Hand Therapy Approach on Lumbrical Muscle Tears in Sport Climbers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aimes to analyze the effectiveness of a Hand Therapy protocol in the management of patients who suffer from a tear of a lumbrical muscle, regarding on the symptoms during the clinical examination, the disability in their activities of daily living and the sports-specific function.

Detailed Description
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A prospective intervention study is performed on 50 adult climbers suffering from an injury of the 4th lumbrical muscle. They wear during 3 weeks a 5th finger extension relative motion orthosis, while pain-free sport activities are permitted using a 4th and 5th fingers buddy-taping. After three weeks, patients are told to progressively remove the splint and, after six weeks, the splint is totally removed. Symptoms in the lumbrical stress test are evaluated during the 6 weeks period using dynamometry and goniometry, Finally, Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand questionnaire is also analyzed.

Official Title
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Hand Therapy Approach on Lumbrical Muscle Tears in Sport Climbers

Conditions
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Muscle Tear, Hand Injuries, Splints

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Hand Therapy Splinting Protocol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult climbers suffering from an injury of the 4th lumbrical muscle Exclusion Criteria: Patients with previous treatments. Patients with concomitant injuries or illness

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Lumbrical Injured Climbers<br>6-weeks relative motion splinting protocol, while pain-free sport activities are permitted | Other: Hand Therapy Splinting Protocol<br>* Relative motion splinting protocol<br>* Other names: Relative Motion;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dinamometry in lumbrical stress test | Symptoms in the lumbrical stress test will be evaluated during the 6 weeks period using an adapted Jamar handgrip dynamometer on a climbing hold. The climber is told to pull on the hold until the pain starts. | It will be evaluated at 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Goniometry in lumbrical stress test | Finger flexion metacarpophalangeal joint goniometry of the 5th finger is measured during the lumbrical stress test when pain appears | It will be evaluated at 6 weeks | 
| Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand questionnaire | Participants will be asked to answer Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand questionnaire before the clinical examination. In Quick-Disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand each item has response options and, from the item scores, scale scores are calculated, raning from o (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability). | It will be evaluated at 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Lumbrical, Sport Climbing, Hand Therapy, Hand Injuries, Relative Motion