Thumb Osteoarthritis Prognosis for Supported Self-managment

Background Thumb base osteoarthritis (OA) is common in adults 40 years and over. It affects a person's ability to work, be independent and care for others. Sufferers complain of severe pain and difficulty in completing everyday tasks. The main treatment for the condition is advice on how a person can manage their condition (self-management), reduce their pain, strengthen their hands with exercises and practical tips on tackling painful tasks, sometimes providing a hand splint for support. The treatment is provided by occupational and physiotherapists. We know that this treatment helps suffers in the short term (up to three months). But the research was done in people with few other health problems and while self-management support helps provide pain relief for most people, there are some people who don't benefit. The aim of this research is to see how pain and other hand problems change over a period of six months after the start of treatment, to understand people's experience of care, and examine why some people improve, and some do not. Research Plan In patients receiving treatment for thumb base OA at four NHS sites, who are willing to take part, this research will: - 1. Record changes in symptoms and quality of life at three and six months from when treatment began in a postal questionnaire/survey. 2. Discuss the experience of care and people's beliefs about what makes treatment a success by interviewing a small group of patients. 3. Analyse patient characteristics, to see if it is possible to determine how they will respond to treatment. 4. Develop recommendations for improving care.