Understanding Splinting Treatment Technique

What is Splinting?
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A splint is a lightweight, comfortable device custom-made to fit your child’s arm, hand, or foot. By creating custom-designed splints, we aim to prevent contractures, optimise limb positioning, and promote functional independence in daily activities.

Splints are commonly used to address conditions such as:

Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy often experience muscle tightness or spasticity, limiting their hand, arm, foot and leg movement. Splinting can help stretch and support the affected muscles, promoting better function.

Brachial Plexus Injury

When a child has a brachial plexus injury, which affects the nerves controlling the arm, splinting can gently stretch and prevent contractures in the affected arm.

Joint Contractures

Joint contractures occur when a joint becomes permanently stiff due to tight muscles or tendons. Splinting can be used to reduce the likelihood of contractures developing.

Spastic Hemiplegia

This condition involves muscle tightness and weakness on one side of the body due to neurological factors. Splinting can manage muscle tightness and promote improved hand and arm function.

How Does Splinting Work?

Understanding the impacts splinting will have on your child
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Unlike active exercises where the child moves their hand or arm independently, splinting provides passive stretching. Passive stretching means that the stretch is applied externally without requiring the child to move the affected area actively.

Splints provide a low, sustained force to the muscles and tendons over an extended period. The low load helps avoid excessive stress or discomfort, while the prolonged duration of wearing the splint allows for gradual and safe elongation of the soft tissues.

When the muscles and tendons are held in a lengthened position through splinting, the body responds with tissue adaptation. The tissues remodel and become more flexible, making the hand, arm, leg or foot more supple and allowing for maintaining a range of motion.

Splinting is particularly helpful in preventing contractures. Contractures are tightness or stiffness in the muscles or tendons that can occur due to prolonged immobility, neurological conditions, or injuries. The splint helps counteract this tightness and keeps the affected area functional. Children are at higher risk of developing contractures as their bodies are growing and their muscles need to lengthen.

Benefits of Splinting

How splinting can improve your child’s physical health

Splinting offers a variety of benefits that are pivotal for rehabilitation and daily life functionality, particularly in cases involving the hands and upper extremities. Here are some of the key advantages:

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Pain Relief

Splints can alleviate pain by stabilising and reducing stress on the affected joints and muscles.

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Improved Joint Alignment

Regular use of splints helps maintain proper joint alignment, which can prevent the progression of deformities, particularly in conditions like arthritis.

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Enhanced Functionality

Splints allow other muscles and joints to heal and function more effectively by immobilising certain parts of the hand or arm.

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Prevention of Contractures

Splints help maintain range of motion by preventing the development of contractures, which are permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, skin, and tissues.

Frequently asked questions
How long will I need to wear the splint?

The duration of splint use varies depending on the specific condition and individual progress. Some children may need to wear splints only for a short period, while others might need them for extended periods, especially during certain activities to prevent injury or manage pain.

Splints are designed to immobilise or support certain body parts but are custom-fitted to ensure maximum comfort. Any initial discomfort usually diminishes as you adjust to wearing the splint. If pain persists, adjustments can be made.

The frequency and duration of wearing a splint depend on the therapeutic goals set by your occupational therapist. Some splints are intended for continuous wear, while others are used only during specific activities or at night.

We will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your splint, including cleaning methods and storage tips. Proper care helps extend the splint’s life and maintain its effectiveness.

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Our Therapies

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

At South West Kids Clinic, our Occupational Therapists dedicate themselves to enhancing your child’s independence in daily activities by using the most up to date treatment techniques and therapy tools. Whether mastering their motor skills, improving their participation in play, adapting tasks for easier completion, or recommending the right equipment and assistive tools, our team ensures your child can participate more fully in everyday life with greater autonomy.

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Our Speech Pathologists are here to unlock your child’s potential in everyday communication, eating, and drinking. We aim to empower your child to communicate effectively and confidently, helping them express their thoughts and feelings easily. We strive to create safe and joyful mealtimes by supporting your child’s independence and ability to eat and drink safely and effectively.

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Movement is at the heart of what it means to be active and engaged. Our Physiotherapists are committed to improving your child’s physical capabilities through innovative techniques and the latest therapeutic equipment. We focus on enhancing mobility, strength, and coordination, which are crucial for participating more actively in physical activities and improving overall quality of life.

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Proper nutrition is foundational for children, especially those facing physical challenges. Our Dietitians provide customised nutritional plans that cater to the unique needs of children with disabilities. We ensure each child receives the nutritional support needed for optimal growth, development, and learning.

Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to start therapy?
The best time to start therapy is when you notice any developmental delays or concerns in your child. Early intervention is crucial as it can significantly improve the effectiveness of the treatment, helping your child achieve the best possible outcomes.

The frequency of therapy sessions typically depends on your child’s specific needs and goals during the initial assessment. Most children benefit from weekly sessions, but we may suggest more or fewer visits based on your child’s progress.

Put simply, the greater your involvement is in therapy, the quicker your child will gain results. For this reason, we only work with families actively involved in their child’s therapy. This includes collaborating to establish goals, participating in therapy sessions, completing practice between sessions and providing feedback to your therapist about progress between sessions.
Our team conducts comprehensive assessments to understand each child’s strengths and challenges. Based on these assessments, we develop individualised therapy plans that are continually adapted to reflect progress and changing needs.
You can contact our clinic directly or via email to discuss your child’s needs. Our reception team will ask quick questions about your child to determine the next steps required.
Therapy sessions are primarily completed in our clinic; however, we occasionally recommend contacting the school or child care to observe your child and consult with the teachers regarding valuable strategies to promote success in the classroom or playground. Occasionally, ongoing sessions are suggested; however, this is based on clinical need rather than convenience.
Areas We Service
LiverpoolNSW
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South West Kids Clinic offers personalised support and guidance to children with movement-based conditions in Liverpool. Our experienced and caring team is committed to positively impacting your child’s life.

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Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
BankstownNSW
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South West Kids Clinic delivers customised therapy and treatments to children with movement-based conditions. Our services are readily available and personalised to meet the needs of families in the Bankstown area, ensuring that every child receives the care they require.

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Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
CampbelltownNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we provide personalised therapy and treatments to children who have conditions affecting their movement. Our services are designed to cater to the specific needs of families in the Campbelltown area, guaranteeing that each child gets the attention and care they need.

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Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
FairfieldNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, our approach is to offer customised therapy and treatments for children with movement disorders. We ensure our services are accessible and tailored specifically for families living in the Fairfield area, ensuring every child receives the necessary care.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
PrestonsNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we deliver individualised therapy and treatments for children with movement challenges. Our services are adapted to fit the unique requirements of families in the Preston area, ensuring all children receive the dedicated care they need.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
WollondillyNSW
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