Finger Fracture, Finger Sprain, Ligament Injury of the Finger, Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Injury
Conditions
Keywords
Kinesio taping, Buddy taping, Conservative treatment, QuickDASH, Grip strength, Range of motion, Non-operative hand fracture, Randomized controlled trial
Brief summary
This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of three conservative treatment approaches-Kinesio taping (KT), buddy taping (BT), and static splinting-for managing finger ligament injuries and non-displaced fractures. A total of 175 patients between the ages of 5 and 60 were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups and monitored over a 3-month period. The study aims to assess outcomes including range of motion (ROM), grip strength, pain levels, and functional recovery using the QuickDASH questionnaire.
Detailed description
Finger ligament injuries and non-displaced fractures are common conditions encountered in both pediatric and adult orthopedic populations. Conservative treatment options such as buddy taping and splinting are commonly employed in clinical practice, although each method may affect mobility and patient comfort differently. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate three conservative treatment modalities-Kinesio taping (KT), buddy taping (BT), and static volar splinting-in patients aged 5 to 60 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups and evaluated at three time points: Day 3, Week 3, and Month 3. The primary outcome measure was the range of motion of the injured finger. Secondary outcomes included grip strength, pain scores, QuickDASH assessments, and incidence of skin-related complications. Outcome evaluations were performed by an independent orthopedic surgeon who was blinded to group assignment. Patients were stratified into pediatric and adult subgroups to assess age-related differences in treatment response. The study followed a parallel assignment design and employed single-blind outcome assessment.
Interventions
DEVICEKinesio Taping
Elastic therapeutic tape was applied using the ligament correction technique. The tape was reapplied at Day 3 and Day 21 under supervision
PROCEDUREBuddy Taping
Buddy taping involved strapping the injured finger to an adjacent digit using medical tape. Early motion was restricted.
DEVICESplinting
A custom-molded thermoplastic splint was applied to restrict joint movement and maintain alignment. Patients remained immobilized until Week 3.
Sponsors
Onur Gültekin
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Outcomes were assessed by an independent orthopedic surgeon blinded to group allocation.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Kinesio taping, buddy taping, or splinting) and followed for 3 months.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 5 and 60 years * Presentation within 5 days of injury * Acute finger ligament sprain or non-displaced finger fracture (PIP or phalangeal) * Ability to provide informed consent (or parental consent for minors) * Availability for 3-month follow-up
Exclusion criteria
* Open fractures * Polytrauma or systemic injury * Delayed presentation (\>5 days post-injury) * Need for surgical fixation * Previous injury or deformity in the same finger * Neurological or rheumatologic disorders affecting hand function
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Range of Motion (ROM) in Injured Finger | Week 3 and Month 3 | Flexion and extension angles of the injured finger joints measured using a digital goniometer. Results expressed in degrees. Higher values indicate better mobility. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| QuickDASH Disability Score | Week 3 and Month 3 | Functional status of the upper limb evaluated using the QuickDASH questionnaire. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximum disability). Lower scores indicate better function. |
| Grip Strength Recovery | Month 3 | Hand grip strength of the injured side measured using a dynamometer, expressed as a percentage of the unaffected side. Higher percentages indicate better recovery. |
| Incidence of Skin Complications | Up to Month 3 | Occurrence of skin maceration, irritation, or pressure sores recorded during follow-up visits. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed