Why wear a wrist-thumb-finger splint?
Wrist pain can turn everyday tasks into real challenges. Whether it's due to injury, overuse or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like carpal tunnel syndrome. A splint can be an effective solution for pain relief and healing.1
Understanding the role of a wrist/thumb/finger splint
The wrist orthosis essentially fulfills one or more of the following objectives:
Immobilization2,3: Prevents wrist movement
Support and stabilization of the joint by compensating for the weakness of ligaments, tendons or muscles that can no longer provide sufficient stability on their own3.
Alignment2: Keeps the wrist in a neutral or slightly elongated position.
Some orthotics, such as elastic or compression straps, exert gentle pressure3 that helps reduce swelling and inflammation, which can improve comfort.
How to choose the right splint?
Consulting a healthcare professional is essential to determine the purpose of wearing a splint (immobilization, prevention or recovery) and to select the most appropriate orthosis.
Wrist brace
Some more elongated splints can limit movement of the carpometacarpal joints, providing better control over painful or potentially harmful gestures2,3,10. They are used mainly in cases of sprains, wrist instability, wrist tendonitis, non-operated carpal tunnel and in the postoperative phase.
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS):
Wearing a night splint is an often recommended option for mild forms of SCC11. It prevents wrist flexion during sleep, reducing compression on the median nerve and relieving symptoms, such as numbness and nightpain3,5.
The splint is to be worn at night, generally over a period of 6 weeks6. It keeps the wrist in a neutral position to relieve5 nocturnal symptoms.
Wrist/thumb splint
It allows a more or less significant immobilization of the wrist, the spine of the thumb.
It is used in case of trauma (sprains and fractures), wrist and thumb instability,wrist endinopathy and De Quervain's tenosynovitis, rhizarthrosis and in the postoperative phase, allowing healing without mechanical stress.
Thumb Splint
It allows the thumb column to be stabilized or immobilized in the desired therapeutic position.
It is used mainly in cases of rhizarthrosis or sprains of the thumb.
Wrist-Finger Splint
This splint makes it possible to immobilize, in a more or less rigid way, joints located at the base of the hand (metacarpophalangeal joints) as well as the joints of the fingers (interphalangeal joints).
Mainly used in cases of sprains, dislocations, non-displaced fractures or in the postoperative phase.
Finger Splint
It allows a more or less rigorous immobilization of the phalanges and is used in case of traumatology of the fingers and in return to activity/sport.
An adjustable and comfortable brace
It is important that the medical device is adjustable, comfortable, and the right size. Choose a splint that fits snugly without being too tight, as this can restrict blood flow or cause discomfort.
Risks and limitations
While the splint provides relief, prolonged use without exercise may result in muscle stiffness or weakness. The practice of gentle and adapted exercises is therefore recommended8.9, ideally guided by a health professional.
Beware of skin irritations, nerve pressure or wounds: these are often due to a poor fit or wearing too tightly.
How to wash your splint?
Wrist, hand or finger orthoses can be washed in the machine (delicate cycle at 30° or 40°) or by hand, as specified on the label and its leaflet. To make your hand orthosis last longer and maintain its effectiveness, here are some useful tips:
Do not use detergents, fabric softeners or aggressive products (chlorinated products, etc.)
Do not dry clean or iron
Do not use a tumble dryer. Dry flat and away from a direct source of heat (radiator, sun, etc.)
Pressure wringing
Sources:
Pagnotta A, Korner-Bitensky N, Mazer B, Baron M, Wood-Dauphinee S. Static wrist splint use in the performance of daily activities by individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2005 Nov; 32(11):2136-43. PMID: 16265691.
Fang, J., Lin, C., Tsai, J., & Lin, R. (2022). Clinical Assessment of Customized 3D-Printed Wrist Orthoses. Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211538.
Sprouse, R., McLaughlin, A., & Harris, G. (2018). Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions.. American family physician, 98 10, 570-576 .
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (n.d.). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
Raihan, H., Ghosh, P., Lenka, P., Equbal, A., & Biswas, A. (2020). Orthotic Treatment Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. . https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85101.
Gatheridge, M., Sholty, E., Inman, A., Pattillo, M., Mindrup, F., & Sanderson, D. (2020). Splinting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The Optimal Duration. Military medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa222.
Emery CA, Pasanen K. Current trends in sport injury prevention. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2019 Feb; 33(1):3-15. DOI: 10.1016/J.Berh.2019.02.009. Epub 2019 Feb 23. PMID: 31431273.
Roll SC, Hardison ME. Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Forearm, Wrist, and Hand: A Systematic Review. Am J Occupy Ther. 2017 Jan/Feb; 71(1):7101180010p1-7101180010p12. DOI: 10.5014/AJOT.2017.023234. PMID: 28027038; PMCID: PMC5182014.
Kachanathu, S., Alenazi, A., Hafez, A., Algarni, A., & Alsubiheen, A. (2019). Comparison of the effects of short-duration wrist joint splinting combined with physical therapy and physical therapy alone on the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis: a randomized clinical trial.. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine. https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05280-8.
Nadar MS, Alotaibi N, Manee F. Efficacy of splinting the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints for the treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome: an assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2023 Nov 28; 13(11):E076961. DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2023-076961. PMID: 38016794; PMCID: PMC10685984.
Sprouse RA, McLaughlin AM, Harris GD. Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Nov 15; 98(10):570-576. PMID: 30365284.
