Conditions and injuries of the finger, hand, wrist, forearm and elbow: what they are, how they behave, and when they stop being minor.
A resting hand splint holds the wrist back, knuckles bent, fingers straight and thumb out, usually at night and between exercises for a few weeks. Why that position, who needs one, and how to wear it.
Both splints stop the forearm turning, which a wrist splint can’t. The sugar tong comes first after a broken wrist, usually for 1 to 3 weeks; the Muenster lets the elbow bend and is common for around 6 weeks after TFCC repair.
A dynamic splint uses an elastic, spring or strap to pull a stiff joint gently toward more movement. Most people wear it 20 to 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a day, for around 6 to 12 weeks.
Most people wear a hinged elbow brace for around 4 to 6 weeks after an elbow dislocation, ligament repair, distal biceps repair or fixed fracture, with the limits opened step by step.
Most adults wear a posterior elbow splint for a few days to 3 weeks after an elbow fracture, dislocation or surgery before movement starts. Children’s elbow fractures often stay in 3 to 4 weeks.
Buddy tape a sprained or jammed finger day and night for about 3 weeks, then for activity until week 6. How to tape it properly, and the injuries tape can’t hold.
An oval-8 or silver ring splint stops a finger joint bending backwards while letting it bend forwards. Most people wear it by day for the tasks that make the joint snap, often long term.
A PIP extension splint holds the middle finger joint dead straight, full-time for at least 6 weeks after a central slip (boutonniere) injury, then nights for 4 to 6 more. Which finger injuries need which splint, how it should fit, and how to wean off it.
A dorsal blocking splint is worn full-time for about 6 weeks after flexor tendon repair, then weaned over weeks 6 to 8. The angles, showering, sleeping, exercises and red flags.
Most people wear an ulnar or radial gutter splint for 3 to 6 weeks after a hand fracture, with the knuckles bent 70 to 90 degrees. Position, care, exercises and red flags.