Custom-made finger splint versus prefabricated finger splint: finger flexion stabilization

OBJECTIVE: Finger splints are used as a treatment option in tendon, bone, and soft tissue injuries. For immobilization, custom-made splints and prefabricated finger splints are used. In splints made for immobilization, it is aimed to limit joint movement. The aim of our study is to reveal how much custom-made splints and prefabricated finger splints limit joint motion (flexion angle in proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints). METHODS: Custom-made splints and prefabricated finger splints were applied to the second fingers of the dominant side in a total of 40 individuals, 20 women and 20 men, not having any health problems. Individuals were asked to flex and joint motion was measured with the iPhone compass application. RESULTS: The mean distal interphalangeal joint angle values of the participants measured by prefabricated finger splints were found to be 24.27±8.29, and the mean distal interphalangeal joint angle values measured by custom-made splints was 0.52±1.50. There was a difference between the participants’ distal interphalangeal joint angle values measured by prefabricated finger splints and custom-made splints (p<0.001). distal interphalangeal joint angle values measured with custom-made splints were significantly smaller than those measured with prefabricated finger splint. The mean of the participants’ proximal interphalangeal joint angle values measured by prefabricated finger splints was 16.55±7.90, and the proximal interphalangeal joint angle values measured by custom-made splints was “0” for all participants. There was a difference between the participants’ proximal interphalangeal joint angle values measured by prefabricated finger splints and custom-made splints (p<0.001). Distal interphalangeal joint angle values measured with custom-made splints were significantly smaller than those measured with prefabricated finger splints. CONCLUSION: According to our study, custom-made splints can significantly reduce the flexion of the finger interphalangeal joints compared to prefabricated finger splints.