Splinting Flashcards
Static Splint
Goal: protect, support, immobilize joints
Material: Can be custom made from thermoplastic or prefabricated
About:
No traction or force
No pressure applied
Examples: wrist splints, buddy tapes, full resting hand splints
Serial Static Splint
What: repeatedly re-molded or re-formed to account for increases/gains in ROM
Goal: to increase ROM by gradual tissue lengthening
About:
Alternative to serial casting
Splint itself is not stretching the tissue but in conjunction w/ therapy
Static Progressive Splint
What: static splint with a component that can be adjusted to increase ROM
About:
No movement while patient is wearing splint
Component of splint can be adjusted to increase ROM in joint (like a turn buckle) so splint doesn’t have to be constantly remolded and remade
Cons: Can be expensive and difficult to fit- must be applied exactly the same each time
Dynamic Splint
What: moveable, dynamic component designed to increase ROM by applying constant dynamic force
About: Applies some dynamic force/pressure to joint to stimulate lengthening of soft tissue
o Low load force over prolonged time lengthens tissues
o Good for severe or fluctuating spasticity
Cons:
• Must be careful of forces applying to joint- if angle is off, it can cause distortion, deviation, inflammation, etc
• Increased risk versus static splints
Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
Why: used after tenolysis, anthoplasty, tendon repain
How: Portion of splint is attached on either side of joint; motorized component is constantly moving 2 parts of splint to produce ROM at joint
Use: mostly post surgeries to free up tendons from scarring that have been scarred down
Immobilizing Splints (restrict unwanted motion)
o Airplane & Gunslinger: rotator cuff repair, humeral head dislocation/fraction
• Precautions: traction in brachial plexus- make sure patients’ hand has good nerve function
o Long Opponens Splint (Thumb Spica): immobilize and protect thumb
• Precautions: can be difficult to don and doff
o Ulnar Gutter Splint: immobilize 4th and 5th digit
• Precautions: ulnar styloids are bony- make sure splint is not rubbing against
o Resting Hand Splint: immobilize hand in neutral/functional position
o Single Digit Splints
Support Painful Joint splints
o Short Opponens Splint: immobilize thumb
• Functional, can still use hands for activities
• Precautions: may be painful to don/doff
Prevent Deformity splints
o Burn Injury: tissue heals, contracts, and gets tight over time
o Elbow Extension Splint: prevents contractures
o Dorsal MP Block-Lumbrical Splint: prevent extension of MPs of 4th and 5th digits after ulnar nerve injury
Correct Deformity Splint
o Arthritis: MPs drift into ulnar deviation- splint to move to neutral
o Tone: minimize effects of impaired tone with anti-spasticity splints
• Thumb in abduction and extension decreased overall tone in hand
Wrist Cock Up Splint
carpal tunnel syndrome radial nerve palsy tenosynovitis tendinitis wrist fractures rheumatoid arthritis osteoarthritis reflex sympathetic dystrophy wrist sprains
Resting Splint
Rheumatoid arthritis traumatic injuries burns tendon injuries stroke spinal cord injury CNS disease Infections
Thumb Spica Splint
Dequervain's Degenerative arthritis rheumatoid arthritis thumb sprains median nerve injuries
Hand resting position
wrist 10-20° extension
MCPs 30-45° flexion
IPs 0-20° flexion
thumb abducted
Volar Pan Splint
indicated for wrist, fingers, and thumb joints during acute synovitis
Wrist Stabilization Splint
indicated for wrist pain and to protect extensor tendons from rupture
