Splinting of hand in leprosy - are we aware? A 6 month prospective study of claw hand

Leprosy is a progressive disease which may lead to loss of function and even incapacitating deformities in a significant proportion of patients6. These deformities can be improved to some extent with the use of physiotherapy and application of corrective splints. This study highlights use of 4 types of splints (gutter splints, finger loop splints, opponens loop splints, adductor bands) in a group of 14 patients. They were followed up over a period of 4 months. Improvement was measured by subjectively asking the patient about improvement, photographic documentation and charting the deformity by'ink impression' technique After 4 months all patients showed marked improvement in all parameters. Hence it is important to educate health care workers about correct application of splints.