title: Effectiveness of cast immobilization in comparison to the gold-standard self-removal orthotic intervention for closed mallet fingers: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although orthotic immobilization has become the preferable treatment choice for closed mallet injuries, it is unclear whether orthosis self-removal has an impact on the final outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment efficacy of cast immobilization of closed mallet fingers using Quickcast(®) (QC) compared to a removable, lever-type thermoplastic orthosis (LTTP).
  
  
  METHODS
  57 subjects were randomized in 2 groups. DIPj extensor lag and the Gaberman success scale were used as primary outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LTTP subjects resulted in greater extensor lag than QC subjects (x = 5°; p = 0.05) at 12 weeks from baseline, and high edema and older age negatively affected DIPj extensor lag. No other differences were found between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cast immobilization seems to be slightly more effective than the traditional approach probably for its greater capacity to reduce edema.
  
  
  METHODS
  1B.
authors: Studio Terapico Kaiser, Via Trento 15/A, 43100 Parma, Italy. silvio.tocco@libero.it
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Tocco
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Boccolari
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Landi
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Leonelli
authors: Catia
authors: C
authors: Mercanti
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Pogliacomi
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Sartini
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Zingarello
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Nedelec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Conservative; Mallet; Quickcast; RCT; Treatment