Properties of Splints:

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• Rigidity

  • The strength of the material

  • High rigidity does not bend easily. Used for:

    • Large joints

    • Spasticity

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• Memory

  • The material ability to return to its original shape and size when re-heated

  • Material with excellent memory usually takes longer to harden

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• Drape-ability (Conformability)

  • Material ability to shape around and mold over contours of an extremity

  • Disadvantages:

    • Prone to fingerprints of therapist

    • Poor memory

    • Stretches and "grows"

    • Requires light touch

    • Requires cooperative patient

  • Degree of conformability

    • Maximum conformability (Minimum resistance to stretch)

    • Moderate conformability

    • Maximum control (Maximum resistance to stretch)

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• Bonding & Coating

  • The material ability to stick to itself or to other material when heated

  • Coated material do not bond without removing the coating

  • Advantage:

    • Can attach extra piece to splint

  • Disadvantage:

    • Difficult to take apart if the material folds

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• Working Time

  • The amount of time the material takes to cool

  • Beginners in splint making should start with long work time materials

  • Consider material working time based on the case to be splinted:

    • Incompliant child

    • Hard to maintain position

    • Spasticity

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• Thickness

  • Thinner materials are better for small joints

  • Thinner material have very short working time

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• Perforation

  • Allows better ventilation of the skin

  • Ideal for warm or humid climate

 

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Splint Accessories:

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• Sticky-backed Velcro

  • Bonds best when heated (dry heat)

  • Should Round the corners to prevent catching with external materials

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• Padding

  • Bonds best when heated (dry heat)

  • Makes the splint smaller and tighter

  • Absorbs moisture and odor

  • Requires frequent replacement

 

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Anatomical Landmarks:

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• Arches of the Hand

  • Maintain arches within the splint as they are functionally significant

  • Arches are:

    •  Longitudinal Arch

    • Proximal Transverse Arch

    • Distal Transverse arch

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• Try not to splint unaffected joints.

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• Creases of the Hand

  • Clear the creases of mobile joints to allow full movement of the joint

 

General Pressure Precautions:

• A conforming fit reduce unequal pressure

• Avoid pressure over bony prominences

• Use padding over bony prominence before splinting.

• Padding afterward will increase pressure

• Smoothed, rolled or rounded edges reduce pressure sores

• Round corners to avoid sharp points.

 

Wearing Instructions:

• The patient should wear the splint for about an hour, then remove the splint and check for red areas.

  • Redness should not last for more than 20 minutes after splint removal.

• Keep in mind areas of impaired sensation

• Splint cannot be worn for 24 hours, it should be removed for hygiene and exercises.