 51 ± 10 years, 90% (97 of 108) were men, and 74% (80 of 108) were subspecialized in hand surgery. Surgeons were asked to rate the severity of idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel on a on an 11-point ordinal scale. Factors associated with rated severity were sought in multilevel ordered logistic regression models. Fifteen surgeons did not complete all of their assigned randomized scenarios, resulting in a total of 675 ratings. RESULTS: After controlling for potentially confounding variables such as magnitude of incapability, factors associated with severity rating on the 11-point ordinal scale included palmar abduction weakness (odds ratio 11 [95% confidence interval 7.7 to 15]), longer duration of symptom episodes (OR 4.5 [95% CI 3.3 to 6.2]), nocturnal numbness in spite of splint immobilization (OR 3.2 [95% CI 2.3 to 4.3]), constant numbness (OR 2.5 [95% CI 1.9 to 3.4]), positive Tinel and positive Phalen test results (OR 2.2 [95% CI 1.6 to 2.9]), and older age (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.2 to 2.1]). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgeons rate the severity of idiopathic median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel based on evidence of worse pathophysiology and are not distracted by greater incapability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons who consider greater incapability as an indication of more severe pathology seem to be practicing outside the norm and may be underappreciating and undertreating the unhelpful thoughts and feelings of worry or despair that consistently account for a notable amount of the variation in symptom intensity and magnitude of incapability.

Patient and Surgeon Factors Associated With Prosthetic Replacement Rather Than With Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Radial Head Fracture.

Background: The decision between radial head arthroplasty and open reduction internal fixation in the context of a terrible triad elbow fracture-dislocation is debated. This study investigated both surgeon and patient factors associated with surgeons' recommendations to use arthroplasty. Methods: One hundred fifty-two surgeon members of the Science of Variation Group participated. Surgeons were asked to complete an online survey that included surgeon demographics and 16 patient scenarios. The patient scenarios were randomized using 2 patient variables and 2 anatomical variables. Multilevel logistic mixed regression analysis was performed to identify surgeon and patient variables associated with recommendations for radial head arthroplasty. Results: We found that radial head replacement was recommended in 38% of the scenarios. Scenarios with older patients, with fractures of the whole head, and those involving 3 fracture fragments were independently associated with radial head replacement. Conclusion: We found that most surgeons recommended radial head fracture fixation rather than arthroplasty. Surgeons were more likely to recommend fixation for younger patients with partial articular fractures or with fractures with 3 or fewer fracture fragments. It seems that surgeons are uneasy about using a prosthesis in a young active patient.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Nylon and Chromic Gut Sutures After Minor Hand Surgery.

PURPOSE: We sought to compare overall satisfaction with treatment and satisfaction with initial wound healing after closure of office hand and upper extremity surgery wounds using polyamide compared to Chromic gut sutures. METHODS: We compared 62 patients randomized to polyamide suture closure of an office hand and upper extremity incision (mostly carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release) to 50 patients closed with Chromic gut suture. Patients rated overall treatment satisfaction, satisfaction with initial healing, pain intensity, and upper extremity-specific activity tolerance. RESULTS: Accounting for potential confounding in multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis, we found the following: (1) overall satisfaction with care was unrelated to suture type; (2) satisfaction with initial wound healing and appearance was lower among people with no other comorbidities, but unrelated to suture type; (3) there were no factors independently associated with pain intensity; and (4) excisional biopsy was associated with greater activity tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggests that Chromic sutures are a viable alternative to polyamide sutures after office hand surgery, provided that the care team anticipates and develops strategies for concerns that may arise if the sutures take an extended period to fall off. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Mental-Health Phenotypes and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Upper-Extremity Illness.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have suggested that misconceptions (i.e., unhelpful thoughts or cognitive errors resulting from cognitive bias) and distress (symptoms of anxiety or depression) are key factors associated with variation in health, as quantified with use of patient-reported outcome measures. The primary purpose of the present study was to identify mental-health phenotypes (i.e., combinations of various types of misconceptions and distress) that might help direct care and to test for differences in magnitude of activity tolerance, pain intensity, and self-efficacy in response to pain between phenotypes. We also studied demographic factors and diagnostic categories associated with mental-health phenotypes. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 137 patients seeking upper-extremity musculoskeletal specialty care completed a survey including demographics, mental-health questionnaires, and measures of upper-extremity-specific activity tolerance, pain intensity, and pain self-efficacy. We used cluster analysis to identify groups of patients with similar phenotypes. We used analysis of variance testing to assess differences in activity tolerance, pain intensity, and pain self-efficacy among phenotypes. RESULTS: The cluster analysis yielded 4 unique mental-health phenotypes, which fit the theoretical conceptualizations of "low misconception and low distress," "notable misconception," "notable depression and notable misconception," and "notable anxiety, depression, and misconception." Patients with low bias and low distress had significantly greater activity tolerance and greater pain self-efficacy than the other phenotypes, as well as a significantly lower pain intensity than phenotypes with notable distress. CONCLUSIONS: Cluster analysis of mental-health questionnaire data can identify mental-health phenotypes that are associated with greater activity tolerance and pain intensity. This approach might help clinicians to strategize and prioritize approaches that correct unhelpful thoughts and ameliorate symptoms of distress among patients seeking musculoskeletal specialty care. Such strategies have the potential to achieve more comprehensive, whole-person care, more selective operative treatment, and improved outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Resiliency Mediate the Association of Psychological Adaptability with Limitations and Pain Intensity after Upper Extremity Trauma?

BACKGROUND: Given the influence of psychosocial factors on musculoskeletal symptoms and limitations, this study assessed if the ability of resilience (an individual's ability to adapt under stress) mediates the association of psychological adaptability with magnitude of physical limitations and pain intensity during recovery from an upper extremity injury. METHODS: A total of 107 patients were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study. Patients completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF), an 11-point ordinal measure of pain intensity, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Psychological Adaptation Scale (PAS). We used structural equation modeling to assess the mediation effect by resiliency and psychological adaptability on patient-reported disability and pain at initial assessment and after three months. RESULTS: PAS and BRS were not independently associated with PROMIS PF or pain intensity at enrollment or after three months, so it was not possible to assess if resiliency mediated the association of psychological adaptability with physical function or pain. There were no factors independently associated with resilience. CONCLUSION: General measures of psychological adaptability and resiliency do not correlate with symptoms and limitations as well as specific measures of adaptiveness in response to nociception.

Using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Short Form in Patients With Upper Extremity Specific Limitations.

Background: The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is used to quantify fear of painful movement. A shorter form with only 4 questions (TSK-4) can be used by physicians to look for fear of movement independent of catastrophic thinking with less responder and survey burden. We assessed the difference explained in amount of variation in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity (PROMIS PF UE) between the TSK and TSK-4. Additionally, we looked for other factors that were associated with the PROMIS PF UE, and we assessed reliability and validity of the TSK and TSK-4 by looking at mean scaled scores, internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, interquestionnaire correlations, and collinearity with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale short form (PCS-4), PROMIS Depression, and PROMIS Pain Interference (PROMIS PI). Methods: One hundred forty eight new and follow-up patients were seen at 5 orthopedic clinics in a large urban area and given the TSK, PROMIS PF UE, PROMIS Depression, PROMIS PI, and PCS-4 questionnaires. Results: Both long and short measures of greater fear of painful movement were independently associated with less physical function (PROMIS PF UE). The longer version accounted for more of the variation in physical function than the short version (TSK, semipartial R2 = 0.12, adjusted R2 full model 0.25; TSK-4, semipartial R2 = 0.03, adjusted R2 full model = 0.16, respectively). The shorter measure had slight floor and ceiling effects. There was high internal consistency for both the TSK and TSK-4. Conclusions: A short measure of fear of painful movement may be an adequate screen in the care of patients with upper extremity problems. Using this short form can help decrease questionnaire burden while accounting for kinesiophobia along with catastrophic thinking.Level of Evidence: Prognostic, level II.

Attitudes Toward Aging Among Patients With Upper Extremity Illness.

Background: An adaptive attitude toward aging might limit symptom intensity and magnitude of limitations. This study sought factors associated with attitudes toward aging (measured with the Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire [B-APQ]) and studied the relationship of having an age-related disease to magnitude of limitations, pain intensity, patient satisfaction, and patient comfort with completing a questionnaire about attitudes toward aging. We also looked for a subset of questions from B-APQ that maintained the construct validity and internal consistency of B-APQ, without unacceptable flooring or ceiling effects. Methods: A total of 161 upper extremity patients completed the following questionnaires: B-APQ, Patient Health Questionnaire-Short Form, Pain Self-efficacy-Short Form, Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Short Form, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function-Upper Extremity, pain intensity, satisfaction with the surgeon, and comfort with completing the B-APQ. We created multivariable linear regression models to test for associations. Results: Factors independently associated with less positive perceptions about aging included white race, retired work status, having nonspecific comorbidities, and more catastrophic thinking. Variation in the magnitude of limitations and pain intensity was accounted for by effectiveness of coping strategies rather than attitudes toward aging in particular. A 4-question version of the B-APQ has acceptable performance. Conclusion: Adaptive attitudes toward aging are associated with psychological and social determinants of health. We present a 4-item short form of B-APQ that could be used as a brief measure to assess attitudes toward aging. Interventions to improve adaptiveness to nociception (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy to limit catastrophic thinking) might help with adaptation to age-related changes.

Does Societal Cost Information Affect Patient Decision-Making in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite studies demonstrating the effects of out-of-pocket costs on decision-making, the effect of societal cost information on patient decision-making is unknown. Given the considerable societal impact of cost of care for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), providing societal cost data to patients with CTS could affect decision-making and provide a strategy for reducing national health care costs. Therefore, we assessed the following hypotheses: (1) there is no difference in treatment choice (surgery vs no surgery) in a hypothetical case of mild CTS between patients randomized to receive societal cost information compared with those who did not receive this information; (2) there are no factors (eg, sex, experience with a previous diagnosis of CTS, or receiving societal cost information) independently associated with the choice for surgery; and (3) there is no difference in attitudes toward health care costs between patients choosing surgery and those who did not. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial using a hypothetical scenario, we prospectively enrolled 184 new and return patients with a nontraumatic upper extremity diagnosis. We recorded patient demographics, treatment choice in the hypothetical case of mild CTS, and their attitudes toward health care costs. Results: Treatment choice was not affected by receiving societal cost information. None of the demographic or illness factors assessed were independently associated with the choice for surgery. Patients declining surgery felt more strongly that doctors should consider their out-of-pocket costs when making recommendations. Conclusions: Providing societal cost information does not seem to affect decision-making and may not reduce the overall health care costs. For patients with CTS, health policy could nudge toward better resource utilization and finding the best care pathways for nonoperative and invasive treatments.

Volar Tilt of the Lunate After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of a Distal Radius Fracture.

The pathophysiology of carpal adaptations after fracture of the distal radius is incompletely understood. We report 5 patients who had normal carpal alignment on injury radiographs that developed marked volar angulation of the lunate during recovery from volar plate fixation of a fracture of the distal radius. There were no signs of alteration of the carpal ligaments. Two patients had similar volar tilt on the contralateral side. The cause and optimal treatment of carpal malalignment after restoration distal radial alignment are unclear.

Pain during physical examination of a healing upper extremity fracture.

The evidence that symptom intensity and magnitude of limitations correlate with thoughts and emotions means that subjective signs, such as pain with physical examination, reflect both physical and mental health. During a 1-month evaluation of a rapidly healing upper extremity fracture with no risk of nonunion, 117 people completed measures of adaptiveness to pain and pain during the physical examination. Greater pain during examination correlated with less adaptive responses to pain and older age. This finding raises questions about using tenderness to assess fracture union.Level of evidence: II.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Decision Aids for Upper-Extremity Conditions.

PURPOSE: Decision aids (DAs) are tools designed to correct misconceptions, help people weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose an option consistent with their values. This randomized controlled trial tested the difference in decision regret between patients who reviewed a DA at the end of the visit and those who did not. Secondary study questions addressed differences in pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, satisfaction, physical function, and treatment choice. METHODS: We enrolled 147 patients who visited an orthopedic upper-extremity surgeon for a condition that could be treated surgically or nonsurgically. We randomized 76 of these patients to review a DA as part of the visit (52%). At baseline, we measured results using the Pain Self-Efficacy short form, PROMIS Physical Function computer adaptive test, pain intensity on an 11-point ordinal scale, and satisfaction with the visit on an 11-point ordinal scale, as well as whether patients understood all received information and felt adequately educated to decide (no/yes), and choice of surgery, injection, or another treatment. Four to six weeks later, the survey by phone consisted of the PROMIS Physical Function computer adaptive test, pain intensity, satisfaction with the visit, the sense of a well-informed decision, and the Decision Regret Scale. We assessed factors independently associated with each measure. RESULTS: People who reviewed a DA had significantly less decision regret 4 to 6 weeks after the visit compared with those who did not. High pain self-efficacy was associated with lower likelihood to choose surgery during the initial visit, better physical function rates, and lower reported pain. CONCLUSIONS: Decision aids reduce decision regret, which suggests that they help people organize their thoughts and make decisions more consistent with their values. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hand surgeons can consider the use of DAs as a method for improving the quality of shared decisions.

Does Intolerance of Uncertainty Affect the Magnitude of Limitations or Pain Intensity?

BACKGROUND: Intolerance of uncertainty-the tendency to overestimate the chance of and be unwilling to accept potential, but unlikely, negative outcomes in uncertain situations-is a cognitive construct that has been shown to affect symptoms and limitations for patients with traumatic and nontraumatic upper-extremity conditions. Cognitive flexibility and tolerance of uncertainty can be trained and practiced, with the potential to increase musculoskeletal health. However, to our knowledge, the degree to which intolerance of uncertainty might be associated with symptom intensity and the magnitude of limitations in adults with upper-extremity problems has not been characterized. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: After accounting for personal and social factors, is intolerance of uncertainty independently associated with (1) the magnitude of physical limitations and (2) pain intensity? METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 139 new and returning patients presenting to one of four orthopaedic offices in a large urban area completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (a validated measure of the level of comfort with uncertain situations), the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Physical Function Upper Extremity computer adaptive test (to measure the magnitude of limitations), and an 11-point ordinal measure of pain intensity. The mean age of the 139 participants was 51 years ± 16 years and 55% (76 of 139) were men. Participants presented to the clinics with a wide variety of upper-extremity conditions, such as trigger finger, distal radius fractures, lateral epicondylitis, or non-specific shoulder pain. We also assessed sex, race, marital status, education level, income, public versus private insurance, area deprivation index, and the participant's self-perception of their healthcare experience through a multiple-choice question (answer choices: none, some, a little, and a lot of experience). The following patient characteristics were more common in our study participants: white, employed, part of a married or unmarried couple, and private insurance coverage. We created two multivariable linear regression models to assess factors independently associated with the magnitude of limitations and pain intensity. RESULTS: After controlling for potentially confounding variables including sex, insurance, area deprivation index, and type of visit, we found that fewer physical limitations were associated with a greater intolerance of uncertainty (regression coefficient [ß] -0.30; 95% confidence interval, -0.50 to -0.10; p = 0.003; semi-partial r = 0.07; adjusted r for the full model = 0.16), as was being a man (ß 3.2; 95% CI, 0.08-6.3; p = 0.045; semi-partial r = 0.03) and having private insurance coverage (ß 5.2; 95% CI, 2.1-8.2; p = 0.001; semi-partial r = 0.08). After controlling for one important potentially confounding variable, the level of education, greater pain intensity was associated with a greater intolerance of uncertainty (ß 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.14; p = 0.009; semi-partial r = 0.05; adjusted r for the full model = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Intolerance of uncertainty-a byproduct of cognitive bias and error, which are elements of the normal functioning of the human mind-increases limitations and pain intensity across diagnoses, independent of demographic and social factors. Future studies can address the effect of strategies that incorporate mindset training (for example, cognitive behavioral therapy and its derivatives) on musculoskeletal symptoms and limitations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study.

Patient Perspectives on Decision Making for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Interventions that improve a patient's understanding of the problem and their options might reduce surgeon-to-surgeon variation, activate healthier patient behaviors and mindset, and optimize stewardship of resources while improving quality of care. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have more uncertainty about which course of action to take (so-called decision conflict) than hand surgeons. We studied patient preferences regarding shared decision making (SDM) for different parts of the treatment for CTS. We assessed the following hypotheses: (1) Younger age does not correlate with a preference for greater involvement in decisions; (2) Demographic and socioeconomic factors are not independently associated with (A) preferences for decision making (separated into preoperative, operative, postoperative, and the full SDM scale) and (B) the Control Preference Scale; (3) the SDM scale does not correlate with the Control Preference Scale. METHODS: We prospectively invited 113 new and postoperative patients with CTS to participate in the study. We recorded their demographics and they completed the SDM scale and the Control Preference Scale. RESULTS: The full SDM scale and all subsets showed a patient preference toward sharing the decisions for treatment with the surgeon with a moderate tendency toward patients wanting more surgeon involvement in decision making. On multivariable analysis, having commercial insurance compared with Medicare was independently associated with a preference for less surgeon involvement (ie, higher SDM scores) in decision making (regression coefficient, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CTS generally prefer to share decisions with their surgeon with a tendency for more surgeon involvement especially in the operative and postoperative period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decision aids and preference elicitation tools used to ensure diagnostic and treatment decisions for CTS that are aligned with patient preferences are needed. Future studies might address the routine use of these tools on patient outcomes.