AHTA 2015 Presenter: Lauren Miller
Unstable fracture of the proximal phalangeal bone of the finger is a common hand injury that requires surgical fixation. Intervention following surgery is aimed at decreasing impairments including pain, oedema, loss of range of motion and weakness, scar formation and deformity, as well as reducing activity limitations and participation restrictions. Despite this, many individuals are left with reduced range of finger motion and other impairments, affecting hand use and participation in work. This workshop explores intervention following proximal phalangeal ORIF including strategies to decrease swelling and pain, increase range of motion, strength and hand use, and prevent scarring and secondary harm. This workshop will outline two interventions compared in a randomised clinical trial undertaken by the presenter. Synergistic wrist and finger exercises with the MCP constrained, and fabrication of the orthosis used to facilitate these exercises will be demonstrated.