Mallet finger: a single-blind randomised controlled trial of three different splints: data

The goal of the research project was to find the most appropriate way to manage mallet finger injuries and which of three types of splint intervention provided the best results. Data was collected at outpatient hand therapy clinics in two Victorian public hospitals and one private clinic by practitioners Emmaline Fooks, Kylie Chandler, Melanie McCulloch, Lisa Licciardi, Ben Cunningham, Ellen Jacobs, Alison Hardman, Sharon Goldby and Zoe Milner. Elizabeth (Lisa) O'Brien from the Department of Occupational Therapy and Michael Bailey from the Department of Epidemiology from Monash University co-ordinated the assessment of the data. Data on mallet finger injury was collected from patients suffering the condition and de-identified for assessment. Data collected compared prefabricated stack, dorsal padded aluminium splint and custom thermoplastic thimble splint techniques in patients with acute type 1a or b mallet finger. The three types of splint were worn for 8 weeks continuously, with a 4 week graduated withdrawal and exercise program then assessed for the most tolerated splint and the best outcome for the patient. Data measured primary outcome (extensor lag) at 12 and 20 weeks.