Splints

Question 1

Static splints
static-progressive splints
serial casting

Answer 1

no moving parts

Question 2

Resting hand splints

Answer 2

maintain: 
wrist at 20°–30° extension
thumb at 45° palmar abduction
MCPs at 35°–45° flexion
PIPs and DIPs in slight flexion

Question 3

Anti-deformity resting hand splints

Answer 3

aka burn intrinsic plus

maintain:
wrist at 30°–40° extension
thumb at 45° palmar abduction
MCPs at 70°–90° flexion
PIPs and DIPs in full extension

Question 4

Ball/cone antispasticity splints

Answer 4

ulnar/volar based

provide:
thumb palmar or radial abduction
hard surface in contact with finger flexors
serial casting for the wrist, elbow, knee, or ankle to decrease soft tissue contractures

Question 5

purposes for dynamic splints

Answer 5

To correct contractures: Mechanical stretch of prolonged gentle pull over 8–12 hours to remodel soft tissue
To increase passive motion: Finger loop angle of pull of 90°; adjust splint as client improves to maintain 90° angle of pull
To protect recent hand flexor tendon repair surgery: Dorsal blocking splint with hinged wrist and joint wrist blocks to maintain wrist extension at 30° and MCP extension at 60° while allowing full wrist flexion (Skirven et al., 2011).
To substitute for lost active motion: Radial nerve injury splint, with dynamic MCP extension assist if needed

Question 6

A soft, circumferential orthosis improves client compliance with wearing it

Answer 6

Carpal tunnel wrist support
Anti-vibration gloves
Neoprene wrap thumb support for CMC osteoarthritis and de Quervain syndrome
Forearm bands for medial and lateral epicondylitis
MCP anti–ulnar deviation splints for rheumatoid arthritis
Buddy taping
Neoprene tube digit extension splint
Pediatric neoprene thumb abductor and supinator TheraTogs