PLASTER OF PARIS SPLINTAGE FOR THE HAND: VOLAR OR DORSAL?

The effectiveness of a volar or a dorsal plaster of Paris slab for splinting a hand in the 'safe' position was studied prospectively. Seventy-two splints, comprising 36 dorsal and 36 volar, were applied. Measurements of the metarcarpophalangeal joint angle and the proximal interphalangeal joint angle on the lateral radiograph revealed the volar splint to be significantly more consistent in securing the proximal interphalangeal joint angle at less than 15 degrees. There was no significant difference between volar or dorsal splints for the metarcarpophalangeal joint angle. As the volar splint was also subjectively more comfortable, its use is recommended.