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At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

The effect of splint therapy on TMJ position measured by the Gerber Resiliency Test.

The Gerber Resiliency Test is a clinical approach to possible evaluation of compression or distraction in the temporomandibular joints. In this study the same principle was used to check the tendency of mechanical responses of joints to the use of bite-splints. Sequences of tests were performed on 18 adult patients of the UTHSCSA clinical pool who had been previously treated for splint therapy. From this population nine patients presented one or more symptoms of TMD and nine were free of symptoms. Separation of the molars with the use of one thickness of tin foil indicated tendency to compression in the joints and three or four thicknesses to distraction. The tests were performed during delivery of the appliance and 1 week later. One sample chi-square statistical test was performed and did not show any statistically significant difference between dysfunction and non-dysfunction groups (P < .05). At delivery, there was a higher frequency of distraction in both left and right joints (P < .05) when the splint was inserted. Compression was present at very low frequency. One week later, the joints did not stay distracted in the same frequency.

Adult↗

Effect of unilateral bite splint on mastication in the miniature pig.

Unilateral premature occlusal contacts are known to alter masticatory activity levels during clenching, but whether natural chewing is similarly affected is not known. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of a unilateral bite splint on mastication. Eleven experiments were carried out using three miniature pigs. Electromyography of the masticatory muscles and movements of the jaw were recorded during natural chewing before and after inserting a bite splint on the second and third deciduous premolars. In contrast to human clenching, the integrated activities of the jaw-closing muscles increased, especially on the contralateral side. The increases were mainly due to the prolongation of the burst durations. Jaw opening activity was increased as well. The frequency of mastication fell slightly and the animal preferred to chew food on the bite splint side. These results demonstrate the importance within the particular experimental conditions of the occlusal condition in regulating chewing behaviour.

Animals↗

Lower limb compression using inflatable splints to prevent hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

The efficacy of pneumatic compression of the lower limbs using inflatable leg splints in prevention of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia was assessed in an open study of 46 patients undergoing elective caesarean section. All patients received 15 ml/kg of Hartmann's solution before spinal anaesthesia and were tilted to the left to minimise aortocaval compression. Splints were rapidly inflated to a pressure of 5.3 kPa immediately after institution of the block in treated patients. Blood pressure was measured by a cuff method at 1-min intervals until the commencement of surgery. Hypotension was less common (P less than 0.05) and less severe (P less than 0.05) in splint-treated patients, but the incidence was unacceptably high in both treated (48%) and control (83%) groups.

Adult↗

Lycra working splint for the rheumatoid arthritic hand with MCP ulnar deviation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is described by Swanson (1995) as 'the greatest crippler from the standpoint of severity and prolonged disability' (p. 1307). One key factor in keeping persons with rheumatoid arthritis independent in their activities of daily living is maintaining functional use of their hands. In rural areas, where a move to assisted accommodation may require a person to leave the locality, this splint may help older citizens to remain functional and at home. The deformity and instability caused in rheumatoid arthritic hands by radial deviation of the wrist and subsequent ulnar deviation of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints can greatly affect functional use of the hands. In this article, design and fabrication instructions for a lycra working splint which is suitable for the rheumatoid arthritic hand with MCP ulnar deviation are presented. Health professionals working in rural areas will find this splint inexpensive and easy to design, either alone or, ideally, with the assistance of regional occupational therapists.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Comparative electromyographic study of bite plates and stabilization splints.

The object was to study any influence on the integrated electromyographic activity in the masseter and temporal muscles of two types of occlusal appliances. Seventeen healthy subjects wore a bite plate with a frontal plateau and a full coverage stabilization splint at night, each for 1 wk. The EMG activity was recorded without appliances in situ, in the rest position, and during gentle and maximum biting before and after the use of the different appliances. After use of the bite plate, the EMG activity was not significantly different at any tested level. After use of the splint, the activity in the rest position was significantly lower in the anterior and posterior parts of the temporal muscles. The EMG activity was significantly lower in the rest position in both parts of the temporal muscle after use of the splint than after use of the bite plate. In a control group of eight subjects in whom no appliances were used, the EMG activity did not change significantly between the initial and 1- or 5-wk recordings. Thus, the occlusal design of the appliances seems to be of importance for the influence on the EMG activity in the masticatory muscles, at least in healthy subjects.

Adult↗

The conservative treatment of mallet finger with a simple splint: a case report.

Sixty patients with mallet finger deformity were randomly treated with either a Stack or a custom-made padded aluminium alloy malleable finger splint. Both splints were equally effective in correcting the deformity but the aluminium alloy splint was able to be fitted to a wider variety of finger shapes and sizes and caused significantly fewer skin complications.

Adolescent↗

Splinting programmes for tendon injuries.

It is beyond doubt that splinting programmes have often been an integral and important part of the rehabilitation process in tendon injuries. Over the past three decades, hand splints for tendon injuries of various designs and different mobilisation programmes have been developed in the hope of pursuing better clinical and functional outcome for patients. In this paper, the development of different splinting programmes in flexor and extensor tendon injuries and the current practice in some acute hospitals in Hong Kong were discussed.

Delivery of Health Care↗

Application of splinting in hand rehabilitation: a reflection of local practice.

Occupational therapists in Hong Kong have been very active in the management of patients with traumatic hand injuries due to industrial accidents. Splints have been prescribed as an adjunct to the exercise programme in rehabilitation. Other than the conventional thermoplastic splinting materials, metal hinges, coils and plastic strapping were used in splinting. The ultimate goal is to maximise the hand functions such that these workers could resume their work roles.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Backscattering from dental restorations and splint materials during therapeutic radiation.

Models were constructed to simulate as closely as possible the human oral cavity. Radiation absorbed doses were determined for controls and various test situations involving the presence of dental restorative and splint materials during cobalt-60 irradiation of the models. Adjacent gold full crowns and adjacent solid dental silver amalgam cores both increased the dose to the interproximal gingivae by 20%. Use of orthodontic full bands for splinting the jaws increased the dose to the buccal tissues by an average of 10%. Augmentation of dose through backscatter radiation was determined to be only slight for intracoronal amalgam fillings and stainless steel or plastic bracket splints.

Crowns↗

The use of night splints for treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

This study reports the results of the use of molded ankle foot orthosis night splints for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis on 14 patients with a total of 18 symptomatic feet. All patients had symptoms for greater than 1 year and had previously undergone treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections, shoe modifications, and physical therapy without resolution. All patients were provided with custom-molded polypropylene ankle foot orthoses in 5 degrees of dorsiflexion to be used as a night splint. With continued use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, Tuli heel cups, Spenco liners, and general stretching exercises, successful resolution occurred in 11 patients in less than 4 months. There were three failures. It is felt that the use of night splints provides a useful, cost-effective adjunct to current therapeutic regimens of plantar fasciitis.

Adult↗

Quantitative polygraphic controlled study on efficacy and safety of oral splint devices in tooth-grinding subjects.

The efficacy of occlusal splints in diminishing muscle activity and tooth-grinding damage remains controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of an occlusal splint (OS) vs. a palatal control device (PCD). Nine subjects with sleep bruxism (SB) participated in this randomized study. Sleep laboratory recordings were made on the second night to establish baseline data. Patients then wore each of the splints in the sleep laboratory for recording nights three and four, two weeks apart, according to a crossover design. A statistically significant reduction in the number of SB episodes per hour (decrease of 41%, p = 0.05) and SB bursts per hour (decrease of 40%, p < 0.05) was observed with the two devices. Both oral devices also showed 50% fewer episodes with grinding noise (p = 0.06). No difference was observed between the devices. Moreover, no changes in respiratory variables were observed. Both devices reduced muscle activity associated with SB.

Adult↗

A biomechanical analysis of static progressive elbow flexion splinting.

We all have many occasions to splint the stiff elbow, especially to overcome flexion contratures, but the functional requirement of 130+degrees of elbow flexion is also an important clinical reality requiring end range splinting in no small number of cases. The author presents an analysis of the theoretical forces acting upon the elbow in two types of splints at various angles of flexion.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Treatment of congenital club foot with a modified Denis Browne splint.

We treated 91 congenital club feet in 59 children using a modified Denis Browne splint, and followed them for an average of 6 years and 3 months. The modified splint has an aluminium crossbar holding a pair of plastic shoe inserts moulded into corrected positions, and its use was started in children whose ages ranged from four weeks to nine months. Operation was later required in only 31 feet in 20 children. We have reviewed the other 60 feet in 39 children treated by splintage alone. All 60 feet had excellent or good function and from radiographic assessment, equinus, adduction, varus and cavus deformities had all been well corrected. Our results show that the modified splint can give good results.

Clubfoot↗

Dental splint prescription patterns: a survey.

A random sample of U.S. dentists was surveyed with a mailed questionnaire to determine the number of splints that they fabricated over the preceding year for bruxers, patients with myofascial pain-dysfunction syndrome and patients with TM joint pain. The results indicate that a significant number of dentists treat these disorders with dental splints. Estimates are provided for the dental profession's yearly splint output for each disorder.

Age Factors↗

Fiber glass splints.

Temporary splints to immobilize periodontally diseased teeth were made by fiber glass bonded and attached to the teeth with acid-etch technique with BIS-GMA resin. Twenty-one splints were made. Observation time ranged from 4 to 14 months. During the observation only one splint fractured and was repaired while the others functioned without failure.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

The effects of circumferential air-splint pressure on flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in subjects without neurological deficits.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of circumferential pressure on flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflex in subjects without neuromuscular deficits and to evaluate the skin's contribution to this effect. FCR H-reflex was assessed in 43 subjects by measuring the peak-to-peak amplitude change before, during, and after circumferential pressure was applied to the forearm. Twelve H-reflexes (H/M ratio: M = 25%, SD = 14) were recorded before pressure application to obtain a baseline value (H(baseline)) to which all data were compared. A pneumatic 15 to 20-cm air splint inflated to 51-60 mmHg provided the pressure around the forearm. H-reflex recordings were taken at 1, 3, and 5 min. during (H(pressure)) and after pressure application. A second smaller study (placebo), in which the air splint was inflated to 0 mmHg, was conducted in 5 subjects to ensure that changes in reflex amplitudes were not a result of cutaneous effects. Two types of responses were observed in the FCR H-reflex following pressure application. One group of subjects significantly increased in H-reflex amplitude while another group decreased in H-reflex amplitude when compared to H(baseline). Regression analysis found that H(max) explained 37.2% of the variance when controlling for H(baseline). Subjects with larger H(max) showed an increase in H(pressure) while subjects with lower H(max) showed decreases in H(pressure) The placebo study revealed no differences in H-reflex amplitude from baseline values, implying that skin stimulation from the air splint has no role in the effects observed. The dichotomous result indicates that pressure influences the upper extremity differently than it does the lower extremity in certain individuals. Clinicians, using circumferential pressure as a therapeutic modality to lower muscle activity of the upper extremity, need to be cognizant that pressure may have contrasting effects on their patients.

Adult↗

Fabricating a splint for deep friction massage.

Deep friction massage (DFM) is a therapeutic modality for tendinitis, muscle strains, ligamentous sprains, and capsulitis of the trapezio-first-metacarpal joint. Depending on the stage and site of the lesion, treatment sessions may be as brief as 5 minutes or as long as 20 minutes. Many therapists find DFM to be very effective but state that treatment is very fatiguing to administer. Therapists with hypermobile fingers find it particularly difficult to perform. In order to overcome these two problems, a number of splints have been designed to treat various lesions. This article describes how to fabricate one of these splints. This splint is useful for commonly seen lesions such as supraspinatus tendinitis and a sprained acromioclavicular ligament.

Bursitis↗

Bite plates and stabilization splints in mandibular dysfunction. A clinical and electromyographic comparison.

Twenty patients with mandibular dysfunction, all women, aged 17-41 years, were randomized for treatment with either a bite plate with a frontal plateau or a full-coverage stabilization splint. The occlusal appliances were used at night for 6 weeks to compare clinical and electromyographic effects (EMGs). Integrated EMGs were recorded bilaterally from the anterior and posterior parts of the temporal muscle and the masseter muscle in the rest position and during gentle and maximal biting before and after treatment without the appliances in situ. Initially recorded EMG activity in the temporal muscle was correlated to signs of dysfunction in the rest position. Compared with previously investigated healthy subjects, the patients had lower EMG activity in the anterior part of the temporal muscle and in the masseter muscle during maximal biting. Use of occlusal appliances at night for 6 weeks did not change the EMG activity in the rest position or during maximal biting. The clinical signs improved, significantly in the splint group. The subjective symptoms improved in both groups, significantly more in the splint group.

Adolescent↗