Self-Assisted Finger Stiffness Splint (SFSS)

TL;DR

A new splint called SFSS helps people with stiff fingers recover by letting them do their own stretching exercises, improving recovery and hand function.

Contribution

The SFSS is a novel dynamic splint enabling self-administered finger movement for rehabilitation.

Findings

SFSS allows patients to perform self-administered stretching exercises for finger stiffness.

It is effective for post-trauma and postoperative rehabilitation, including tenolysis and fracture healing.

SFSS is useful for both isolated and multiple-digit stiffness, particularly at PIPJ and MCPJ.

Abstract

Finger stiffness may arise from injuries, surgeries, or hand-related medical conditions, impacting hand function and overall well-being in daily life. Rehabilitation and hand therapy play a crucial role in restoring optimal range of motion, strength, and functionality. This article introduces the Self-Assisted Finger Stiffness Splint (SFSS), a dynamic splint designed for active finger movement applicable in post-trauma or postoperative rehabilitation. SFSS empowers patients to perform self-administered stretching exercises, expediting recovery and improving compliance. Its versatility extends to postoperative rehabilitation, covering cases like tenolysis of extensor tendons or rehabilitation after fracture healing. While particularly effective for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) stiffness, SFSS remains valuable for managing isolated finger stiffness and proves beneficial in addressing multiple-digit stiffness.

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