An Inexpensive Hand Volume Tank JOHN K. THOMPSON, B.S., BILL M. GRIST, B.S., and ROBERT L. SHOEMAKE, B.S.
We have found that the best clinical method of assessing swelling in the hand is by volu metric measurement. Much of our treatment of hands is aimed at decreasing the swelling so that motion might be increased. Assessing change in swelling and, therefore, improvement is inaccu rate when done visually. In one method of determining hand volume, a tank with an overflow outlet and a graduated cylinder are used to measure the amount of water displaced. 1 ' 2 For many physical therapy departments, the cost of such a tank is prohibitive. We suggest making your own tank from an object that is usually thrown away—an empty plastic container. Cut the top off the container with a razor blade. Then cut an inverted V in the container to make it into a hand volume tank (Figure). The inverted V is bent in a downward direction to form an overflow spout. The only purchase you need to make is a graduated cylinder. To measure the volume of a hand, fill the tank until water flows from the spout. When the water stops flowing, the hand is ready to be immersed. A line should be drawn on one of the wrist creases to assure accuracy of repeated measures. The patient should be instructed to immerse his hand up to the line on the wrist crease, and water should be collected from the
Figure. Hand volume tank. spout the instant the hand is immersed. Some spilling may occur at the corners of the spout, but if the spout is cut correctly and bent at the proper downward angle, the spilling should be minimal. The collected water is then measured in the graduated cylinder. If a hand is large, the patient may have to close it as much as possible to immerse it completely. We have found our hand volume tank to be a valuable clinical tool. REFERENCES
Mr. Thompson is Vice President, Physicians' Physi cal Therapy Service, P.C., 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205. Mr. Grist is a physical therapist with Physicians' Physical Therapy Service, P.C., and Mr. Shoemake is President, Physicians' Physical Therapy Service, P.C.
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1. Barclay TL: Edema following operation for Dupuytren's contracture. Plast Reconstr Surg 23:348-359, 1959 2. Rembe EC: Use of cryotherapy on the postsurgical rheumatoid hand. Phys Ther 50:19-23, 1970
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/55/7/766/4567671 by University of Texas at Dallas - McDermott Library user on 15 February 2019
suggestions from the field
We have found that the best clinical method of assessing swelling in the hand is by volu metric measurement. Much of our treatment of hands is aimed at decreasing the swelling so that motion might be increased. Assessing change in swelling and, therefore, improvement is inaccu rate when done visually. In one method of determining hand volume, a tank with an overflow outlet and a graduated cylinder are used to measure the amount of water displaced. 1 ' 2 For many physical therapy departments, the cost of such a tank is prohibitive. We suggest making your own tank from an object that is usually thrown away—an empty plastic container. Cut the top off the container with a razor blade. Then cut an inverted V in the container to make it into a hand volume tank (Figure). The inverted V is bent in a downward direction to form an overflow spout. The only purchase you need to make is a graduated cylinder. To measure the volume of a hand, fill the tank until water flows from the spout. When the water stops flowing, the hand is ready to be immersed. A line should be drawn on one of the wrist creases to assure accuracy of repeated measures. The patient should be instructed to immerse his hand up to the line on the wrist crease, and water should be collected from the
Figure. Hand volume tank. spout the instant the hand is immersed. Some spilling may occur at the corners of the spout, but if the spout is cut correctly and bent at the proper downward angle, the spilling should be minimal. The collected water is then measured in the graduated cylinder. If a hand is large, the patient may have to close it as much as possible to immerse it completely. We have found our hand volume tank to be a valuable clinical tool. REFERENCES
Mr. Thompson is Vice President, Physicians' Physi cal Therapy Service, P.C., 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205. Mr. Grist is a physical therapist with Physicians' Physical Therapy Service, P.C., and Mr. Shoemake is President, Physicians' Physical Therapy Service, P.C.
766
1. Barclay TL: Edema following operation for Dupuytren's contracture. Plast Reconstr Surg 23:348-359, 1959 2. Rembe EC: Use of cryotherapy on the postsurgical rheumatoid hand. Phys Ther 50:19-23, 1970
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/55/7/766/4567671 by University of Texas at Dallas - McDermott Library user on 15 February 2019
suggestions from the field
