Understanding Splinting Treatment Technique
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?
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
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:
Pain Relief
Splints can alleviate pain by stabilising and reducing stress on the affected joints and muscles.
Improved Joint Alignment
Regular use of splints helps maintain proper joint alignment, which can prevent the progression of deformities, particularly in conditions like arthritis.
Enhanced Functionality
Splints allow other muscles and joints to heal and function more effectively by immobilising certain parts of the hand or arm.
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.
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.
Will wearing a splint be uncomfortable?
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.
Can I wear the splint all day?
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.
How do I care for my splint?
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.