Robert Bram Giesberts1, Anne Marjan Ter Haar2, Gerrit Martijn Sanderman2, Edsko Evert Geert Hekman3, Gijsbertus Jacob Verkerke4. 1. Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.b.giesberts@utwente.nl. 2. Xpert Clinic, Enschede, The Netherlands; Handtherapie Nederland, Enschede, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Basic research (cross-sectional). INTRODUCTION: Dupuytren disease can cause disabling contractures of the finger joints. After partial fasciectomy, postoperative hand splinting helps to maintain extension range of motion. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To measure how the contraction forces of the finger on the splint change over time. METHODS: Subjects who were treated for Dupuytren contracture with partial fasciectomy were invited to participate in this study. Force sensors were placed in their dorsal extension splint, and the applied force was measured continually for several weeks. RESULTS: Eleven subjects (aged 59-75 years) with the metacarpophalangeal (8) or proximal interphalangeal (3) as their most severely affected finger joint participated. Each night, the measured force consistently decreased to reach a plateau after about 3 hour (adaptation time, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-31.8 hours). The time to reach this plateau decreased with time after surgery (≈5%/day, P = .0005, R2 = 0.08). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The observed rate of decrease in the measured force indicates a tissue adaptation time of approximately 3 hours.
STUDY DESIGN: Basic research (cross-sectional). INTRODUCTION: Dupuytren disease can cause disabling contractures of the finger joints. After partial fasciectomy, postoperative hand splinting helps to maintain extension range of motion. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To measure how the contraction forces of the finger on the splint change over time. METHODS: Subjects who were treated for Dupuytren contracture with partial fasciectomy were invited to participate in this study. Force sensors were placed in their dorsal extension splint, and the applied force was measured continually for several weeks. RESULTS: Eleven subjects (aged 59-75 years) with the metacarpophalangeal (8) or proximal interphalangeal (3) as their most severely affected finger joint participated. Each night, the measured force consistently decreased to reach a plateau after about 3 hour (adaptation time, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-31.8 hours). The time to reach this plateau decreased with time after surgery (≈5%/day, P = .0005, R2 = 0.08). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The observed rate of decrease in the measured force indicates a tissue adaptation time of approximately 3 hours.
Authors: Dominic Jones; Lefan Wang; Ali Ghanbari; Vasiliki Vardakastani; Angela E Kedgley; Matthew D Gardiner; Tonia L Vincent; Peter R Culmer; Ali Alazmani Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2020-02-19 Impact factor: 3.576