Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical effect of miniature stent combining hand orthosis in the prevention and treatment of thumb web contracture. Methods From February 2013 to October 2014, 42 cases with thumb web contracture were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups according to different treatments: stent & orthosis treatment group, stent treatment group, orthosis treatment group and conventional treatment group. After 16 weeks of follow-up, the width and angle of thumb web were observed and recorded. The superiority of each scheme was analyzed statistically. Results The width of thumb web increased (24.1±5.8) mm, (9.6±4.6) mm, (15.8±1.9) mm, (4.0±5.4) mm in stent & orthosis treatment group, stent treatment group, orthosis treatment group and conventional treatment group respectively 16 weeks after operation, and the differences among 4 groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The angle of thumb web increased (23.5±6.1)°, (9.6±4.6)°, (15.7±1.9)°, (3.9±5.4)°in stent&orthosis treatment group, stent treatment group, orthosis treatment group and conventional treatment group respectively 16 weeks after operation, and the differences among 4 groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Expect for one case of pinhole infection which cured after dressing change, no adverse reaction was observed. Conclusion Miniature stent combining hand orthosis for the prevention and treatment of thumb web contracture can effectively increase the width and angle of thumb web with less adverse reactions. It is worthy of popularization and application.

Key words: Thumb web contracture, Miniature stent, Hand orthosis