title: Effects of splinting in the treatment of hand contractures in progressive systemic sclerosis.
abstract: One of the major factors in the decreasing functional ability of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis is involvement of the patient's hands with secondary immobility and contractures. In a 2-month study of 19 patients, we assessed whether dynamic splinting could decrease proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion contractures. Of the eight patients who completed the study, one experienced a statistically significant improvement in PIP range of motion as a result of the splinting. There was no evidence that the use of the splints served to maintain PIP extension when compared with the control hand.
mesh_terms: D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D013165:Splints