Immobilization of Forearm Rotation: Sugar Tong Splint Versus Volar-dorsal short Arm Splint
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Abstract
Objective: To compare forearm rotation allowed by sugar tong splint and volar-dorsal short arm splint in normal healthy persons
Methods: A total 32 volunteers (16 men and 16 women) were recruited. The active pronation and supination of the right forearm in 90 degree elbow flexion without any immobilization were measured with digital goniometer both before and after applying the sugar tong splint. The proximal part of sugar tong splint was cut to convert into a volar-dorsal splint. Active forearm rotation with volar-dorsal splint was measured.
Results: Sugar tong splint allowed limitation of forearm pronation and supination by 89.5% and 81% Volar-dorsal short arm splint allowed limitation of forearm pronation and supination by 67% and 58%. There was significant difference in active forearm pronation or supination between sugar tong splint and volar-dorsal splint in men and women (p<0.001).
Conclusions: There was significant difference in the active forearm rotation between sugar tong splint and volar-dorsal splint. The sugar tong splint limits forearm rotation superior to volar-dorsal splint. However, the efficiency of volar-dorsal splint might not be practically different from the sugar tong splint for patients with mild degree fractures of the distal end of radius who may be satisfied with volar-dorsal splint. Therefore, a future study may need to be conducted to compare the application of the sugar tong splint with the volar-dorsal splint.
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References
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