New Publication: The Impact of Occupational Therapy on Patient Outcomes Following Total Wrist Arthroplasty
We are pleased to announce that our latest research has been accepted for publication in HAND (accepted August 4, 2026).
Occupational therapy is widely recognized as an important part of recovery following hand and upper extremity surgery, yet not all patients have access to it. In this study, our team examined outcomes for patients who underwent total wrist arthroplasty, comparing those who received specialized occupational therapy to those who did not.
While one might assume that forgoing therapy would lead to more complications and higher costs, our findings tell a more nuanced story: overall costs were comparable between the two groups. However, patients who received specialized occupational therapy experienced fewer complications and better overall outcomes. These results support the value of occupational therapy as a component of care following total wrist arthroplasty, and suggest that broader access to therapy services may improve patient outcomes without necessarily increasing overall costs.
Authors: Sofia Restrepo, BA; Tantien Nguyen, BS; Victor T. Hung, MD; Joseph Cutrone, MD; Daniel Bailey, MD; Colt Crymes, MD; Alfred Hess, MD
Congratulations to the entire team on this achievement.