title: A custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization: an orthosis that promotes function and improvement in patients with the first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with mild to moderate first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis report pain, a reduction in pinch and grip strength and hand function. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization on pain, function, grip strength, and key pinch in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 11 volunteer patients participated in this study. All the above-mentioned parameters were evaluated at baseline and also 30, 60, and 90 days after using the splint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A decrease in pain was observed after 30 days, and this continued to improve during treatment with the splint. After 90 days of using the splint, grip strength was improved. Function and pinch strength also increased significantly and was maintained during the study period compared to baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization may be a suitable conservative approach for the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Monireh Ahmadi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.forename: Stephen William
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.forename: Fereydoun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Layeghi
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahramizadeh
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mardani
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009387:Neoprene; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013933:Thumb / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009387:Neoprene
keywords: Custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization; grip strength; hand function; the first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis