title: The effect of thumb splinting on thenar muscles atrophy, pain, and function in subjects with thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When the first carpometacarpal joint of the wrist is immobilized using an orthosis to combat the effects of osteoarthritis, atrophy of the thenar muscles may occur.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the thenar muscle diameter and cross-sectional area, joint function, and pain, before and after being supplied with an orthosis in patients with grades 1 and 2 carpometacarpal osteoarthritis compared to a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 volunteer patients were randomized into two groups (an orthosis group and a control group) using a randomization table. A visual analog scale, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire, and ultrasound were used to measure pain, function, and specific muscle cross-sectional areas at baseline and after 4 weeks in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean visual analog scale pain scores decreased by 20% after 4 weeks of splinting, while those in the control group decreased by 3%. Changes in scores were significantly different between both groups ( p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in either the Michigan Hand Questionnaire score or the muscle cross-sectional area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large and significant effect on perceived pain in patients with first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis was observed after 4 weeks of splint use. Differences in treatment effects were found with regard to muscle cross-sectional areas, but these were not significant. Clinical relevance Custom-made splints may be recommended for the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Moderate to large but non-significant treatment effects were found with regard to muscle cross-sectional areas.
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|2 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mohaddeseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soflaei
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Monireh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadi Bani
authors.affiliation: 3 Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Pezhman
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.affiliation: 4 Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mahsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sattari
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biglarian
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mosallanezhad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013165:Splints; D013933:Thumb; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Custom-made orthosis; grip strength; hand function; pinch strength; the first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis