Comparison of Custom-made Versus Prefabricated Thumb Splinting for Carpometacarpal Arthrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Filed under Reviews, Uncategorized
Baradaran, A., Baradaran, A., Ebrahimzadeh, M. H., Kachooei, A. R., Rivlin, M., & Beredjiklian, P. (2018). Comparison of Custom-made Versus Prefabricated Splint for Carpometacarpal Arthrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The archives of bone and joint surgery, 6(6), 478–485.
Article Review By: Dalton Busch
The Skinny – A systematic review and meta-analysis were composed to compare the effectiveness of prefabricated orthoses versus a custom-made thermoplastic splint. The splints were created to manage carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA). A total of five randomized clinical trials with a total of 230 patients were analyzed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
In the weeds – Within the five randomized controlled trials, the researchers analyzed patients’ disability scores, pain scores, grip, and pinch strength, and integrated the data properly. All of the trials assessed were comparing results of the CMC OA orthoses as a non-surgical alternative. The primary outcome measure included was the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Secondary measures that were extracted by the researchers included pain ratings, grip strength, and pinch strength. Further, the researchers looked into overall demographics, sample size, study design, and the type of splint utilized on the affected thumb.
Bringing it home – Overall findings from the systematic review pointed towards a statistical difference in the overall disability scores of patients who wore the prefabricated versus the custom, showing preference to the prefabricated. The secondary data relating to pain and grip/pinch strength both showed overall improvement wearing either the prefabricated or custom-made orthotic.
Rating (0-5) – 4: This systematic review and meta-analysis were done across five clinical trials with a large sample size of 230 patients. The review shows the effectiveness of both custom and prefabricated orthoses but shows lessened disability scores for prefabricated. The mean follow-up testing was 8.1 weeks which is a short-term retest as CMC OA orthoses could become a lifelong solution for patients who fall within this category. Improved research may look into long-term follow-up for more accurate data.
1 Comment
Leave a Comment
More To Read
Place-and-Hold Versus Active Mobilization Therapy After Flexor Tendon Repair
Title: Passive Mobilization With Place-and-Hold Versus Active Mobilization Therapy After Flexor Tendon Repair: 5-Year Minimum Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial Article Review By: Tommi Hintnaus Reference: Chevalley, S., Wangberg, V., Ahlen, M., Stromberg, J., & Bjorkman, A. (2024, October 4). Passive Mobilization With Place-and-Hold Versus Active Mobilization Therapy After Flexor Tendon Repair: 5-Year Minimum…
Read More
Got Wounds? How to manage them as a Hand Therapist.
Wound care is messy. It can be intimidating and scary with so many variations of wounds (for example, white skin around wounds) and so many products out there, it is hard to know what to use, when to use it, and how to use it. If you go to a wound care conference, you’ll spend most of…
Read More
Sensory Kit for Hypersensitivity
Written by Melissa Miller Introduction After injury or surgery, nerves in the skin and surrounding the injured area can become overly sensitive. This can cause pain or an unpleasant sensation by stimuli that would not typically cause discomfort. For example, a light touch from a shirt or a certain material can feel like needles to…
Read More
Common Median Nerve Injuries
Common Median Nerve Injuries By: Madison Mott Did you know!? Aside from the most common upper extremity nerve compression, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), there are several additional median nerve injuries. Pronator SyndromeCompression of the median nerve between the two heads of pronator teres. Result of recurrent, forceful gripping, forearm rotation, or elbow flexion. Signs include…
Read More
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.
This doesn’t surprise me as I think there is a high variability between therapist custom splint designs which may outweigh the potential benefit of having the splint custom fabricated.