Changes in impairment and function after static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Hand Surgery

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are common injuries.
• Stiffness is a frequent complication following distal radius fractures, impacting function.
• Static progressive splinting is a conservative treatment modality for joint stiffness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of static progressive splinting in improving range of motion, grip strength, and functional outcomes.
• To assess changes in wrist and forearm motion, grip strength, and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores.
• To explore the correlation between specific motion improvements and functional recovery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 25 patients treated with static progressive splinting for post-distal radius fracture stiffness.
• Collection of pre- and post-splinting data on wrist/forearm range of motion, grip strength, and DASH scores.
• Statistical analysis using Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test and Spearman correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in wrist extension (18.6 degrees) and flexion (11.4 degrees).
• Forearm pronation (20.0 degrees) and supination (14.5 degrees) also showed significant gains.
• Grip strength increased by 24.5 pounds, and the median DASH score improved from 43 to 19.
• Wrist extension and forearm supination demonstrated significant negative correlations with DASH scores, indicating better function with greater motion.

Conclusions:

• Static progressive splinting is an effective treatment for improving range of motion and grip strength after distal radius fracture.
• Improvements in specific movements, particularly wrist extension and forearm supination, are strongly associated with better functional recovery.
• The findings support the use of static progressive splinting in the management of stiffness following distal radius fractures.