Upper Limb Orthoses and Splints

Question 1

goals

Answer 1

• immobilization
• protection/ support
• correction or prevention of deformities
• substitute for weak or absent UE function
• serve as a base of attachment for ADL equipment

Question 2

Wrist Cock Up Splint

Answer 2

• an anterior or palmar spine that contains forearm and MCs
• may include phalanges as well if needed for positioning
• can put wrist in neutral or 10-20 degrees ext

Question 3

Wrist Cock Up Splint for Weak or absent hand strength

Answer 3

• orthosis should support the full hand phalanges slightly flexed and with thumb in partial opposition and abduction

Question 4

wrist cock up splint for wrist pathologies

Answer 4

trim lines should be a the distal palmar crease and thenar crease to maximize hand function

Question 5

wrist cock up splint is used for

Answer 5

• RA
• fractures of carpal
• Colles’ fracture
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• stroke with paralysis

Question 6

What is thumb spica splint

Answer 6

• hand based splint designed to immobilize the first CMC joint

Question 7

how is thumb positioned in thumb spica splint

Answer 7

thumb positioned in partial opposition and abduction with thumb IP joint left free for max function

Question 8

hand based thumb spica splint

Answer 8

used for 1st CMC arthritis

Question 9

forearm based thumb spica splint

Answer 9

used for scaphoid fracture, scaphoid-lunate instability, de Quervains

Question 10

Dorsal wrist splint

Answer 10

• frees the palm for feeling and grasping through use of grips that curve around over the second and fifth MC heads
• allows attachment of dorsal devices to form a dynamic device
• used for flexor tendon repairs

Question 11

Airplane splint

Answer 11

• positions arm out to side at 90 degrees of abduction, elbow flexed to 90 degrees
• weight of outstretches arm is borne on a padded lateral trunk bar and iliac crest band
• strap holds device across trunk
• used to immobilize shoulder following fracture or burn injury to prevent contracture of axillary region

Question 12

tenodesis splint

Answer 12

• assists patients in use of wrist extensors to approximate the thumb and forefingers (grip) in the absent of active finger flexion
• facilitates tenodesis grasp in patients with quadriplegia

Question 13

mallet finger splint

Answer 13

palmar DIP gutter splint to support distal phalange

Question 14

boutonniere’s deformity

Answer 14

planar PIP gutter splint to support middle phalange

Question 15

Swan neck deformity

Answer 15

ring splints over PIP joint to prevent PIP hyperextension