A figure-of-eight ring splint is two linked rings worn over a finger joint, one above and one below it, that stops the joint bending BACKWARDS while letting it bend forwards freely.
The plastic versions are sold as oval-8 splints. The custom-made metal versions are silver ring splints, and they look like jewelry.
They’re used for swan neck deformity, hypermobile fingers, and joints that snap or give way in rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
How a ring splint works
- Three points of pressure: the back of the ring sits over the joint, and the two front bands sit above and below it on the palm side
- When the joint tries to bend backwards, those three points block it
- When the joint bends forwards, the rings move with it, so grip and pinch stay normal
- Turned the other way round, some designs help a joint that won’t fully straighten, or support a joint that drifts sideways
A ring splint doesn’t hold the finger still. It just removes the one movement that causes the trouble.
What they’re used for
- Swan neck deformity: blocks the middle joint from hyperextending, which often stops the snap and the lock that makes the finger catch
- Hypermobility: fingers that bend back and give way during writing, typing or pinch
- Rheumatoid arthritis: swan neck, sideways drift and unstable joints
- Thumb base arthritis: a ring over the thumb knuckle stops it collapsing backwards during pinch
- Finger osteoarthritis: sideways-deviating or unstable end joints
Plastic or silver
- Oval-8 (plastic): inexpensive, sized from a kit, easy to trial. Good for finding out whether a ring helps before committing
- Silver ring splints: custom-made to measurements, slim, durable and adjustable. People wear them for years, and many are more willing to wear something that looks like a ring
Getting the fit right
- Swelling changes through the day. A ring that fits at noon can be tight in the morning and loose at night
- Size over the knuckle, not the base of the finger, because it has to slide over the joint
- The ring should sit with the joint slightly bent, never pushed fully straight
- Trial the plastic version for 2 to 4 weeks before ordering silver
Problems to watch for
- Red marks or rubbing on the sides of the finger
- A ring that spins round and loses its position
- Tingling if the ring presses on the side of the finger where the small nerves run
- Rings that won’t come off over a swollen knuckle
Get it checked if
- The finger turns pale, blue or numb
- The ring can’t be removed
- The joint is getting more deformed despite wearing it
This is one of dozens of splints a hand therapist makes. See what a hand therapist does for the full list.
Block the one bad movement, keep the rest of the hand working.
Every article on this site is written using the Closing Window Method: name the window your condition runs on, find where you are in it, and act while it’s still open.