Development of a Dynamic Traction and Flexion Splint for MP joint Extension Contractures

Abstract

Collateral ligament shortening is a major cause of metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint extension contractures. Although we previously developed a rotational dynamic splint (hereafter, RDT-type splint) for stretched collateral ligaments, it did not exert traction on the palmar side of the MP joint. In the present study, we developed a pneumatic dynamic flexion and traction splint (hereafter, DTF-type splint) to circumvent this issue. To evaluate the improved properties of the new splint, we compared muscle reaction, finger blood flow, and Visual Analog Scale-score. Joint space was evaluated with CT images. Our results suggest that the DTF-type splint has low effect to give healthy human fingers and the whole MP joint is pulled.