Physical Therapy after Triangular Fibrocartilage Injuries and Ulnar Wrist Pain

<p><strong>Background</strong>: The ulnar side of the wrist has been referred to as the “black box” of the wrist because of its complex structures and sophisticated anatomy, disorders at this anatomical site have been compared to those of low back pain</p> <p><strong>Purposes: </strong>The purpose of this study was to apply the Brief International Classification of Functioning (ICF) Core Set for Hand Conditions to the physical therapy outcome measures, and to evaluate the contribution of these measures to overall health in subjects with ulnar wrist pain. A secondary purpose was to investigate the effect of wrist orthotics and strengthening exercise on subjects with ulnar wrist pain. <strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-five subjects with ulnar wrist pain were recruited to receive orthotics and strengthening exercises. Investigators measured pain, function using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire, grip strength using the Jamar dynamometer, at baseline, two and four weeks post randomization. Regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of these variables on overall health represented by the Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire. A mixed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) modeling was used to investigate the effect of the intervention over time.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-three percent of the variability in SF-36 physical health summary scores was explained by the studied variables with grip strength predicting 31% of the variability. There were statistical significant differences between the two intervention groups and the control group, while there were no statistical significant differences between the two intervention groups over the three measurement occasions.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Brief ICF Core Set for Hand Conditions can be a useful abridged list of categories relevant to functioning and health in subjects with ulnar wrist pain. Also, orthotics intervention is as effective as orthotics plus strengthening exercises in improving pain, function, and grip strength in subjects with ulnar wrist pain.</p> <p><strong>Key words: </strong>Ulnar wrist pain, Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex, Brief International Classification of Functioning Core Set, ulnar-based orthotics, Physical Therapy.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Therapy

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Abdelmegeed, Mohamed A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lohman, Everett B., III
• Daher, Noha S.
• Syed, Hasan M.

• Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment
• Diagnosis
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation and Therapy
• Therapeutics
• Triangular Fibrocartilage -- Injuries; Triquetrum Bone -- Injuries; Radius Fractures -- Complications; Ulnar Nerve -- Injuries; Physical Therapy Modalities
• Ulnar Wrist Pain; Ulnar-based Orthotics; Strength Exercises; Patient-rated Wrist Evaluation

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/310

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1308