Traction Orthosis for Oblique Proximal Phalangeal Fractures
- Conditions
- Finger FractureTraumaFractures, Bone
- Interventions
- Other: Traction orthosis
- Registration Number
- NCT04298385
- Lead Sponsor
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Brief Summary
The term Ligamentotaxis is used to define the method of distal traction to realign joint surfaces and reduce articular fragments after complex fractures.
Traction and mobilization can be combined to help deliver the best outcome.
This study will present a dynamic traction orthosis design with the aim that it is easy-to-make, non-invasive, low-profile and allow for ease in performing active and passive exercises. The clinical effectiveness of this method will be examined by analyzing treatment outcomes in a case series cohort.
- Detailed Description
The term Ligamentotaxis is used to define the method of distal traction to realign joint surfaces and reduce articular fragments after complex fractures. In the management of complex finger fractures, ligamentotaxis has been used to favourably help fracture alignment and reduction, range of movement (ROM), pain, grip and function. Traction has been applied via nail anchors skin traction and Kirschner wires.
Phalangeal fractures are at risk of chronic stiffness when immobilised. Early mobilization seeks to achieve the best outcome for the patient as it will aid healing, promote cartilage regeneration, help prevent adhesions and optimize range of movement. Mobilisation of phalangeal fractures as soon as possible after open reduction internal fixation has shown to produce greater total range of movement at six weeks post-operatively. Traction and mobilization can be combined to help deliver the best outcome however dynamic traction orthoses tend to be "high-profile". This can cause difficulties in activities of daily living and can be perceived negatively by users. Most dynamic traction orthoses use Kirschner wires which have the potential complication of loosening and pin site infection.
Two methods report good outcomes using the less invasive and less expensive means of tape and nail traction respectively. The Early Active Vector Adjustable Skin Traction (EAVAST) orthosis has no reported issues using adhesive tape though the patient is required to remove the orthosis to perform exercises. This removes any stability offered by the orthosis during the early phases of healing. The Poole traction orthosis is well-established in some centres with reported good outcomes however nail traction has the potential complication of nail bed haematoma or nail avulsion.
A recent orthosis design by the Chief Investigator aspired to be non-invasive, low-profile and allow for ease when performing exercises. However, this design may be deemed too time consuming to make, particularly for the inexperienced therapist in a busy clinic. This study will present a further iteration of the dynamic traction orthosis with the aim that it is easy-to-make, non-invasive, low-profile and allow for ease in performing active and passive exercises. The clinical effectiveness of this method will be examined by analyzing treatment outcomes in a case series cohort.
The new orthosis design will be easy to fabricate and can be produced with common materials and tools in a hand therapy clinic. It offers a non-invasive approach to dynamic traction and simultaneously is easy to perform a variety of tendon glides and active and passive exercises. It also reduces the risk associated with nail traction and pinning. It is low-profile ensuring range of motion is maintained in non-affected joints and helps participation in activities of daily living. The proposed case series will illustrate this method and explore its clinical application by presenting outcomes.
Though a recent scoping review reports that research addressing traction orthoses and constructs consists of primarily low-quality studies and no consensus on the their effect on different fracture classifications, this small study will act as a feasibility study to assess the orthosis design with a focus on displaced oblique proximal phalangeal fractures or potentially unstable oblique proximally phalangeal fractures
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 10
- Participants aged 18 years and over who are able to provide informed consent and independently comply with the orthosis and exercise regime
- A recent oblique proximal phalangeal fracture that is displaced or has the potential to become unstable. The decision for trial of a dynamic traction orthosis must be made by the orthopaedic surgeon
- No history of trauma or disease to the affected hand
-
A fracture which is more than 10 days from injury
- An open wound around the affected digit
- A history of allergic reactions to plasters
- Eczema or dermatitis to the affected hand
- The presence of sensory loss to the affected digit
- Ligament or tendon injury that will contra-indicate early mobilisation
- Transverse proximal phalanx fractures
- A tattoo to the affected hand that may prevent anonymity when producing photographs
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Individuals with oblique proximal phalanx fractures of finger Traction orthosis Traction orthosis and exercise
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Range of motion up to three months post intervention Goniometer: Measures in degrees range of movement of a joint
Pain and function up to three months post intervention Patient Related Wrist Hand Evaluation: a Likert scale that measure pain and function on a total score of 0-100
Grip up to three months post intervention Dynamometer: measure hand grip in Ibs and can be compared to normative data
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method