Opposition splint for partial thumb amputation: a case study measuring disability before and after splint use.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

INTRODUCTION

A combined burn and a partial amputation can be extremely debilitating as the thumb constitutes 40% of the entire hand when evaluating functional impairment.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Measure disability with and without opposition splint use after partial thumb amputation due to a burn.

METHODS

Impairment and disability measures were completed at discharge from the hospital and subsequently during outpatient follow-up visits while wearing and not wearing a thumb opposition splint at 3, 6, 8, and 15 months. Comparisons between disability and impairment scores were assessed over time.

RESULTS

The difference between DASH scores with and without using the splint were 25 at 3 months, 16 at 6 months, 10 at 8 months, and 12 at 15 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Splint use in this case demonstrated clinically significant changes over time with minimal changes in impairment indicating enhanced function and improved patient perception of disability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.