ACTIVE TRACTION SPLINTING FOR PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT INJURIES

Proximal interphalangeal joint injuries can severely affect hand funct ion, Early, active motion is important in ensuring a good range of mot ion and a functional outcome, Active traction splinting is a dynamic s plinting system that can be performed with either open or closed reduc tion of phalangeal joint fractures, especially at the proximal interph alangeal level. This system allows for continued traction on the invol ved joint and thereby aids in providing a dynamic force that will unlo ad the joint throughout its are of motion and noticeably decrease pain . Early, active therapy and the continual in-line traction enables the patient to achieve an almost full range of motion early in the course of rehabilitation, This combination contributes significantly to impr ove patient understanding and compliance, The benefits of the active t raction system are reduction of fragments, marked decrease in pain, an d early range of motion with improved patient compliance, Early, activ e motion facilitates improved joint nutrition, contouring, and healing , Active traction splinting for proximal interphalangeal joint injurie s is a relatively simple and effective method for treating these compl ex injuries.