UE and Spinal Orthoses

Question 1

What are some of the UE orthoses?

Answer 1

HO - hand orthosis
WHO - wrist hand orthosis
EO - elbow orthosis
EWHO  - elbow wrist hand orthosis
SO -  shoulder orthosis

Question 2

What is the function of a hand orthosis (HO)? Example?

Answer 2

• Maintain, assist or provide opposition by stabilizing thumb in a functional position
• Opponens Orthosis/Spica Splint

Question 3

What patient population use Thumb Spica Splint and CMC joint supports?

Answer 3

Patients with osteoarthritis

Question 4

What is another name for Wrist Hand Orthosis (WHO) with hard plastic/rigid finger and wrist placement?

Answer 4

“Resting Hand Splint”

Question 5

When is a “Resting Hand Splint” used? What does it do?

Answer 5

• Commonly used to prevent contractures
• Maintains neutral/static wrist, hand, and finger
• May be helpful to take off during transfers to promote weight bearing through UE*

Question 6

What is a common name for WHO with free fingers and thumb movement?

Answer 6

“cock-up splint”

Question 7

When is a “cock-up splint” used? What does it do?

Answer 7

• Commonly used in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome

- Maintains wrist in slight extension

Question 8

When is a WHO with a solid/rigid plastic wrist splint used? What does it do?

Answer 8

• Commonly used with fxs or mild-mod soft tissue sprains/strains of distal forearm, wrist & proximal hand
• Maintains wrist in static position

Question 9

What is a common name for WHO with hinge joint at wrist and splinting at first 3 digits? (looks robotic/high-tech hand)

Answer 9

“tenodesis orthosis”

Question 10

When is a “tenodesis orthosis” used? What does it do?

Answer 10

• Commonly used in cases of cervical spinal cord injury that result in paralysis of prehension
• Creates approximation of the 2nd and 3rd digits and the thumb with active extension of the wrist
• Gain finger function by linking joints together*
• *Have proximal function but do not have distal neurological function (proximal parts work the distal parts) **