title: Evaluation of a thermoplastic splint to protect the proximal interphalangeal joints of volleyball players.
abstract: Due to the extreme forces to which they are exposed, hand injuries are common in volleyball players. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and physical tolerance of a thermoplastic splint developed to prevent proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint hyperextension during play. The PIP-joint splint was tested by 20 semiprofessional volleyball players (12 women and eight men), all of whom had been using functional taping, and whose court positions exposed them to possible PIP-joint injuries. After four consecutive training sessions and one match, effectiveness (rigidity and durability) of the splint was assessed by measuring any variation of its angle and subjective acceptance of the orthosis was investigated by a questionnaire. After three months, the athletes were asked whether they still used the splint, and, if so, how often. The results indicate that this inexpensive device is effective, does not hinder any volleyball maneuver, and resolves the drawbacks of taping.
authors.affiliation: Clinica del Lavoro Foundation, IRCCS, Medical Center of Rehabilitation, Veruno, Italy.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Benaglia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sartorio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ingenito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D013165:Splints; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation