A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research has shed light on the genetics of thumb arthritis treatment. Rhizarthrosis, also known as trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, is a form of osteoarthritis that affects the thumb, with treatment options ranging from splints to surgery.
The study, which involved 1,083 surgical patients and 1,888 nonsurgical patients with rhizarthrosis, as well as 205,371 controls without osteoarthritis, revealed various genetic differences between individuals who undergo surgery for their condition and those who opt for nonsurgical treatments.
Researchers identified 7 genetic variants associated with surgical rhizarthrosis and 3 variants suggestively associated with nonsurgical rhizarthrosis. These findings suggest a potential genetic influence on the need for surgery, providing insights into the genetic architecture of osteoarthritis in the thumb base.
Cecilie Henkel, MD, PhD, corresponding author of Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre in Denmark, emphasized that while no solid conclusions about the effect of specific genetic variants on the need for surgical treatment should be made at this stage, the study marks a stride towards integrating genetic insights into the clinical management of osteoarthritis. The long-term aim is to refine diagnosis, treatment, and preventative strategies for this common and debilitating disease.
This study paves the way for potential advancements in the understanding and management of osteoarthritis, offering hope for improved treatment approaches in the future.
