title: Severe contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint in Dupuytren's disease: results of a prospective trial of operative correction and dynamic extension splinting.
abstract: In a prospective study, 23 proximal interphalangeal joints that were severely contracted (> or = 45 degrees) as a result of Dupuytren's disease underwent operative correction and 6 months of dynamic extension splinting. Proximal interphalangeal joint extension was measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 3-month intervals for 1 year and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Mean follow-up was 2 years (minimum, 1 year). Overall, at 2 years, 44% improvement in proximal interphalangeal joint extension was noted. Mean improvement of 59% in proximal interphalangeal joint extension was noted in patients who complied with the postoperative dynamic extension splinting program. Patients who were noncomplaint demonstrated a 25% improvement in proximal interphalangeal joint extension. The difference in values between patients who were compliant and those who were not was statistically significant. Other factors--severity of contracture, digit involved, and the necessity for capsular release--were not significantly related to outcome. This study suggests that soft tissue responds to continuous dynamic extension stresses and can be remodeled over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rives
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gelberman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013165:Splints / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome