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 patients. 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 the 'ink impression' technique.  After 4 months, all patients showed marked improvement in all parameters. Hence, it is important to educate health care workers about the correct application of splints.