Hand injuries are common. They range from a serious bone break from a fall, to carpal tunnel resulting from excessive typing or writing. Regardless of the nature of the injury, hand splints provide a support mechanism to decrease pain and help heal any injury or surgical procedure.
Splinting the upper extremity requires a unique combination of the physical therapist's creative abilities and a sound knowledge of anatomic, biomechanical, physiologic, and healing principles as they relate to injury, surgery, and disease.
Splints can be pre-made or custom made by a trained physical therapist. Each splint is specifically tailored to the type of injury.
There are a variety of hand injuries that may cause the need for a splint. Bone fractures, strained ligaments, torn muscles, arthritis, muscular atrophy, wrist sprains, hand surgery or circulation problems are all reasons that may justify the application of a hand splint. Splints typically extend from the hand to the wrist and lower arm. This is to ensure that the hand receives the proper support from the adjacent bones and muscles. Splints may be removable or permanent, depending on the severity of the injury.
Hand splints support the injured areas by holding it in the proper anatomical position.
Applications/Benefits:
- Prevent or Correct Deformity
- Improve or Provide Function
- Increase or Maintain Range of Motion
- Relieve Pain
- Facilitate Healing
- Protect Newly Repaired Tissue (Tendons, Nerve)
- Control Scaring
- Stretch a Contracture (Tight Muscles, Tissue)
- Reduce Stress Placed on Joints During Activities
