Splints and Braces

Splints and Braces

Upper Limb Splints

Figure-of-8 Brace

• Indication: Immobilization of clavicle fractures
• Application:
  • Wear with shoulder pressing back in an arch position
  • Can use ready-made figure-of-8 brace or foam-sling

Arm Sling

• Indications:
  • Shoulder support in shoulder and clavicle injuries
  • Forearm support (in cast)
• Application:
  • Shoulder adducted, elbow flexed 90° and wrist at neutral position
  • The sling supports the elbow and overcomes gravity

Arm Sling with Shoulder Immobilizer

• Indications: Shoulder support after major surgeries
• Application:
  • Shoulder adducted, elbow flexed 90° and wrist at neutral position
  • The sling supports the shoulder by applying the waist sling keeping the shoulder adducted

Forearm Sling

• Indications:
  • Support in humerus fractures (allowing traction by gravity)
  • Forearm support (in cast)
• Application:
  • Shoulder adducted
  • Elbow not supported to allow gravity to pull down on humerus

Spinal Supports

Back Supports

• Indications:
  • Limiting motion of the spine to enhance healing (after surgery or in stable fractures)
  • Reduces back pain and discomfort (in back sprains and muscle pain)
• Types:
  • Soft or more rigid with rods
  • Thoraco-lumbar, lumbar, lumbo-sacral
• Precaution: Long-term use causes weakness of muscles

Cervical Collars

Soft Cervical Collar:

• Indications:
  • Provides partial support of cervical spine and neck muscles
  • Muscle spasm, post-operative, nerve root entrapment syndrome in cervical spine
• Application:
  • Choose proper size (height and length)
  • Apply reasonably tightly under the chin
• Precaution: Long-term use causes weakness of muscles

Rigid Cervical Collar:

• Indications:
  • Used in trauma emergency when suspecting neck injuries
  • Head or facial/forehead injuries, neck pain, unconscious patients
• Application:
  • Adjust to proper height
  • Use traction to support the neck while applying
  • Apply around the neck, with chin piece fitting well under chin
  • Opening anterior for possible tracheostomy

Lower Limb Splints

Knee Immobilizer

• Contains metal rods to completely immobilize the knee
• Indications:
  • Immediate after knee injuries (instability, patellar fractures, haemarthrosis)
  • Post knee surgery
• Application:
  • Apply with the wider end on upper thigh
  • Make sure the opening of the support is on the patella
  • Apply tightly from up downwards

Hinged Knee Splint

• Supports and stabilizes an injured knee (prevent varus and valgus movements)
• Allows flexion and extension (hinged metal supports on sides)
• Indications: Used in collateral ligament injuries

Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)

• Indication: Foot support for foot drop
• Application: Wear shoe on top of brace

Silicone Spacer/Splint

• Indications:
  • Adolescent hallux valgus when the main complaint is cosmetic
  • Initial treatment choice in mild cases

Hand and Wrist Splints

Malleable Finger Splints

• Indications:
  • Phalangeal fractures
  • Sprained interphalangeal joints
• Application:
  • Flexion of MCP joint and extension of interphalangeal joints

Mallet Finger Splint

• Indications: Mallet finger injury (rupture/avulsion of extensor tendon at the distal phalanx)
• Application: The finger must be fully extended in the DIPJ

Wrist Splint

• Indications:
  • Wrist support after minor soft tissue injuries and sprains
  • Wrist immobilization for carpal tunnel syndrome (before and after surgery)
  • Temporary intermittent support after cast removal post fractures
• Application:
  • Rigid/metal part with a bend at volar aspect
  • Wrist immobilized in position of slight dorsiflexion

Thumb Splint

• Indications:
  • Thumb support after minor soft tissue injuries and sprains
  • In Tenosynovitis - immobilizing thumb to reduce pain and inflammation of tendons
• Application: Rigid/metal part on dorsum of thumb

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