Splints and Braces
In hand therapy, individually designed splinting and bracing is crucial to help recovery, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure pain relief. At Hand Therapy Experts, we offer specialist services in custom splinting, where options are matched for each patient’s needs. Whether it be a post-surgical condition, broken finger, or chronic issue, our hand physiotherapists here in North Shore Sydney can offer you individually tailored effective and comfortable solutions.
What are Customised Splints and Braces?
Custom splints are made from materials that are moulded directly onto the patient’s hand, wrist, fingers, or elbow. This process allows us to create a splint that fits perfectly for the exact amount of support and immobilisation necessary for optimum healing. These types of splints are lightweight yet strong, which makes them a great option to treat a wide range of hand and upper limb disorders.
Materials used to make custom splints are made of various kinds. They can be thermoplastic, neoprene, fabrifoam, lycra, or leather. Each one of them has distinct characteristics that provide support, pain reduction, and range-of-motion improvement.
Who Benefits from Customised Splints?
Customised splints and braces are for patients recovering from:
- Hand fractures or broken bones
- Ligament injuries or wrist sprains
- Tendon repairs or transfers
- Hand arthritis
- Trigger finger
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Mallet finger
- Post-surgical recovery
- Joint instability
Why Choose Custom Splints?
Custom splints offer numerous benefits over ‘off the shelf’ splints and braces. Some of the advantages include:
- Custom Fit: Each splint is moulded to the exact dimensions of a patient to fit easily and securely.
- Lightweight and Durable: Thermoplastic materials are lightweight yet sturdy; thus, providing utmost support without unnecessary bulk.
- Re-moldable: In case adjustments have to be made because of swelling changes or during successive stages of healing, they can easily be remoulded.
- Breathable and Easy to Wear: They are designed to be comfortable and, thus, easy to wear for the duration of any given day or during daily activities. They can be removed for hygiene purposes to enable the patient to maintain good skin care under the splint.
- Improved Recovery: With proper immobilisation and support, individually designed splints can greatly enhance the potential for smooth recovery without further complications.
What You Can Expect in Your Appointment to Receive a Splint Fitting
- Initial Consultation: Our hand physiotherapist will assess your injury or condition, while discussing your expectations and treatment objectives.
- Splint Design: Based on your condition assessment, a splint design is the key to your recovery from the given hand condition.
- Fabricating the Splint: A splint will be made directly in your hand, wrist, fingers, or elbow by the hand physiotherapist using different splinting materials. This is because a direct fitting must be assured to be accurate and comfortable.
- Fitting and Adjustments: Once the splint has been moulded, we ensure that it fits rightly and comfortably. Adjustments can be made in cases of reduced swelling of yours or in cases of discomfort.
Why Choose Us?
It is our goal at Hand Therapy Experts to manage all hand and upper limb conditions with the latest techniques and materials for optimal results. If you require a finger splint or wrist splint, call our clinic today for an appointment.
