This study aimes to analyze the effectiveness of a Hand Therapy protocol in the management of patients who suffer from a tear of a lumbrical muscle, regarding on the symptoms during the clinical examination, the disability in their activities of daily living and the sports-specific function.
A prospective intervention study is performed on 50 adult climbers suffering from an injury of the 4th lumbrical muscle. They wear during 3 weeks a 5th finger extension relative motion orthosis, while pain-free sport activities are permitted using a 4th and 5th fingers buddy-taping. After three weeks, patients are told to progressively remove the splint and, after six weeks, the splint is totally removed. Symptoms in the lumbrical stress test are evaluated during the 6 weeks period using dynamometry and goniometry, Finally, Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand questionnaire is also analyzed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Relative motion splinting protocol
Hand Therapy Barcelona
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
RECRUITINGDinamometry in lumbrical stress test
Symptoms in the lumbrical stress test will be evaluated during the 6 weeks period using an adapted Jamar handgrip dynamometer on a climbing hold. The climber is told to pull on the hold until the pain starts.
Time frame: It will be evaluated at 6 weeks
Goniometry in lumbrical stress test
Finger flexion metacarpophalangeal joint goniometry of the 5th finger is measured during the lumbrical stress test when pain appears
Time frame: It will be evaluated at 6 weeks
Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand questionnaire
Participants will be asked to answer "Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand" questionnaire before the clinical examination. In "Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand" each item has response options and, from the item scores, scale scores are calculated, raning from o (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).
Time frame: It will be evaluated at 6 weeks
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