BACKGROUND The interface pressure between the residual limb and prosthetic socket has a significant effect on an amputee's satisfaction and comfort. This paper presents the design and performance of a new prosthetic socket that uses an air splint system. METHODS The air splint prosthetic socket system was implemented by combining the air splint with a pressure sensor that the transhumeral use...

OBJECTIVE  To identify hand function problems and the reasons for choosing a specific finger splint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and swan neck deformities. METHODS  A qualitative study was performed alongside a randomized, controlled cross-over trial comparing the effectiveness of two types of finger splints (the silver ring splint [SRS] and the prefabricated thermoplastic splin...

In most cases it is an advantage to provide means of skeletal traction before attacking the fracture-site. Femur. 1. Thomas splint. Kirschner wire extension via tibial crest. 2. Brauns splint and skeletal traction. 3. Sliding-bed traction. Tibia and fibula. 1. Watson Jones apparatus. 2. Thomas splint and flexion-piece, with Kirschner wire extension via os calcis. 3. Brauns splint and skeletal t...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in task performance, grip and pinch strength, and dexterity with and without cock-up splints, which are widely used in occupational therapy practice. [Methods] Twenty-three participants performed Jebsen-Taylor hand function test and grooved pegboard for task performance and dexterity. The power grip and pinch strength was mea...

PURPOSE This pilot study was designed to test the hypothesis that the use of a single oral splint may aggravate respiratory disturbance in sleep apneic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of 10 patients with a history of snoring and a recording night confirming a diagnosis of sleep apnea were included. Patients were then invited to spend 2 nights in the sleep laboratory: night 2 to establ...

UNLABELLED Splinting the thumb in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) is a common practice; however, research evidence is lacking to support the use of one specific splint design. The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of two different splints on hand function, pain, and hand strength in adults with CMC OA. Fifty-six participants were assigned randomly to splint order in a two-p...

The Audit Commission in the UK recommends that patient information leaflets (PILs) should be audited by health professionals using a formal readability test. However, no such study on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been identified in a Medline search. The aim of this study was to audit the readability of PILs prepared for marketed proprietary AEDs in the UK. Twelve PILs were compared with six a...

We investigated how repetitive hand activity normally affects carpal tunnel pressure and whether a flexible wrist splint can influence this effect. Nineteen healthy subjects were evaluated under four test conditions: at rest with and without a wrist splint (baseline) and while performing a repetitive task with and without a wrist splint. The task involved loading and unloading 1 lb. cans from a...

Establishing anatomic reduction of an edentulous mandible fracture is a frequently acknowledged challenge in craniomaxillofacial trauma surgery. In this study, we report a novel method for the reduction of the edentulous mandible fracture, via fabrication of modified Gunning splints using existing dentures and SMARTLock hybrid arch bars. This technique dramatically simplifies the application of...