Sex differences in orthosis wear on pain, function, and grip in patients with thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis

Introduction To our knowledge, no previous studies have directly compared the effects of orthosis wear in males and females with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze whether there are differences between males and females in pain, hand function, and grip strength following hand-based orthosis wear. Methods The study included 14 male and 14 female participants with first- and second-degree CMC joint osteoarthritis. A hand-based orthosis was custom-molded for each participant. Pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength were evaluated at baseline and after a 6-week period of orthosis wear. Results Twenty-eight participants (mean age: males 64.6 ± 5.1 years; females 63.5 ± 3.2 years) completed the study. After 6 weeks of orthosis use, both males and females showed significant improvements in grip strength, pinch strength, hand function, daily activity performance, and pain reduction (all p < .05). Although both sexes benefited similarly in grip strength, pain, and function, females reported significantly greater improvement in satisfaction with hand function ( p = .020). Mean adherence was 84.75%, with higher compliance observed in females. Conclusion Although both groups experienced significant improvements in pain, function, grip strength, pinch strength, and overall satisfaction with orthosis wear, greater improvement in satisfaction with hand function was observed among females.