title: Timely manner application of hand orthoses to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the atrophy of hand muscles often causes impairment of thumb/finger motion and disabilities in their activities of daily living. Hand orthoses are effective for such impairment and disabilities; however, there are some difficulties in their application.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case report, we present the timely application of hand orthoses and introduce our clinical algorithm for the application of hand orthoses to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our clinical algorithm was applied to 11 patients. The numbers of applications and the durations of the use of orthoses were as follows: 4, web spacer; 4, short thumb spica; 8, long thumb spica; and 2, cock-up splint; and 2.75, 2.0, 0.63, and 2.0 months, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical algorithm for the application of hand orthoses is helpful in choosing the optimal orthoses and contributes to maximizing patients' function, independence, and quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand orthoses are useful for improving the activities of daily living of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The clinical algorithm might be helpful for many physicians in choosing the optimal orthoses in a timely manner.
authors.affiliation: Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan reh030@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Osaka Medical College Hospital, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horaiya
authors.affiliation: Okuma Central Hospital, Amagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akagi
authors.affiliation: Okuma Central Hospital, Amagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Nagatoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kihoin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; clinical algorithm; hand orthosis