Types of Splints in Occupational Therapy
Understanding the right splint for patients involves assessing specific upper limb conditions. Here’s a concise guide to splinting in occupational therapy for effective rehabilitation:
- Immobilization Splints: Used for protection, injury prevention, rest, reduction of inflammation, or surgery recovery. Ideal for conditions requiring steady positioning.
- Restriction Splints: Limit joint movement but allow motion within mid-ranges to prevent stiffness.
- Mobilization Splints: Aim to increase range of motion or enhance function, helpful for weak muscles or post-surgery recovery.
In our full course, we provide detailed strategies with case studies for each splint type.
Antideformity Splint (Intrinsic Plus Position)
Also known as the protective or POSI position, this prevents stiffness during prolonged immobilization. Useful in scenarios such as burns and significant traumas.
Key Features:
- MCP joints flexed at 70-90°
- PIP and DIP joints fully extended
- Thumb abducted and in opposition
Splints in Occupational Therapy: Key Scenarios
Each condition is distinct, thus selecting the right splint is crucial. Consider the following scenarios:
| Condition | Objectives & Splint Type |
|---|---|
| Hand Spasticity | Reduce muscle tone; use Anti-spasticity ball splint to stabilize and maintain hand shape. |
| Radial Nerve Palsy | Support wrist and finger extension; Dynamic finger extension splint is ideal. |
Discover interactive case studies in our full material to master these applications. Enroll now!
Kleinert Protocol for Tendon Repair
This protocol involves using splints to maintain limited motion post-surgery to protect tendon repairs.
Strategies:
- Dynamic pull maintaining fingers in flexion
- Dorsal Blocking Splint to limit passive and active extension
Flail Arm Splint: Support for Brachial Plexus Injuries
This sophisticated splint offers full upper limb support, crucial in severe upper-trunk injuries preventing shoulder and elbow mobility.
- Prevents shoulder subluxation
- Maintains functional arm positioning
Conclusion
Mastering the right splinting technique is critical for effective occupational therapy outcomes. Understanding each splint’s purpose and correctly applying them can significantly enhance patient recovery.
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What are the primary types of splints used in occupational therapy?
The primary splint types include Immobilization Splints for protection and recovery, Restriction Splints for controlled joint movement, and Mobilization Splints to enhance motion and function.
How does an antideformity splint help in rehabilitation?
An antideformity splint, or POSI position, prevents joint stiffness during immobilization, aiding recovery in burn patients and significant trauma cases by maintaining joints in a functional position.
When should you use a flail arm splint?
A flail arm splint is used for brachial plexus injuries to provide full upper limb support, preventing shoulder subluxation and maintaining functional arm positioning.
What is the Kleinert Protocol, and how does it relate to tendon repair?
The Kleinert Protocol involves using dynamic splints to maintain limited finger motion following tendon repair surgery, protecting the repair with techniques like dynamic pull and dorsal blocking splints.
What splint is recommended for radial nerve palsy and why?
For radial nerve palsy, a dynamic finger extension splint is recommended to support and improve wrist and finger extension, aiding functional recovery.
