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Interocclusal splint designed to reduce tenderness in lateral pterygoid and other muscles of mastication.

When a patient has discomfort in the muscles of mastication, a palpation test of the lateral pterygoid muscles is positive, and a stress test is positive, the dental occlusion may be a partial cause. The resin splint described here is designed to permit interocclusal contact exclusively at the center of the arches. This device has been shown to reduce tenderness in the lateral pterygoid and other muscles of mastication quickly, usually in 5 to 10 minutes. The splint and its advantages and disadvantages are described.

Contraindications↗

Dimensional stability of occlusal splints.

Five fabrication techniques and two storage methods were used to construct and store specimens to investigate the dimensional stability of acrylic resin occlusal splints. A research model was developed to more closely approximate the tooth coverage limits of occlusal splints. Ten specimens were fabricated on individual stone casts for each of the five techniques. Four die pins were transferred to each specimen, and the distances between the inside diameters of the pins were measured over a 2-week period. After construction, initial measurement, and removal from the cast, each acrylic resin specimen was stored in either a wet or a dry environment. Measurements between pins were made and recorded at five time intervals. The sprinkle-on techniques resulted in less dimensional change than the dough application, the vacuum-adapted resin sheet and dough application, and the heat-cured denture processing techniques. Acrylic resin specimens stored in a wet environment showed less distortion 2 weeks after fabrication.

Acrylic Resins↗

Complications of fractures repaired with casts and splints.

Complications of external coaptation of fractures include delayed and nonunion healing from lack of adequate fracture stability, pressure and rub sores, leg swelling, dermatitis, joint laxity or stiffness, cast or splint breakage, and refracture. Most of the complications are a result of improper application of the coaptation device or poor management of the patient. Early recognition and treatment of complications are needed to minimize their effect. The number of complications resulting from external coaptation can be minimized by proper application of the cast or splint.

Animals↗

Experimental cervical spine injury model: evaluation of airway management and splinting techniques.

We evaluated airway management maneuvers and the effects of cervical splinting on a model of an injured spinal column. X-ray films of a fresh cadaver verified a normal cervical spine. C5-C6 instability was created surgically and documented radiologically with flexion and extension maneuvers. Basic and advanced airway techniques were performed and were documented radiologically. The procedures were then repeated using different types of splinting. Chin lift, jaw thrust, esophageal obturator airway (EOA), and endotracheal intubation can cause extension, widening, and/or anterior subluxation. A two-piece, semirigid soft cervical collar may minimize flexion but not extension of the spine. With the Velcro in back, soft collars minimize flexion; with Velcro in front, they minimize extension. Standard nonsurgical airway management techniques appear to aggravate preexisting injuries. The soft collar and semirigid collar do little to prevent movement, and their presence may serve only as a warning to physicians that a neck injury may be present.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

A splint for controlled active motion after flexor tendon repair. Design, mechanical testing, and preliminary clinical results.

A splint for controlled active motion after flexor tendon repair is described. It incorporates a single core-coated elastic band passing around a palmar pulley and attached proximally to a spring wire. Its mechanical properties were tested against six other systems. The tension in various systems all rose near full extension. However, the palmar pulley, the spring wire, and the elastic band each could lower the tension significantly. When the bending moments at the interphalangeal joints were measured, all systems produced a peak during the latter part of extension. With the palmar pulley, spring wire, and elastic band, the rise was minimal and in fact, the bending moments diminished near full extension. Initial results in 28 flexor tendon repairs using this splint showed less flexion contracture when compared with 78 flexor tendon repairs using a standard rubber band anchored at the wrist.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Severe contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint in Dupuytren's disease: results of a prospective trial of operative correction and dynamic extension splinting.

In a prospective study, 23 proximal interphalangeal joints that were severely contracted (> or = 45 degrees) as a result of Dupuytren's disease underwent operative correction and 6 months of dynamic extension splinting. Proximal interphalangeal joint extension was measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 3-month intervals for 1 year and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Mean follow-up was 2 years (minimum, 1 year). Overall, at 2 years, 44% improvement in proximal interphalangeal joint extension was noted. Mean improvement of 59% in proximal interphalangeal joint extension was noted in patients who complied with the postoperative dynamic extension splinting program. Patients who were noncomplaint demonstrated a 25% improvement in proximal interphalangeal joint extension. The difference in values between patients who were compliant and those who were not was statistically significant. Other factors--severity of contracture, digit involved, and the necessity for capsular release--were not significantly related to outcome. This study suggests that soft tissue responds to continuous dynamic extension stresses and can be remodeled over time.

Adult↗

Follow-up report on the electrically driven hand splint.

Since the electrically driven hand splint was introduced in 1972, significant improvements have been made in the design and fabrication of the unit which have made it safer, easier to apply, and readily adjustable to the range of motion of a given finger. Over the last 12 months the results of this form of passive exercise were studied by comparing the gain in total active and passive motion in stiff fingers exercised over a 1 month period with similar stiff fingers treated by conventional manual passive joint exercise. There was a significant improvement in the mean gain of both total active and passive motion in those fingers treated with the electrically driven splint.

Biomedical Engineering↗

Skin necrosis complicating mallet finger splinting and vascularity of the distal interphalangeal joint overlying skin.

Two patients are reported with full-thickness skin necrosis over the dorsum of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints after dorsal splint immobilization in hyperextension to treat acute mallet finger. An investigation was carried out to study the relationship of hyperextension to the dorsal circulation of the DIP joint. In 66 digits, the average degree of DIP joint hyperextension at which the skin blanches was 50% of the total passive hyperextension. It is recommended, therefore, when the DIP joint is immobilized to treat acute mallet finger, the degree at which the dorsal skin begins to blanch must be determined, and the amount of hyperextension should not exceed that degree. Excessive localized pressure to the dorsal skin should be avoided by adjusting the angle of the dorsal splint.

Adolescent↗

The use and effectiveness of elbow splints in the Rett syndrome.

Incessant hand to mouth movements are often noted as part of the movement disorder of the hands in the Rett syndrome (RS). Elbow splints were designed to inhibit this behavior and prevent further injury to the hands. A study of eight RS patients was conducted to determine the effectiveness of splinting. Results were very positive and indicated increased socialization, increased interaction with the environment, decreased hand to mouth movements, and decreased hand wringing behavior.

Child Behavior Disorders↗

[A dynamic aid adjusted by a calibrated spiral spring for use in hand splints].

The authors demonstrate the value of a dynamic aid which can be adapted to various situations with known forces of fraction and stretch: the calibrated spiral spring. The maximal stretch is 50 mm and the usable forces range from 50 g to 2,000 g. This range allows the specific use in different hands and allows the splint to be adapted to each finger and to each pathological condition. The long term mechanical constancy of the spring is an additional advantage. The system is used with a set of adjustable parts, allowing the formation of a "low profile" splint.

Hand Injuries↗

[Shearing splints].

The splint proposed here is designed for patients undergoing extensive tenolysis of the long fingers in zone 5. Based on the anatomy, the principle of this splint is to place the flexor tendons of one finger in a short position and its neighbour in a long position and vice versa. This promotes the formation of "long" adhesions allowing independent movement of each finger.

Equipment Design↗

Early active motion flexor tendon protocol using one splint.

This article describes an early active motion protocol for use after a four-strand flexor tendon repair. The protocol uses a simple dorsal blocking splint with the wrist in neutral and four fingers in rubber band traction for the first five weeks, then gradually advances the patient over the next seven weeks. The patient is able to perform the exercises without changing the splint at home during the first five weeks of the protocol. The results of the retrospective chart review are promising. Of 40 digits, 95% experienced excellent and good results in zone II, and 87.5% experienced excellent and good results in zones I, II, and III. One rupture (2.5%) occurred in a noncompliant patient. The DASH scale was used to determine functional outcome, with results of 7.82 on the physical function/symptoms category, 16.07 in sports/ performing arts, and 10.23 in the work category.

Clinical Protocols↗

The proximal interphalangeal joint swing traction splint.

Conventional PIP joint flexion splints exhibit several shortcomings regarding kinematic and kinetic behavior. A new PIP joint swing traction splint (STS) has been developed to overcome these shortcomings while maintaining the advantage of the ease of use of conventional simple rubber band traction devices. This article defines the advantages of the STS system in terms of physics and also describes the fabrication technique involved.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

The influence of splinting on healing tissues.

In addition to immobilizing injured soft tissue to allow healing, splints are used to positively influence collagen remodeling through the application of low-load forces to healing or contracted soft tissue, permitting soft tissue growth and concomitant increased function. When correction of limited passive range of motion due to soft tissue contracture is needed, splinting is an absolute requisite. No other currently available modality is able to hold a constant low-load tension for a prolonged time sufficient to cause tissue growth.

Contracture↗

Correction of deep overbite. A modified splint permitting rapid extrusion of posterior teeth.

The use of a modified splint in the surgical-orthodontic treatment of Class II deep overbite deformities is presented. The splint permits a reduction of the preoperative orthodontic treatment-time because hardly any (time consuming) levelling of the dental arch is indicated while the time of postoperative orthodontic treatment is shortened, because of the possibility of continuing orthodontic treatment during the intermaxillary fixation period. The clockwise rotational movement which occurs with this treatment modality has, additionally, a favourable effect on the anterior facial height and in many cases on the position of the chin. Finally the intake of food during the immobilization period is facilitated.

Humans↗

Management of radioulnar synostosis with mobilization, anconeus interposition, and a forearm rotation assist splint.

Three cases of post-traumatic proximal radioulnar synostosis are presented. Each was treated with surgery with excision of the heterotrophic new bone and mobilization of the proximal radius. The anconeus muscle was mobilized as a vascularized pedicle graft and then interposed between the proximal radius and ulna. Two patients had postoperative radiotherapy. A forearm rotation assist splint was used to augment rehabilitation after surgery. This device consists of an inner sleeve that attaches to the hand and then rotates within a standard turnbuckle flexion/extension assist splint. The overall improvement in forearm rotation in each case was 100 degrees, 140 degrees, and 150 degrees, respectively.

Adult↗