Abstract
Wollstein R, Rodgers J, Ogden T, Loeffler J, Pearlman J. A novel splint for proximal
interphalangeal joint contractures: a case report.
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures are notoriously difficult to treat.
Best results are obtained with early mobilization and splinting, though a high level
of adherence is critical for a good outcome. A new roll-on splint that aims to increase
motion with minimal difficulty was used. The patient described here with moderate
PIP joint contractures (30°–60°) was treated successfully using this splint. The splint
design and therapy protocol are described. The patient was treated for 12 weeks with
good adherence to therapy and splinting. Total active motion increased by 87% in the
index finger and 108% in the ring finger. Grip, pinch, and tip-pinch strengths increased.
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score improved from 26.7% to 2.5%.
At 3 months, the patient returned to work. Though this case illustrates some of the
advantages and disadvantages of the new splint, further study is necessary to evaluate
the splint and compare it with other existing forms of treatment for PIP joint contractures.
Key Words
List of Abbreviations:
DIP (distal interphalangeal), PIP (proximal interphalangeal), ROM (range of motion), TERT (total end range time)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 06, 2012
Footnotes
Support by the Veterans Administration Rehabilitation research and development, Competitive Pilot Project Fund.
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
Wollstein, Pearlman, and Ogden have been granted a provisional patent for the splint.
Reprints are not available from the author.
In-press corrected proof published online on Jun 9, 2012, at www.archives-pmr.org.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
