title: Changes in impairment and function after static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe changes in range of motion, grip strength, and function in subjects treated with static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture. A retrospective review was conducted on 25 patients; outcomes reviewed included wrist/forearm motion, grip strength and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. The Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test was used to assess differences between pre-/postsplinting outcome measurements. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for the DASH scores with each of the other measurements. Wrist extension and flexion improved 18.6 (p<0.0001) and 11.4 degrees (p<0.0001), respectively. Forearm pronation and supination improved 20.0 (p<0.0001) and 14.5 degrees (p<0.0001), respectively. Grip strength improved 24.5 pounds (p=0.0012). The median DASH score improved from 43 to 19 (p>0.0001). DASH scores demonstrated a significant negative correlation with wrist extension (r=-0.50, p=0.011) and forearm supination (r=-0.47, p=0.02). Increased wrist extension and supination correlated with better functional outcome as reflected by the DASH scores.
authors.affiliation: Meadows Physical Therapy and Hand Clinic, 1430 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044, USA. alucado@comcast.net
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lucado
authors.forename: Zhongyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gregory B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papadonikolakis
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ruch
mesh_terms: D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013484:Supination; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*