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Finger extension stiffness is a common post-traumatic complication that results in the hand's functional impairment. In clinical practice, a dynamic splint enables the patient to stretch the affected finger independently. However, current dynamic splints have drawbacks, such as limited stretching efficacy, and interfere with the hand's functional activities. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a dynamic finger flexion orthosis capable of stretching each finger joint using additive manufacturing (AM) technology, thereby enabling hand functional activity, and analyze the clinical improvement in the range of motion (ROM). One subject with a hand fracture was recruited while undergoing a 7-week home-based rehabilitation program for the orthosis. The outcome measurements included the total active motion (TAM), the tip-to-finger distance (TPD), and the score on the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The results show that the TAM of the participant's fingers increased by 72.7 degrees on average, the TPD decreased by 3.5 cm on average, and the DASH score decreased to 9.5 points. The 7-week home-based rehabilitation program for the orthosis resulted in a 53.6% increase in the TAM on average. The developed orthosis improved hand function and enabled a more complete ROM in finger flexion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: K‐wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K‐wires with the K‐wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated, while functional outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Patients with at least 1 year follow‐up were analyzed. The preoperative and postoperative functional results were analyzed using the paired t‐test. Results: Arthrodesis union was achieved in 41/43 joints (95.3%). We treated 10 thumb IP joints and 33 finger DIP joints, for which the underlying cause was osteoarthritis and trauma in 37 and six digits, respectively. The average time of K‐wire removal was 8.9 (range, 7–10) weeks after surgery. Twenty‐four patients (27 joints; 22 women, two men) had at least 1 year follow‐up (mean 15.9; range, 12.5–40.8) months. For patients with bone healing, the VAS score improved from 6.6 (range, 5–8) to 0.6 (range, 0–1) (p < 0.001), and the QuickDASH score improved from 57.9 (range, 31.8–77.3) to 14.7 (range, 6.8–20.5) (p < 0.001) at final follow‐up. Both of the two failure cases were in the thumb. There were no other complications. Conclusions: This technique is simple and cost‐effective and achieves a good union rate. The advantages include the ability to choose variable K‐wire sizes according to the size of the medullary canal and the ease of postoperative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-standing trigger finger can lead to proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion contracture. In the present study, we present the clinical outcome of percutaneous release with finger splinting for trigger finger with PIP joint flexion contracture prospectively. Methods: We compared outcomes in patients with trigger fingers combined with proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture treated by percutaneous release therapy regimen alone (group I) or percutaneous trigger finger release combined with finger splint (group II) during January 2011 and May 2016 with 6 months follow up. Results: Sixty-five patients were randomly allocated to group I (35 patients) or group II (30 patients). Symptoms of locking sensation and pain over the A1 pulley were improved in all patients. The patients in group II showed significantly greater improvements in the flexion contracture angles of proximal interphalangeal joint at post-operative 3 months later (group I, 9.4° ± 4.1°; group II, 27.8° ± 4.6°) and at 6 months later (group I, 15.1° ± 5.2°; group II, 35.7° ± 5.3°) relative to group I. In group II, 25 fingers achieved near full extension (< 10° contracture) after 6 months. Conclusions: Percutaneous release combined with finger splint is regarded as a useful therapy to speed recovery of trigger finger with proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]