Article

AIM: To analyze the effects of serial casting (SC) in the treatment of proximal
interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion contractures in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
case-series. METHODS: The data of 18 patients treated with SC were obtained from
their patient records. The angular changes in the finger joints were analyzed and
compared statistically using t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 49 fingers were
serially casted with plaster of Paris over a 14-year period. The SC resulted in
significant (26.8 degrees ; p < 0.001) reduction in the PIP joint extension loss.
Small, but statistically significant, losses in flexion were associated with
these gains. (p < 0.001). Angular changes were also observed in the other finger
joints. The magnitude of the initial extension loss was the only factor to
explain the amount of motion gained (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.38). CONCLUSION: SC is an
effective method to correct flexion contractures in PIP joints in selected
patients with arthritis. The gain is partially related to the magnitude of
initial extension loss.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
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Langue : ANGLAIS