Article

Orthotic intervention is an essential component of hand rehabilitation,
addressing biological factors that affect activity and participation. Functional,
pain-free joint mobility requires skeletal stability, healthy articular
cartilage, and appropriate extensibility of periarticular dense connective
tissues (DCTs). This article addresses basic science underlying clinical
reasoning when considering orthoses to maintain or restore structural integrity,
mobility and function of DCT structures, and articular cartilage. However, these
tissues often have different and sometimes conflicting requirements for the
maintenance and restoration of integrity and health. The duration of
immobilization, especially at end range, should be carefully considered, as it
impairs nutrition of tissues and adversely compresses articular cartilage,
causing injury that may not be reversible. Immobilization also reduces
extensibility of DCT. Thus, an intermittent orthotic wearing schedule is
suggested, allowing movement wherever possible to promote tissue health. To
optimize benefits and minimize harmful effects of orthotic intervention, further
research on physiological responses of human tissues to immobilization and
tension is needed.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS