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Long, short and mini splints perform alike after flexor tendon repair; FDA alert warns of fire risk as Medline exits bed market
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Long, short and mini splints showed no significant difference in patient-rated wrist and hand scores after finger flexor tendon repair in a 430-patient randomized trial at 26 U.K. hospitals, published in The BMJ. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an early alert on fire and entrapment risks with all Medline beds, including homecare beds, after two deaths and 16 serious injuries.
THE DETAILS
- Research Oct 27, 2026The pragmatic FIRST trial at 26 U.K. hospitals randomly assigned 430 patients aged 16 or older after zone 1 and 2 flexor tendon repair to a long (143), short (140) or mini (147) splint, worn continuously for five weeks, according to The BMJ. Mean Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation scores, the primary outcome, were 24.5, 23.5 and 22.4. Adjusted differences were 0.3 (98.3% CI -4.0 to 4.6; P = .88) for long versus short and 2.3 (-1.9 to 6.5; P = .19) for long versus mini. Serious adverse events occurred in 10%, 11% and 11%.
- FDA Oct 29, 2026The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an early alert after Medline notified customers Oct. 14 of the discontinuation and market exit of all Medline Brand beds, including homecare, bariatric and long-term care beds. Overheating of the electrical components may progress to fire, and there is a potential risk of entrapment or asphyxiation, the FDA said. As of Oct. 20, Medline had reported two deaths and 16 serious injuries. The FDA said users should unplug the beds except while repositioning a patient and not use extension cords.Source: FDA
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