title: Pneumatic-type dynamic traction and flexion splint for treating patients with extension contracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Collateral ligament shortening causes extension contractures of the metacarpophalangeal joint, and dynamic flexion splinting has been widely used to treat these contractures; however, there are various problems with these approaches. We developed a novel, pneumatic-type dynamic traction and flexion splint to solve these problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 fingers were treated with the dynamic traction and flexion splint for 8 weeks. Every 2 weeks, the average metacarpophalangeal joint flexion angle, total active motion, grasp strength, and pain scores were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The finger flexion angle was significantly greater at the final evaluation, starting after 6 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05), than prior to treatment. Similarly, the total active motion results improved significantly over 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that use of the dynamic traction and flexion splint improves patient finger functioning and flexural angle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dynamic traction and flexion (DTF) splint appears to be effective for treating patients.
authors.affiliation: Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan nakayama-kanrou.hp@live.jp.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.affiliation: Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mituru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horiki
authors.affiliation: Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kakurou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Denno
authors.affiliation: Daiya Industry Co., Ltd, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.affiliation: Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.affiliation: Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Domen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013165:Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Extension contracture; dynamic splint; metacarpophalangeal joint; pneumatic artificial muscle