Upper Extremity and Spinal Orthoses Flashcards
Which orthosis is used for Gamekeeper’s thumb?
Thumb Spica Splint
- Thumb Spica Splint stabilizes the thumb in a functional position
- Preventing ulnar collateral ligament damage
What is the purpose of a resting hand splint?
Wrist Hand Orthosis (WHO)
Purpose = Prevent contractures
- It maintains the wrist, hand, and fingers in a neutral/static position, commonly used for immobilization.
Which orthosis is used for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Cock-Up Splint
- Maintains the wrist in slight extension to reduce pressure on the median nerve and alleviate symptoms.
What type of splint is used in cervical SCI patients to assist with grasp function?
Tenodesis Orthosis
- It facilitates opposition/prehension by approximating the thumb and fingers during active wrist extension.
Which splint is used for extensor tendon repair?
Static Volar Splint:
- Wrist immobilized in 30° extension
- MCP joints in 0–15° flexion
- IP joints in full extension.
What is the splinting protocol for flexor tendon repair?
Dorsal Blocking Splint (DBS):
- The wrist is immobilized in 45° flexion
- MCP joints in 40° flexion
- IP joints are allowed full extension to protect the repair
Which splint is used for mallet finger?
Stack Splint:
- Maintains the DIP joint in neutral or slight hyperextension for six weeks to support extensor tendon healing.
Which injury requires referral to a hand surgeon due to forced extension during active flexion?
Jersey Finger
- This injury involves the flexor digitorum profundus tendon and requires specialized surgical treatment.
What splinting technique is recommended for boutonniere deformity?
PIP Extension Splint:
- Maintains the PIP joint in full extension for six weeks to prevent flexion contractures.
- Aluminum splint
- oval 8 or ring splint
Which orthosis is used for hyperextension injuries involving the volar plate?
Custom PIP Splint:
- Protects the joint and supports stability to prevent deformity caused by ligament damage.
What is the purpose of a soft cervical collar?
Soft Cervical Collar:
- Provides a kinesthetic reminder to limit motion.
- Commonly used for mild soft tissue strains and sprains.
Which orthosis is used for anterior cervical fusion recovery?
Aspen or Miami J Collar:
- Semi-rigid collars that limit motion, providing immobilization post-surgery.
- Indicated for anterior cervical fusion or Type I C2 fractures.
Which orthosis provides the most rigid cervical immobilization?
Halo Orthosis:
- Rigid frame with screws anchored to the skull.
- Used for unstable cervical fractures to limit all cervical motion.
What is the indication for a SOMI (Sternal Occipital Mandibular Immobilizer)?
SOMI
- Used for stable cervical fractures or moderate to severe soft tissue injuries.
- It limits flexion/extension and provides support into the thoracic region.
Which orthosis is typically prescribed for scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 25–35°?
Boston TLSO:
- Semi-rigid brace worn 23 hours/day
- Most commonly used for scoliosis management with Cobb angles between 25–35°.
What is the purpose of the Charleston Bending Orthosis?
Charleston Bending Orthosis:
- A low-profile TLSO worn at night for scoliosis management.
- Designed to apply corrective forces during sleep.
What type of spinal orthosis is used for herniated nucleus pulposus or moderate soft tissue sprains?
Semi-Rigid TLSO:
- Increases intra-abdominal pressure and limits ROM to reduce symptoms and promote healing.
- Commonly referred to as a “body jacket.”
Which orthosis is used to manage anterior compression fractures?
Jewett Hyperextension Orthosis:
- A rigid brace that limits flexion, used for stable anterior compression fractures in the thoracic or lumbar spine.
What is the purpose of a Boston Overlap Orthosis?
Boston Overlap Orthosis:
- Semi-rigid LSO used for herniated nucleus pulposus or mild-to-moderate soft tissue injuries.
- Increases intra-abdominal pressure and limits ROM.
What is the purpose of the three-column concept in spinal fracture management?
Three-Column Concept: A diagnostic framework dividing the spine into:
(1) Anterior column:
- Made up of the anterior longitudinal ligament and the anterior one-half of the vertebral body, disc, and annulus.
(2) Middle column:
- Made up of the posterior one-half of the vertebral body, disc, and annulus, and the posterior longitudinal ligament.
(3) Posterior column:
- Made up of the facet joints, ligamentum flavum, the posterior elements and the interconnecting ligaments.
Which cervical orthosis allows tracheal access while maintaining moderate ROM restriction?
Philadelphia Collar - A semi-rigid cervical collar providing moderate ROM restriction and tracheal access.
A patient with a stable Jefferson fracture needs an orthosis. Which one is most appropriate?
SOMI Orthosis - Provides rigid support, limiting flexion and extension. It extends inferiorly into the thoracic region for greater control, suitable for stable cervical injuries like a Jefferson fracture.
A patient with a Type I C2 dens fracture requires immobilization. What orthosis would you recommend?
Miami J or Aspen Collar - These semi-rigid cervical orthoses provide moderate motion restriction, ideal for Type I C2 fractures.
Which orthosis is appropriate for a patient with scoliosis and a Cobb angle of 30°?
Boston TLSO - This semi-rigid brace is the most common scoliosis orthosis for Cobb angles of 25–35°, worn 23 hours/day to prevent curve progression.
A patient recovering from a flexor tendon repair in the hand requires a splint. Which one would you use?
Dorsal Blocking Splint (DBS) - Immobilizes the wrist in 45° flexion, MCP joints in 40° flexion, and allows IP joints full extension to protect the tendon repair.
What orthosis would you recommend for a patient with mallet finger?
Stack Splint - Maintains the DIP joint in neutral or slight hyperextension for six weeks to ensure proper healing of the extensor tendon.
A patient with a herniated nucleus pulposus complains of low back pain. Which orthosis would be effective?
Semi-Rigid TLSO - Limits motion and increases intra-abdominal pressure to relieve symptoms and support the spine. Commonly referred to as a “body jacket.”
A patient has a scaphoid fracture. What orthosis would you use?
Thumb Spica Splint - Stabilizes the thumb and extends up to the forearm, providing support and immobilization for scaphoid fractures.
What orthosis would you recommend for a hyperextension injury with a stable anterior compression fracture?
Jewett Hyperextension Orthosis - Limits flexion to prevent worsening of the fracture and provides appropriate support for stable injuries.
Which orthosis is indicated for a cervical SCI patient needing assistance with prehension and grasping?
Tenodesis Orthosis - Facilitates thumb and finger approximation during active wrist extension, enhancing prehension for functional use.
A patient with a boutonniere deformity presents. What is the appropriate splinting technique?
PIP Extension Splint - Maintains the PIP joint in full extension for six weeks to prevent contractures and promote tendon healing.
A patient presents with cervical strain after a car accident. Which orthosis would you use?
Soft Cervical Collar - Provides minimal support but serves as a kinesthetic reminder to limit motion, suitable for mild soft tissue strains.
A patient requires immobilization following an anterior cervical discectomy. What orthosis is appropriate?
Aspen or Miami J Collar - Semi-rigid cervical orthoses designed to immobilize the cervical spine following procedures like anterior cervical discectomy.
A patient with a distal radius fracture needs wrist stabilization. Which orthosis is recommended?
Cock-Up Splint - Maintains the wrist in slight extension to immobilize the distal radius and promote proper healing.