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4.position of safe immobilisation
1. The Position of Safe
Immobilisation (POSI)
Juliet Schneemann
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Masters of Occupational Therapy
julietchapman@hotmail.com
2. Overview of Presentation
What is the POSI?
Why is it important?
When should it be used?
How to splint a POSI?
Key points
Questions
References
3. What is the POSI?
A position to rest the hand during periods of immobilisation
James (1962, 1970) - Joint position can influence risk of
contractures
MCP joints are safe when immobilised in flexion & most unsafe in
extension
PIP joints are safe when immobilised in extension & most unsafe
in flexion
Also known as:
The intrinsic plus position
Table top position
The James position
Edinburgh position
Clam digger
“The MCPJs are safe from contracture in flexion & most unsafe in extension; the PIPJs,
conversely, are safe in extension & exceedingly unsafe if immobilised in flexion” (James, 1970)
4. MCP flexion 60-90°
PIP in full extension
DIP in full extension
Wrist extension 10-45°
What is the POSI?
5. Why is it an Important Position?
Excessive immobilisation, incorrect positioning, trauma,
inflammation, infection, tumor, CNS disease, joint
destruction can all lead to joint stiffness & intrinsic
contractures
Joint stiffness & contractures can lead to deformities &
functional disability
Immobilising the hand in the POSI can minimise/prevent
joint stiffness & intrinsic contractures
6. Basic Anatomy of the Finger (excluding
tendons)
Bones: Metacarpal, Proximal Phalanx, Middle Phalanx,
Distal Phalanx
Joints: Metacarpal Phalangeal (MCP), Proximal
Interphalangeal (PIP), Distal Interphalangeal (DIP)
Support Structures of the Fingers
Joint capsule, Volar plate, Collateral ligaments, Palmar
ligaments, Extensor hood
Collateral ligaments provide lateral joint stability whilst
the hand is being used for functional activities
The length of the collateral ligaments are critical in
allowing normal joint motion
Why is it an Important Position?
7. Anatomy of the Metacarpal Joint
MCP joint is a condyloid/ellipsoid joint
MCP Flexion
Collateral ligaments are stretched & tight
Greater bone surface area contact causing more joint stability
MCP Extension
Collateral ligaments are lax & loose
Less bone surface contact causing less joint stability
Why is it an Important Position?
“It is well known that the MCP develop an extensor contracture if they are held in extension
for as little as 3 weeks” (James, 1970)
8. Anatomy of the IP Joints
IP joints are hinge joints
IP Flexion:
Collateral ligaments are lax & loose
Fibers between the collateral ligament &
palmar plate contract
IP Extension
Collateral ligaments are stretched & tight
Volar plate is maximally stretched
Why is it an Important Position?
“It is easier to regain flexion than extension at the PIPJ after a period of immobilisation”
(Hardy,2004)
9. When should it be used?
Fractures
Metacarpals (neck, head, shaft)
Phalanges (proximal, excluding volar plate injuries)
Tendon Injuries
Flexor tendon (wrist in flexion not extension)
Extensor tendon (depending on zone, surgery & surgeon’s advice)
Nerve injuries (depending on level & type of injury)
Burns (all hand burns unless indicated otherwise)
Preventing scar contractures (following soft tissue injury & surgery)
Hand replants (position depends on structures involved & surgeon’s advice)
Corrective Splinting
“MP joint stiffness with loss of flexion is the most common post operative soft tissue complication of P1
fractures.
Therefore, protective splinting must rest the MCPJ in flexion.” (Hardy, 2004)
11. How to splint in the POSI?
Apply back slab or cast in usual manner then place one
hand on the volar aspect of forearm and the other hand
on the dorsum of the hand
The splint should usually be applied to the volar surface
(exception may be if a patient has a burn on the volar
surface)
Aim to achieve an ideal POSI as soon as possible, as
changes to soft tissue can begin after just 3 days
“Simple errors in the plaster for a Colles’ fracture which block flexion at the MCP joints, and
similar minor errors give imperfect results in these patient. It cannot be stressed too much
how rapidly these joints stiffen in the dangerous position even in young people, how
irreversible the situation is even with activephysiotherapy, and how simple are the mistakes
that lead to these difficulties” (James, 1970)
13. Key Principles for Effective Splinting
REDUCE
Reduction of the fracture is maintained
Eliminate contractures through positioning
Don’t immobilise fractures more than 3 weeks
Uninvolved joints should not be splinted in stable
fractures
Creases of the should should not be obstructed by the
splint
Early active tendon gliding is encouraged
Unpublished work by Greer, 1998. Splinting for closed metacarpal
fractures. 4th
International Congress of IFSHT. Vancouver, BC:
International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy. As cited in
Hardy, 2004)
14. Key Points to Take Home
Incorrect positioning during periods of immobilisation can
lead to shortening of the collateral ligaments, which
results in hand stiffness & contractures
Hand stiffness & contractures can lead to significant loss
of hand function
The POSI allows the collateral ligaments to be in a
position of stretch, which limits shortening
The POSI can be used for a wide range of hand related
injuries & conditions
The hand should be placed in the POSI as soon as
possible to prevent stiffness & contractures
Early referral for hand therapy is vital in preventing
unnecessary hand stiffness & contractures
15. Any Questions?
“Any hand injury is incomplete without
appropriate rehabilitation in the post
repair/reconstruction period”
(Karunadasa, 2015)
16. References
Boscheinen-Morrin, J., & Conolly, B. (2003). The Hand: Fundamentals of Therapy (3rd
ed.) Elsevier Science Limited, Avon, Great Britain.
Bueno, E., Benjamin, M., Sisk, G., Sampson, C., Carty, M., Pribaz, J., Pomahac, B.,
& Talbot, S. (2014). Rehabilitation following hand transplantation. Hand. 9, 9-15.
Bruner, J. (1963). Problems of postoperative position & motion in surgery of the hand.
Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 35A(2), 355-366.
Cooper, C. (2007). Fundamentals of Hand Therapy: Clinical Reasoning & Treatment
Guidelines for Common Diagnoses of the Upper Extremity. Mosby Elsevier, Missouri,
USA.
Dean, B., & Little, C. (2010). Fractures of the metacarpals & phalanges. Orthopaedics
& Trauma. 25(1), 43-56.
Hardy, M. (2004). Principles of metacarpal & phalangeal fracture management: A
review of rehabilitation concepts. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
34(12), 781-799.
James, J. (1970). Common, simple errors in the management of hand injuries.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine Journal. 63, 69-71.
Karunadasa, K. (2015). Management of the injured hand- basic principles in
rehabilitation. The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery. 33(2), 25-28.
Kucynski, K. (1968). The proximal interphalangeal joint: Anatomy & causes of
stiffness in the fingers.The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 50B(3), 656-663.
17. References
Markiewitz, A. (2013). Complications of hand fractures & their prevention. Hand
Clinic. 29, 601-620.
Moran, C. (1989). Anatomy of the hand. Journal of the American Physical Therapy
Association. 69, 1007-1013.
Rath, S. (2011). Hand kinematics: Application in clinical practice. Indian Journal of
Plastic Surgery. 44(2), 178-185.
Schreuders, T., & Prosser, R. (No Date). Fractures, luxation & ligament teasr of the
hand & wrist. Erasmus University Rotterdam the Netherlands & Sydney Hand
Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre Australia. Retreievd from
www.handweb.nl/uploads/files/docus/fractures_and_luxation.pdf on 31st August,
2015.
Schreuders, T., Brandsma, J., & Stam, H. (2006). The intrinsic muscles of the hand:
Function, assessment & principles for therapeutic intervention. Physikalische Medizin
Rehabilitationsmedizin Kurortmedizin . 16, 1-9.
Sprague, M. (1975). Proximal interphalangeal joint injuries & their initial treatment.
The Journal of Trauma. 15(5), 380-385.
Taams, K., Ash, G., & Johannes, S. (1996). Maintaining the safe position in a palmar
splint. Journal of Hand Surgery, British & European Volume. 21B(3), 396-399.
Tavassoli, J., Ruland. R., Hogan, C., & Cannon, D. (2005). Three cast techniques for
the treatment of extra-articular metacarpal fractures: Comparison of short-term
outcomes & final fracture alignments. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, American
Volume. 87, 2196-201.
The POSI position refers to a position used to rest the hand during periods of immobilisation.
It was identified as an important position by John Ivor Pulsford James, a Professor of orthopaedic surgery. He recognised in the early 1960’s that the MCP joints recover better from a period of immobilisation when placed in flexion and the IP joints recover better when in extension.
Since then, there have been many different names used to refer to this particular position and extensive research emphasising the importance of this position.
The POSI Position is where the wrist is held in moderate extension (10-45), MCP joints in flexion (70-90) and PIP joints in neutral. The exact degrees can vary slightly depending the on reason for splinting and conditions of the persons hand (e.g. injury, surgery, existing problems)
Can I get everyone to hold their hand up in this position?
Who is familiar with this type of hand position? What can you tell me about it? When might you see this happen? What are the problems with this?
We know that excessive immobilisation, incorrect positioning, trauma, inflammation, infection, disease, joint degeneration can all lead to joint stiffness and contractures.
One of the biggest problems with joint stiffness and contractures is that it can result in significant deformities that can lead to functional disability. That is, a person may no longer be able to do their day to day activities independently and can end up having to rely on someone else for assistance.
As Professor James recognised, by using the intrinsic plus position for periods of immobilisation, we are able to minimise and prevent joint stiffness & contractures from occurring.
When active motion is not permitted after an injury or surgery and oedema is present, preventing the development of contractures is critical
We know that swollen joints predictably move into positions that permit the greatest expansion of the joint capsule & collateral ligaments, and that injured hands will tend to rest in its weakest position. Therefore, as oedema increases the hand typically moves into a position of wrist flexion, MP extension, IP flexion & thumb adduction. (Hardy, 2004) This position is also referred to as the claw and it can be extremely difficult and sometimes even impossible to correct, especially the longer the hand is in this position.
This should never really be a position that an injured hand should be held in.
Can I get everyone to make a claw position and now the POSI position?
To understand why the POSI position is important for preventing contractures and deformities during periods of immobilisation, we must understand several key things about the anatomy of the fingers.
As a very quick overview of the basic anatomy, we know that
The bones include the MC, PP, MP, and DP. The joints involved are the MCPJ, PIPJ and DIPJ
The structures that provide support to these joints include the joint capsule, volar/palmar plate, collateral ligaments and the extensor hood
I’m going to focus on the collateral ligaments and volar plates as they are the key structure involved in the POSI position
The metacarpal joint is shaped in a way that allows movement in two planes, allowing for abduction, adduction, and rotation, as well as flexion and extension. Because of this movement it is classified as an ellipsoid joint.
The collateral ligaments are positioned laterally and dorsal to the axis of rotation of the MCP joint. This particular positioning of the collateral ligaments allows for variable degrees of tightness on the ligaments based on the position of the joint. When the joint is in extension, the collateral ligaments are lax. In flexion, the collateral ligaments span a greater distance and are tight
Evidence has shown us that MCP joints recover well from being in a position of flexion because the ligaments are held in a position of stretch which prevents shortening
But also because of the stable position the metacarpal head & volar plates are in when in flexion. (as you can see in the top diagram)
Whilst a position of flexion is required to prevent MCP joint stiffness, the opposite if required to prevent IP joint stiffness. Again, this is due to the shape of the phalangeal head, volar plate & collateral ligament anatomy.
The IP joint is a hinge joint, allowing only flexion and extension. In comparison to the MCP joints, The PIP joint collateral ligaments originate close to the axis of rotation, providing a smaller change in length with joint position and providing lateral stability. The trochlear shape of the PIP joint also adds to its lateral stability.
Research performed on cadavers' has shown that the volar plate of the IP joint is maximally stretched when in extension, and this prevents the volar plate from moving proximally which can lead to further joint complications (Splinting- Final)
The final position involved in the POSI position, although it is not as significant as the MCP and IP joints, is that of the wrist. Research has shown that by keeping the wrist at an angle of 30 extensions it facilitates maintaining the POSI position as it relaxes the long extensor tendons and the dorsal skin of the hand (Hand Kinematics) allowing the MCPs to remain in a flexed position more easily. If the wrist is in flexion it is harder to achieve MCP flexion.
Let’s try this. Hold your hand up with you wrist in extension, now make a fist. Pretty easy right? Now relax your hand and move your wrist into flexion, now make a fist. There is much more tightness over the dorsal part of the hand and it is harder to make a tight fist.
So you can see that having the wrist in extension makes it easier to maintain MCP flexion
The POSI position is used for many different types of hand conditions and injuries due to it’s ability to prevent stiffness and contractures during periods of immobilisation.
It can be used for many fractures of the Metacarpals and Phalanges and soft tissue injuries
Metacarpal neck fracture- MCP 70° flexion – tight collateral ligaments will stabilise MCP head in place
Flexor tendon- depends on specific protocol – approximately wrist 20-30 flexion, MCP 50-60 flexion, IPs neutral
Here is an interesting case study from Professor James, 1970, the surgeon who identified the IPP. It goes to show how important positioning is even if the period of immobilisation is only relatively short
Examples of when we don’t use it: when we are resting the joints due to pain caused by arthritis or CRPS, after Dupuytren’s release (hand is in full extension to counteract scar contracture),
Splinting in the POSI position can be achieved several different ways and using different types of materials. But the key thing to remember is that the hand must have the MCPs flexed and the IPs in extension, to ensure that the collateral ligaments are being stretched.
Incorrect immobilisation can lead to shortening of the collaterals, and if you feel the person’s hand is not in an ideal intrinsic plus position it is important to correct the position as soon as possible. As changes to soft tissue can begin after 3 days.
It is recommended to apply the splint to the volar surface of the hand and to use your own hands to emphasis and achieve the position.
Here are some examples of splints used to achieve an IPP for different situations
The metal splint used for fracture of the proximal phalanx of the finger (James, 1970)