Article

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of prefabricated and
custom made thumb splints on pain, function, grip strength and key pinch In
patients with basilar joint osteoarthritis. METHOD: Volunteer patients (n = 35)
with first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis were assigned randomly to wear
either a prefabricated or custom-made thumb splint or assigned to a control
group. This was designed as a cross over study with two 4-week treatment periods,
2 weeks of wash out time for intervention groups between the test conditions and
10-weeks follow-up for the control group. All parameters were measured at the
first visit and during the 4th, 6th and 10th weeks In the three groups. RESULTS:
In the control group, paIn increased and pinch strength decreased but no
statistically significant differences were found In function and grip strength.
Both splints changed grip strength with no significant differences between them.
PaIn was reduced with the splints, and functions and pinch strength increased
significantly as compared to the baseline and control groups. In comparing the
two splints only significant differences were observed In pain. CONCLUSION: In
comparing two splints, paIn was the only significantly different parameter
between tested parameters; with the custom-made splints demonstrating better
results In paIn reduction.

Langue : ANGLAIS