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Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McGrath, MS; Ulrich, SD; Bonutti, PM; Smith, JM; Seyler, TM; Mont, MA
Published in: J Hand Surg Am
November 2008

PURPOSE: Decreased wrist flexion and/or extension after trauma or surgery can be a challenging problem. Physical therapy, orthoses, and additional surgical interventions may not restore the desired range of motion or functionality. The purpose of this study was to assess the total arc of motion and the satisfaction scores of patients who had wrist stiffness and who were treated with a bidirectional, patient-directed orthosis that used the principles of static progressive stretch. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who experienced posttraumatic or postsurgical wrist stiffness were treated with a patient-directed orthosis. Treatment consisted of a 30- to 60-minute stretching protocol performed 1 to 3 times per day. Compliance with the device, treatment duration, mean total arc of motion, patient satisfaction, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The total arc of motion increased by a mean of 35 degrees (range, 5 degrees to 100 degrees ) after a mean of 10 weeks of treatment (range, 5 to 26 weeks). The mean flexion and extension increased by 18 degrees (range, 1 degrees to 50 degrees ) and 17 degrees (range, 3 degrees to 50 degrees ), respectively. Assessment of age, gender, and time before commencement of treatment showed that these factors did not significantly affect the magnitude of improvement or the final arc of motion. The mean patient satisfaction score was 8.2 points on a scale of 0 to 10 points. All patients completed the treatment, and there were no complications reported with use of the device. CONCLUSIONS: All of the patients who used this protocol improved their total arc of motion. A splinting device that uses the principles of static progressive stretch is a useful treatment for patients who have posttraumatic or postsurgical wrist stiffness and whose progress has plateaued after a course of conventional physical therapy. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Hand Surg Am

DOI

EISSN

1531-6564

Publication Date

November 2008

Volume

33

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1498 / 1504

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Wrist Joint
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Prospective Studies
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Patient Compliance
  • Orthotic Devices
  • Orthopedics
  • Muscle Stretching Exercises
  • Middle Aged
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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McGrath, M. S., Ulrich, S. D., Bonutti, P. M., Smith, J. M., Seyler, T. M., & Mont, M. A. (2008). Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness. J Hand Surg Am, 33(9), 1498–1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.05.018
McGrath, Mike S., Slif D. Ulrich, Peter M. Bonutti, Jonathan M. Smith, Thorsten M. Seyler, and Michael A. Mont. “Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness.J Hand Surg Am 33, no. 9 (November 2008): 1498–1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.05.018.
McGrath MS, Ulrich SD, Bonutti PM, Smith JM, Seyler TM, Mont MA. Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness. J Hand Surg Am. 2008 Nov;33(9):1498–504.
McGrath, Mike S., et al. “Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness.J Hand Surg Am, vol. 33, no. 9, Nov. 2008, pp. 1498–504. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.05.018.
McGrath MS, Ulrich SD, Bonutti PM, Smith JM, Seyler TM, Mont MA. Evaluation of static progressive stretch for the treatment of wrist stiffness. J Hand Surg Am. 2008 Nov;33(9):1498–1504.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Hand Surg Am

DOI

EISSN

1531-6564

Publication Date

November 2008

Volume

33

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1498 / 1504

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Wrist Joint
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Prospective Studies
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Patient Compliance
  • Orthotic Devices
  • Orthopedics
  • Muscle Stretching Exercises
  • Middle Aged