Year: 2024 | Month: August | Volume: 14 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 485-489
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240858
Acceptance, Satisfaction and Immediate Impact of Customized Ulnar Deviation Control Splint for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Payal1, Shivangi Mehra2, Sakshi Saharawat2, Dr. Chitra Kataria3
1Student, BPO, ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation sciences, New Delhi, India
2Assistant Professor, MPO, ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi, India
3Principal and Head of Rehab Extension, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre- Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi, India
Corresponding Author: Payal
ABSTRACT
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive systemic disease that affects many joints and produces pain and inflammation. RA usually affects the wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints, and proximal interphalangeal joints in the hand. Ulnar deviation is one of the most often occurring deformities in RA. It can also cause muscular weakness, pain, stiffness, reduced joint motion and damage associated tissues, such as tendons and their sheaths. Various static and dynamic splints are used to correct the ulnar deviation in RA. By exerting an external strain on the locomotor system, a splint's main goal is to maximize joint mobility. While splints used at rest are thought to reduce inflammation and avoid contractures, splints worn while movement are meant to support joints, relieve discomfort, and enhance function. Many static splints for ulnar deviation limit patients' everyday activities, offer no further benefits in terms of hand function improvement, and lower their quality of life in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. The literature provides scant information regarding the use of dynamic splints for ulnar deviation in RA patients, taking into account each finger separately and evaluating the patients' acceptance and satisfaction with them. The goal of this research is to create a customized ulnar deviation control splint that reduces ulnar deviation angle precisely while allowing phalanges to move freely. It is anticipated that this splint will enable the person to carry out daily tasks without experiencing any major constraints.
Objective: This study finds the immediate effect of the customized ulnar deviation splint and the level of acceptance and satisfaction among ulnar deviation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Study design: A pre-test post-test study design
Significance: In many studies, it has been mentioned that the design of some splints affects the range of motion of patients, which prevents them from performing daily activities. Therefore, this splint has been carefully designed not to restrict patients' daily activities. In this splint, the fingers will remain free, allowing patients to perform small tasks such as carrying a bucket, suitcase, bag, etc.
Method: Total number of 5 subjects were taken with rheumatoid arthritis having ulnar deviation with age group from 50-70 years and pre-test reading of ulnar deviation angle was done. Subjects were then fitted with customized ulnar deviation control splint thereafter post-test readings of immediate effect on ulnar deviation angle were recorded.
Result: The result shows significant improvement in ulnar deviation angle. The result also showed on Likert scale that 4 out of 5 patients were satisfied with customized ulnar deviation control splint and the patients agreed with the comfortability of splint. Thus, it indicates that the subjects showed improved ulnar deviation angle and most of the patients were satisfied in terms of comfortability, acceptance and performance of the given orthotic intervention.
Conclusion: The customized ulnar deviation control splint was effective in improving the ulnar deviation angle after the given orthotic intervention in the subjects with ulnar deviated hand due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, ulnar deviation, ulnar deviation control splint, Likert scale, goniometer, ulnar deviation angle.