Objective: The goal of this study was to design and manufacture the novel spider splint and compare its effect with conventional metallic splint on improvement of hand function in patients with radial nerve injury.
Material & Methods: In this quasi experimental study, 24 patients with radial nerve injury from clinics of Sina and Imam Khomeini hospitals who were randomly selected and assigned into two groups by balanced randomized method, were treated with new splint and conventional metallic splint. For the first visit range of motion at wrist, Metacarpophalangeal, Proximal interphalangeal and Distal interphalangeal joints was measured and evaluated the comfortance level and skin eczema. After 4 months follow up the variables was evaluated again. Data were analyzed by Chi square and Independent T tests.
Results: The range of motion of joints at Wrist (p<0.001), Metacarpophalangeal (p=0.003) and Proximal interphalangeal (p=0.029) were significantly more in spider splint group thant other group, but there was no significant difference in range of motion of Distal interphalangeal joint (p=0.054), although function improvement of Distal interphalangeal joint was better too in spider splint group tha other group.
Conclusion: The new splint and conventional metallic splint were effective on improvement of radial nerve problems (fingers disextension, drop wrist and secondary deformity), but new splint was more effective on hand function improvement