Program
Occupational Therapy Graduate Program
College
Health Sciences (non-MD)
Student Level
Master's
Location
PAÍS Building
Start Date
10-11-2022 11:00 AM
End Date
10-11-2022 1:00 PM
Abstract
Study Design: Retrospective chart review of hospital medical records. Purpose: To explore types of interventions used by therapists for patients with a partial thumb or digit amputation and to examine changes in pain and function following therapy. Methods: Patient data from 134 charts spanning a three-year period between 2018 and 2021 were reviewed. The charts were identified using a search of the electronic medical record. Demographic information was extracted on age, gender, dominance, mechanism of injury along with pre and post therapy scores on visual/numerical analogue pain scales and the QuickDASH. Data was also collected on types of therapy interventions: range-of-motion, desensitization, strengthening, wound care, orthoses use, compression, and modalities. Results: Data extracted from 67 patients (52 men; 15 women) were included. Mean age was 45.6 years. Fifty-nine were right dominant, seven left dominant, and one reported being ambidextrous. Mechanisms of injuries in descending order of relative frequency included crush, saw (skill/ table), blade/laceration, bite, propelling blade, wood splitter, burn, gunshot wound, infection, motor vehicle accident, and vascular disease. Interventions used by therapists included range of motion (92.5%), strengthening (73.1%), wound care (73.1%), desensitization (76.1%), orthosis use (68.6%), compression (44.7%) and modalities (19.4%). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant change in pain (Z = -5.5742, p <.00001) and improved function/Quick-DASH (Z = -6.7087, p < .00001) following therapy interventions post digital amputations. Conclusion: This retrospective chart review suggests that patients referred to therapy following digit amputation have decreased pain and improved function. In addition, patients receive multiple interventions including ROM, strengthening, wound care, orthosis use, desensitization, compression, and modalities. Prospective studies are needed to compare which interventions are most effective in decreasing pain and improving function.
Exploration of Interventions and Outcomes Used Following Digit Amputation
PAÍS Building
Study Design: Retrospective chart review of hospital medical records. Purpose: To explore types of interventions used by therapists for patients with a partial thumb or digit amputation and to examine changes in pain and function following therapy. Methods: Patient data from 134 charts spanning a three-year period between 2018 and 2021 were reviewed. The charts were identified using a search of the electronic medical record. Demographic information was extracted on age, gender, dominance, mechanism of injury along with pre and post therapy scores on visual/numerical analogue pain scales and the QuickDASH. Data was also collected on types of therapy interventions: range-of-motion, desensitization, strengthening, wound care, orthoses use, compression, and modalities. Results: Data extracted from 67 patients (52 men; 15 women) were included. Mean age was 45.6 years. Fifty-nine were right dominant, seven left dominant, and one reported being ambidextrous. Mechanisms of injuries in descending order of relative frequency included crush, saw (skill/ table), blade/laceration, bite, propelling blade, wood splitter, burn, gunshot wound, infection, motor vehicle accident, and vascular disease. Interventions used by therapists included range of motion (92.5%), strengthening (73.1%), wound care (73.1%), desensitization (76.1%), orthosis use (68.6%), compression (44.7%) and modalities (19.4%). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant change in pain (Z = -5.5742, p <.00001) and improved function/Quick-DASH (Z = -6.7087, p < .00001) following therapy interventions post digital amputations. Conclusion: This retrospective chart review suggests that patients referred to therapy following digit amputation have decreased pain and improved function. In addition, patients receive multiple interventions including ROM, strengthening, wound care, orthosis use, desensitization, compression, and modalities. Prospective studies are needed to compare which interventions are most effective in decreasing pain and improving function.
