Effectiveness of Finger Splints

Swan neck deformity is a common hand impairment seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), causing instability at the finger joints . This condition can be debilitating and can significantly impact hand function and quality of life. Finger splints are a widely used intervention for swan neck deformity, but there is limited evidence of their effectiveness. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two types of finger splints in treating swan neck deformity in RA patients: prefabricated thermoplastic splints (PTS) and silver ring splints (SRS).

The study was a randomised, cross-over trial involving 50 participants with RA and swan neck deformity. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group received a plastic swan neck splint for four weeks, followed by a silver ring splint for another four weeks, while the other group first received the silver ring splint , followed by the plastic splint. At the end of each four-week period, hand function, pain, and satisfaction with the splint were measured.

The results showed that both types of splints significantly improved hand function and reduced pain when compared to baseline measurements. However, the silver ring splint was more effective than the plastic swan neck splint in improving hand function and reducing pain. Participants also reported higher satisfaction with the silver ring splints.

The study provides important insights into the effectiveness of different finger splints for treating swan neck deformity in RA patients. The findings suggest that silver ring splints may be more effective than plastic swan neck splints for improving hand function and reducing pain and may be a better choice for patients with swan neck deformity. The authors note that the use of silver ring splints should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with swan neck deformity.

The study has several strengths, including the randomised, cross-over design, which allowed for a direct comparison of the two types of splints. The use of validated outcome measures to assess hand function and pain also enhances the validity of the results. However, there are some limitations, including the relatively short intervention period (four weeks), which may not be sufficient to capture long-term changes in hand function and pain. Additionally, the study only included participants with RA, so the findings cannot be generalised to other populations presenting with a swan neck deformity of the fingers.

Overall, the study provides important evidence on the effectiveness of different finger splints for treating swan neck deformity in RA patients. The findings highlight the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of different types of splints and their effectiveness in other populations with swan neck deformity. In conclusion, the study supports the effectiveness of using Silversplints to treat swan neck deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings suggest that silver ring splints should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to improve hand function, reduce pain, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/art.24866