Overview of Hand Splint

The hand is incredibly useful and can do many different things. To make sure it can perform at its best, we need to keep it working properly and able to move freely.

Anatomy and Physiology of Hand Splint

Your hand is made up of five separate parts, which we call digits. We number these from one to five, starting with your thumb as digit one and your little finger as digit five. The long bones in your hand, known as metacarpals, connect with the bones in your wrist. We also number these just like we do with your digits.

Digits two to five (your index finger through to your little finger) all have three smaller bones, or phalanges. We refer to these as the proximal phalanx (nearest to your hand), intermediate phalanx (in the middle), and distal phalanx (nearest to your fingertip). Your thumb, or first digit, only has a proximal and distal phalanx.

The point where the metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx meet is known as the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP). The spot where the proximal phalanx meets the intermediate phalanx is called the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), while the place where the intermediate phalanx connects with the distal phalanx is the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).

The muscles inside your hand, known as tendons, are responsible for movements like bending your fingers. The flexor tendons, located on the inner part of your hand (side of your palm), connect to your phalanges. The tendon called the flexor digitorum profundus connects to the distal phalanx (the bone near your fingertip), while a tendon named the flexor digitorum superficialis connects to the intermediate phalanx (the middle bone).

On the back of your hand, the extensor tendons are responsible for actions like straightening your fingers. The extensor digitorum has a band that attaches to the intermediate phalanx (middle bone) and two side bands that attach to the distal phalanx (nearest the fingertip).

Why do People Need Hand Splint

If you have injured your hand or fingers, you might need to wear a hand splint. This device helps to protect and support the injured area while it is healing. There are many reasons why a hand splint could be used – one of the most common is for fractures, or breaks, in the finger bones.

When the distal phalanx (the bone in the last segment of your finger) is fractured, a hand splint comes in handy to keep that area secure. Splints that go on the top (dorsal) part of your finger are designed just for this kind of injury. Even if you have a “hairpin” fracture, where the bone has split into a fork or ‘Y’ shape, such splints can help to keep your finger still and help it heal.

If you’ve injured more than just the end of your finger, say from the knuckle (MCP joint) to the distal interphalangeal joint (the joint just before the fingertip or DIP joint), a different kind of splint could be used. These could be either dorsal (on the back of your hand) or volar (on the palm side of your hand) finger splints.

Sometimes, the doctor might give you a dynamic finger splint. This kind of splint supports your hurt finger but still lets you move the other, undamaged parts of that finger.

The ulnar gutter splint is used for fractures in the finger bones and metacarpals (the long bones in your hand) that are on the inner side of your hand. These splints are named after the ulnar nerve, which runs along that side of your hand.

Similarly, radial gutter splints are used for fractures on the thumb side or outer part of your hand. These normally cover the second and third digits.

If you have broken multiple bones on your hand or fingers, a larger splint that covers the back of your hand might be used. This is known as a dorsal splint with an extension hood.

For injuries to your thumb such as a fracture in the metacarpal (the long bone in your hand connected to your thumb), thumb strains or De Quervain syndrome (a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist), a thumb spica splint could be used. This kind of splint supports and immobilizes your thumb while you heal.

When a Person Should Avoid Hand Splint

Hand splinting usually doesn’t have many issues associated with it. However, if there are any broken bones that are exposed, you should get checked out by a bone specialist, called an orthopedist. The placement of a splint shouldn’t delay your visit to the orthopedic doctor for further examination.

Equipment used for Hand Splint

Here are the items your doctor will use for a procedure to protect or immobilize your finger:

* Soft cotton dressing like Webril. This kind of dressing is used to keep your wound clean and to protect it from further injury.

* A plaster dressing, such as Ortho-glass. This is used to help keep your finger in place and prevent any unwanted movement that may slow down healing.

* An elastic bandage. This is wrapped around the area to provide support and maintain the position of the finger.

* A metallic splint with sponge rubber padding for the front and back of your finger. This device holds the finger steady, because moving it might be painful or cause more harm.

Who is needed to perform Hand Splint?

Preparing for Hand Splint

Before the patient’s hand is set into a position to help it heal, the doctor needs to make sure the broken bones have been properly aligned, if required. This is typically checked using an X-ray to confirm that the bones are aligned correctly. It is important to make sure all the necessary medical tools are next to the patient’s bed. If the fractures are severe and the bone is visible or piercing through the skin, a specialist in bones and muscles, called an orthopedic, should be consulted.

How is Hand Splint performed

Let’s talk about splinting. A splint is a device used to protect and support an injured body part. It’s crucial that splints be positioned and secured properly to ensure they do their job well. The first step is to put a soft bandage, like Webril, on your skin. This bandage guards against issues like skin damage and provides some space for any inflammation to dissipate. For hands and fingers, a small piece of gauze should be placed between each finger to ensure they stay separate.

Next, plaster (like Ortho-glass) is added on top of the bandage. This plaster is soaked in water first, then dried out a bit before being applied. After that, an elastic bandage is wrapped around the injured area, holding everything in place. As the plaster is drying and hardening, it’s essential to hold the splint in the optimal position.

Let’s go over a few specific types of splints for the finger:

Dorsal Distal Phalanx Splints: A padded metallic splint is placed on top of the injured finger covering the fracture site. The finger should be held straight during this process.

Hairpin Splint: This is a small, thin metal piece that covers the upsetting part of the finger. It’s not meant to provide much structural support, but rather to protect that part of the finger from further damage.

Dynamic Finger Splinting: In this method, the injured finger is taped to an uninjured finger next to it, with a padded metallic splint as support between them.

Here are some splints that may be used when more than one finger is injured:

Ulnar Gutter Splint: A soft bandage starts at the base of the palm and extends to the middle of the forearm. Plaster is added to the inside part of the hand. It should be positioned to immobilize the fourth and fifth fingers without restricting the first three. The joints in the fourth and fifth fingers should also be positioned correctly during the process.

Radial Gutter Splint: Similar to the Ulnar Gutter Splint, this splint immobilizes the second and third fingers. There is also an opening in the plaster for the thumb.

Dorsal Splint: Here, a bandage is placed from the tip of the finger to the middle of the forearm, thumb not included. This splint extends to cover the second to fifth fingers and should position the finger joints correctly during the process.

Thumb Spica Splint: Used when the thumb is injured, a soft bandage begins at the middle of the hand, covering the thumb and extending to the middle of the forearm. Plaster then goes around the thumb, from its middle to the forearm. The hand should be positioned as if you’re holding a soda can, with the thumb outward and straight. This helps to fully immobilize the thumb.

Possible Complications of Hand Splint

Wearing a splint can sometimes lead to various issues. For instance, if an injury becomes inflamed and swollen, this can lead to different problems including compartment syndrome (a painful and dangerous condition caused when pressure builds within your muscles), nerve impingement (pressure on a nerve), pressure sores, skin breakdown, skin infection, and vascular compromise (a situation where the blood flow to a certain part of your body is reduced).

To help keep these issues to a minimum, doctors often put soft cotton bandages on your skin underneath the plaster. This is to prevent any heat injury that could occur from a reaction between your skin and the plaster when it gets wet.

What Else Should I Know About Hand Splint?

It’s very important to use the correct method when putting a splint on a hand injury. Doing this correctly helps to maintain the full function of the hand, avoid any issues with the nerves, and keep the hand’s full flexibility. Sometimes, a specialist for bone problems might not be immediately available. In these cases, the hand should be splinted as a temporary measure to stop the injury from getting worse before the patient can see a specialist.

Frequently asked questions

1. What type of hand splint do I need for my specific injury? 2. How long do I need to wear the hand splint? 3. Are there any specific instructions or precautions I should follow while wearing the hand splint? 4. Can I remove the hand splint for any activities or should I keep it on at all times? 5. Are there any signs or symptoms I should watch out for that may indicate a problem with the hand splint?

A hand splint can affect you by providing support and stability to your hand and fingers. It can help immobilize certain joints or fingers to promote healing and prevent further injury. Additionally, a hand splint can assist in reducing pain and inflammation, improving function, and facilitating the recovery process.

You may need a hand splint if you have any broken bones that are exposed. The splint helps to immobilize and support the injured hand, allowing the bones to heal properly. It is important to seek further examination from an orthopedic doctor in addition to using a splint.

You should not get a hand splint if you have any broken bones that are exposed, as you should see an orthopedist for further examination and treatment. The placement of a splint should not delay your visit to the orthopedic doctor.

To prepare for a hand splint, the patient should make sure all necessary medical tools are next to their bed and consult with an orthopedic specialist if the fractures are severe or if the bone is visible. The first step in splinting is to put a soft bandage, like Webril, on the skin, followed by adding plaster (like Ortho-glass) on top of the bandage. An elastic bandage is then wrapped around the injured area to hold everything in place.

The complications of wearing a hand splint include compartment syndrome, nerve impingement, pressure sores, skin breakdown, skin infection, and vascular compromise. To minimize these issues, doctors often use soft cotton bandages underneath the plaster to prevent heat injury from the reaction between the skin and the wet plaster.

Symptoms that require a hand splint include fractures or breaks in the finger bones, injuries to the thumb such as fractures or strains, and conditions like De Quervain syndrome. Hand splints are used to protect and support the injured area while it heals, and different types of splints may be used depending on the specific injury or condition.

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