Hand immobilization splints

1. Hand immobilization splints Somaya Malkawi, PhD

2. Hand immobilization splints • Also called resting hand splints (RHS) • It immobilizes fingers and wrist • Thumb may or may not be included • Purpose: • Immobilize • Position in functional alignment • Retard further deformity • Maintains balance between extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of hand • Provide localized rest to the tissues of wrist, thumb, fingers

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6. Description of the RHS Pan C bar Forearm trough Thumb trough

7. Pre-molded hand splints Pre-cut splint kit Customized splints What are the advantages and disadvantages for each

8. Hand immobilization splints • Volar based resting hand splint is better used when you require a great amount of forearm support • Dorsally based RHS is used when there is sutures, sores, rashes, or intravenous needles. Also used for someone who has hypertonicity

9. Hand immobilization splints • Two types of positions are accomplished by this splint depending on diagnostic indication • Functional position • Anti-deformity (intrinsic-plus) position

10. Functional position • The resting splint is positioned in resting or mid-joint position • Place the wrist in 20-30 degrees of extension • Thumb CMC in 45 degrees of palmar abduction • Fingers MCP joints 35-45 degrees of flexion • PIP and DIP of fingers joints in slight flexion

11. Anti deformity position • Often used to place the hand to maintain tension/distraction of anatomic structure • To avoid contractures and promote • function • Wrist: 30-40 ext • Thumb: 40-45 palmar abduction • Thumb IP: in full ext • MCPs: 70-90 flex and PIPs and DIPs in full ext.

12. Diagnostic indications

13. Diagnostic indications