Hand functions response to static progressive splinting in post burn fingers contracture / Akram Ahmed Maher Hussein ; Supervised Amal Mohamed Abdelbaky , Mohamed Ahmad Ellabban

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Purpose: The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of applying static progressive splinting to improve hand functions in post-burn finger contractures. Subjects and Methods: This study included a total of 60 patients, who completed their initial acute treatment in burn department and referred to the hand therapy clinic after 6 months from injury and they had burn on the dorsal portion of the hand with limited flexion range of motion (ROM) at the Meta-Carbo-Phalangeal (MCP) joints. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups (30 patients for each); Group A (splint group): were put on custom made static progressive flexion splints (SPS), in addition to physical therapy and medical treatment throughout the study period (8 weeks). Group B (Control group): received their physical therapy and medical treatment only. The burned hand was evaluated pre and post intervention by measuring the MCP passive ROM, grip strength, and employing Jebsen-Taylor hand function test to evaluate the patients' overall hand functions. Results: A statistically significant increase in all variables were observed in both groups (p<0.05), with greater increase of the measured variables (PROM, grip strength, and Jebsen) in group (A). Conclusion: SPS coupled with physical therapy can optimally improve the hand function in patients who have restricted knuckles PROM after burn injuries

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