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J Wrist Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2644-3006
Special Review Article

Challenges in Measuring Outcomes in the Wrist

Ronit Wollstein 
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
,
Adi Wollstein
3   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
,
Esther Voegelin
4   Department of Plastic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
,
Sarah Ewald
5   Citie Handtherapie, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract

Background

Evaluating any new treatment for a wrist condition is difficult because the trueoutcome is difficult to assess. Outcomes are dependent on multiple factors, many of which we are unable to account for or to measure. As a result, there are multiple methods, each evaluating results differently. Furthermore, many of the tests/measures that do exist are tedious to apply and, in an increasingly demanding work environment, are not utilized unless they are used for research.

Aim and Purposes

We review some existing outcome tools and the challenges to measuring outcomes in the wrist, as well as discuss a small series using a consensus tool.

Materials and Methods

This is a review with a description and series of one method to evaluate outcomes in wrist surgery.

Conclusion

Generalized agreement to a collection of patient and condition-specific tools will enable true outcome measurement, accurate comparison, and ultimately standardization and guidelines.

Level of Evidence

Level V

Keywords

consensus - measurement tools - outcomes - wrist

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 27 May 2025

Accepted: 26 June 2025

Article published online:
14 July 2025

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