Custom Hand/Wrist Splints

At PhysioPlus Downtown we offer a range of custom splints to protect and support the wrist and hand. Our physiotherapists have many years’ experience fabricating splints from thermoplastic materials. The type of splint prescribed depends on the stage of healing and condition of your hand.

In acute conditions of the hand, immobilization or resting splints are indicated to allow inflamed tissue to rest and to provide protection for healing fractures and tendons, ligaments, nerves and other soft tissues.

Splints are often helpful in treating repetitive strain injury (RSI). Supporting the hand/wrist with a custom-made splint reduces strain from inflamed tissues, allowing for healing.

When joint stiffness becomes a problem following injury to the hand a mobilization splint may be appropriate to help improve motion in the stiff joints. These splints are designed to apply specific passive stretch to the tight joint and surrounding soft tissues. Mobilization splints compliment the range of motion and stretching exercises that your therapist has provided to you.

Splints may also be required to support joints that are painful or unstable due to arthritis or soft tissue injury. These splints protect the joint from progressive deformity and are worn for day-to-day activity to improve the function of the hand.

The custom-made splint will be made by your therapist and specific wearing instructions will be explained to you. It is important to follow your therapist’s instructions related to the use of your splint in order to prevent re-injury.

Custom splinting is available for many conditions including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ligament sprains
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Tendonitis
• Dequervain’s
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Post-surgical
• Joint arthritis
• Trigger finger or thumb
• Lacerations
• Crush injuries

Example of splints fabricated include:

• A finger gutter splint that maintains and protects the finger in a static extended position as a fracture, ligament or tendon heals.
• A wrist based thumb Spica can be used to support and protect the thumb and wrist at rest and with activity.
• A hand based thumb Spica is commonly used to protect healing ligaments following a “skiers thumb” injury.
• A forearm wrist splint can be used to optimize wrist position to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more information, Contact us at Whitehorse, Yukon.