Effects of splinting in the treatment of hand contractures in progressive systemic sclerosis

One of the major factors in the decreasing functional ability of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis is involvement of the patient's hands with secondary immobility and contractures. In a 2-month study of 19 patients, we assessed whether dynamic splinting could decrease proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion contractures. Of the eight patients who completed the study, one experienced a statistically significant improvement in PIP range of motion as a result of the splinting. There was no evidence that the use of the splints served to maintain PIP extension when compared with the control hand.