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Conservative Treatment With Relative Motion Flexion Orthosis for Boutonniere Injuries in Fingers

2. november 2026 opdateret af: Lund University Hospital

Conservative Treatment With Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) Orthosis for Boutonniere Injuries

Boutonnière injuries involve damage to the central slip of the extensor tendon over the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint (zone III) of the finger. These injuries disrupt the balance of the extensor mechanism, leading to volar displacement of the lateral bands and progressive development of Boutonnière deformity, characterized by PIP joint flexion and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint hyperextension. Due to the gradual onset and closed nature of the injury, diagnosis is often delayed, and untreated cases may result in joint contractures, reduced range of motion (ROM), pain, and functional limitations.

Treatment is typically conservative and requires prolonged immobilization and splinting, often followed by dynamic orthoses such as Capener splints. However, evidence supporting current treatment strategies is limited and clinical outcomes are variable. Recently, the Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) orthosis has been introduced as an alternative approach aimed at restoring extensor mechanism balance. Existing evidence is limited to small or heterogeneous studies, highlighting the need for further evaluation.

This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of RMF orthosis treatment in patients with Boutonnière injuries. The primary objective is to evaluate changes in finger range of motion (ROM) and to estimate variability and within-subject correlations to inform sample size calculations for a future randomized controlled trial. Additional feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate, adherence to treatment, and practicality of measurement procedures.

Secondary objectives include evaluating pain, grip strength, functional hand limitations in daily activities, and patient-reported tolerability and comfort of the orthosis.

The study will be conducted as a prospective longitudinal cohort pilot study with repeated within-subject measurements at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. A total of 25 adult patients with acute or subacute closed zone III extensor tendon injuries will be recruited consecutively at the Hand Surgery Rehabilitation Unit, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö.

Inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years, positive pencil test, and confirmed central slip injury. Exclusion criteria include open injuries, significant joint contractures (>20°), chronic injuries (>1 year), previous surgery or trauma in the same finger, concomitant fractures or tendon/nerve injuries, inflammatory arthropathies, and severe cognitive or psychiatric conditions or substance abuse.

All participants will receive treatment with an RMF orthosis according to a structured protocol consisting of 6 weeks of continuous use followed by 6 weeks of intermittent daytime and nighttime use. No separate control group will be included; analyses will be based on within-subject comparisons over time.

Primary outcome is ROM measured at the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints using a goniometer. Secondary outcomes include pain (Numeric Rating Scale), grip strength (Jamar dynamometer), hand function (QuickDASH), adherence and tolerability questionnaires, and recruitment rate.

Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric longitudinal methods, including Friedman tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired comparisons across time points.

The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, with ethical approval sought from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. All participants will provide informed consent, and data will be pseudonymized in accordance with GDPR. The study poses minimal risk, and participants will be monitored throughout treatment with adjustments made as needed.

This pilot study will generate essential data on treatment variability, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of RMF orthosis use. The results will inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial and may contribute to improved evidence-based management of Boutonnière injuries, potentially leading to better functional outcomes and more efficient rehabilitation strategies.

Studieoversigt

Status

Rekruttering

Betingelser

Intervention / Behandling

Detaljeret beskrivelse

Boutonnière injuries involve disruption of the central slip of the extensor tendon over the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint (zone III) of the finger. This leads to imbalance in the extensor mechanism, with volar displacement of the lateral bands and progressive development of Boutonnière deformity, characterized by PIP flexion and compensatory DIP hyperextension. Due to the often gradual onset and closed injury mechanism, diagnosis is frequently delayed. If untreated, the condition may result in stiffness, joint contractures, pain, reduced range of motion (ROM), and long-term functional impairment.

Current conservative treatment typically consists of prolonged immobilization of the PIP joint in extension, followed by dynamic orthotic management. Although widely used, evidence supporting existing treatment strategies is limited and outcomes are variable. Treatment is often demanding for patients due to prolonged splinting and restricted hand function during rehabilitation.

The Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) orthosis has been introduced as an alternative treatment strategy aimed at restoring balance within the extensor mechanism while allowing greater functional use of the hand during rehabilitation. However, current evidence is limited to small case series, heterogeneous cohorts, and studies with methodological limitations. Further prospective evaluation is therefore needed.

This study is designed as a prospective longitudinal pilot cohort study with repeated within-subject measurements. The primary purpose is to evaluate feasibility and to generate parameters required for planning a future randomized controlled trial, including estimates of variability in range of motion outcomes and within-subject correlations over time.

The study will also explore preliminary effects of RMF orthosis treatment on finger range of motion, as well as secondary outcomes including pain, grip strength, functional hand limitations, and patient-reported tolerability and adherence.

A total of 25 adult patients with acute or subacute closed central slip injuries (zone III) will be recruited consecutively at the Hand Surgery Rehabilitation Unit, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

Participants will be treated with an RMF orthosis according to a structured rehabilitation protocol consisting of 6 weeks of continuous use followed by 6 weeks of intermittent use during daytime and nighttime. Treatment is delivered as part of routine rehabilitation follow-up, with adjustments made as clinically indicated.

Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after treatment initiation. Primary outcome is range of motion (ROM) measured at the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints using a goniometer. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale), grip strength (Jamar dynamometer), hand function (QuickDASH), and a study-specific questionnaire assessing adherence and tolerability. Recruitment rate will be recorded as number of eligible patients included per month.

As a pilot study, no control group is included. Analyses will focus on within-subject changes over time and estimation of parameters needed for sample size calculation in a future randomized controlled trial. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric longitudinal methods, including Friedman tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired comparisons across time points.

The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval will be sought from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. All data will be pseudonymized and handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations (GDPR). The study involves minimal risk, and participants will be monitored throughout the rehabilitation period.

This pilot study will provide essential feasibility data and preliminary clinical outcomes for RMF orthosis treatment. The results will inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial and may contribute to improved evidence-based management of Boutonnière injuries, with the potential to enhance functional recovery and optimize rehabilitation strategies.

Undersøgelsestype

Interventionel

Tilmelding (Anslået)

25

Fase

  • Ikke anvendelig

Kontakter og lokationer

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Studiekontakt

Undersøgelse Kontakt Backup

  • Navn: Elisabeth Brogren, PhD
  • Telefonnummer: +46 40 331185

Studiesteder

    • Skåne County
      • Malmö, Skåne County, Sverige, 205 02
        • Rekruttering
        • Skåne University Hospital (Hand Surgery Rehabilitation Unit)
        • Kontakt:

Deltagelseskriterier

Forskere leder efter personer, der passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kaldet berettigelseskriterier. Nogle eksempler på disse kriterier er en persons generelle helbredstilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Berettigelseskriterier

Aldre berettiget til at studere

18 år og ældre (Voksen, Ældre voksen)

Tager imod sunde frivillige

Ingen

Køn, der er berettiget til at studere

Alle

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • persons with acute and subacute closed injurt to the central slip/extensor tendon zon 3
  • positive pencil test

Exclusion Criteria:

  • open injury or infection
  • joint contracture >20
  • trauma >1 year ago
  • previous trauma or surgery in the same finger
  • simultaneous crush injury
  • concomitant fracture and/or digital nerve injury and/or flexor tendon injury
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • drug abuse, sever cognitive impairment, or severe psychological disorder

Studieplan

Dette afsnit indeholder detaljer om studieplanen, herunder hvordan undersøgelsen er designet, og hvad undersøgelsen måler.

Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?

Design detaljer

  • Primært formål: Behandling
  • Tildeling: N/A
  • Interventionel model: Enkelt gruppeopgave
  • Maskning: Ingen (Åben etiket)

Våben og indgreb

Deltagergruppe / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Eksperimentel: Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) orthosis intervention group

Participants in this arm receive treatment with a Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) orthosis as part of a structured rehabilitation protocol. The intervention consists of 6 weeks of continuous orthosis use followed by 6 weeks of intermittent use during daytime and nighttime. No control intervention is used, and outcomes are assessed longitudinally within the same participants over time.

The intervention consists of treatment with a Relative Motion Flexion (RMF) orthosis for patients with Boutonnière injuries of the finger (zone III extensor tendon injuries). The orthosis is applied according to a structured rehabilitation protocol consisting of 6 weeks of continuous wear, followed by 6 weeks of intermittent use during daytime and nighttime. The aim of the intervention is to restore extensor mechanism balance while allowing functional use of the hand during rehabilitation. Participants receive standard follow-up at the hand surgery rehabilitation unit, with adjustments made as clinically indicated.

Hvad måler undersøgelsen?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Range Of Motion (ROM)
Tidsramme: baseline, 3 months, 12 months

Range of Motion in each joint MCP, PIP, DIP

baseline, 3 months, 12 months
Range of motion (ROM)
Tidsramme: baseline, 3 months, 12 months

Active range of motion assessed with a finger goniometer

baseline, 3 months, 12 months

Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere

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Sponsor

Publikationer og nyttige links

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Generelle publikationer

Datoer for undersøgelser

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Studer store datoer

Studiestart (Faktiske)

30. juni 2026

Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)

31. december 2027

Studieafslutning (Anslået)

31. december 2027

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først indsendt

2. november 2026

Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier

2. november 2026

Først opslået (Faktiske)

6. november 2026

Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler

Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)

6. november 2026

Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier

2. november 2026

Sidst verificeret

1. juni 2026

Mere information

Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse

Andre undersøgelses-id-numre

  • no grant number assigned
  • Region Skåne FoU funding (Anden identifikator: no grant number assigned)

Plan for individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)

Planlægger du at dele individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)?

INGEN

IPD-planbeskrivelse

IPD will not be publicly shared. De-identified data may be available upon reasonable request and ethical approval.

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