A Study on the Normative Values of Finger Flexion Cascade in Power Grip Users and Non-power Grip Users

• Published in: Journal of clinical and diagnostic research Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. YC01 - YC07
• Main Authors: Varghese, Jibu George, Venugopal, Vidhya, Srinivasan, V, Priya, GA Geetha Hari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 01.05.2020
• Subjects: composite finger flexion; distal joints of hand; fingers; goniometer; occupation; range of values
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X
• DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2020/43340.13677

Introduction: The adult hand forms a normal Finger Flexion Cascade (FFC) when at rest. It is the normal alignment of the fingers with some flexion of the digits. The index finger assumes less flexion when compared to the little finger which acquires more progressive flexion when at rest. FFC can vary with occupation as prolonged period of work can have an influence on flexion of joints of hand. Certain occupations cause injury to the long flexor tendons of the hand and can disrupt this natural FFC. Hence, an understanding of the normative values of the FFC is required to rehabilitate the subjects to their pre-injury level and manufacture of equipments that match the resting Range of Motion (ROM) values which can reduce the cumulative stress on joints of hand. Aim: To identify the range of values of FFC among individuals working with non-power grips and to compare the FFC between the individuals with occupations involving power grip and individuals with non-power grip occupations and hence identify the minimal resting ROM values required for both the groups. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mixed population of 510 active individuals, aged between 25 and 40 years, belonging to various occupations like heavy equipment handling, industrial work and individuals working with software company. After completing a questionnaire based on occupation, the subjects were grouped into Power Grip Users (PGU) (Group I) and Non-Power Grip Users (NPGU) (Group II). Among 260 subjects included in PGU group, 10 were excluded from the study due to severe callosities and deformity in the hand; 250 subjects working in Software Company were included in NPGU group. The ROM of the joints of all the fingers namely, Metacarpophalangeal (MCP), Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) and Distal Interphalangeal (DIP) joints of both dominant hand and non-dominant hand were measured for all the 500 subjects in both the groups, using universal finger goniometer and the composite finger flexion was measured using a geometric ruler. The results were recorded and Un-paired t-test was used to compare the FFC between PGU and NPGU groups. Results: The FFC variations in both the dominant and non-dominant hands of subjects in PGU and NPGU were recorded. It was found that the DIP joint of 5th digit, PIP joint of the 4th digit and MCP joint of the 3rd digit was more than the other digits in both the hands. The comparison between range of values of both groups revealed that the values in PGU group were more than the NPGU group with a statistical significance of p<0.001. Conclusion: The FFC was found to be more closed in the PGU than in the NPGU.