Splinting in Hand Therapy
How Certified Hand Therapists Create Comfort, Protection, and Better Function
Occupational therapists (OTs) and certified hand therapists (CHTs) have a unique skill set: we can fabricate custom orthoses, more commonly called splints. These devices are built specifically for your body and your needs—not pulled off a shelf—so they’re often more comfortable, more supportive, and more effective for recovery and daily function.
People require splints for many reasons, including after surgery, after fractures or other injuries, or to improve mobility and range of motion. Whether the goal is to protect healing tissue, restore movement, or support joints during everyday activities, a properly made custom splint can be a key part of the plan.
Why a Custom Splint Matters
A custom splint is designed to match your unique anatomy. That personalized fit can help:
- Improve comfort (less pressure and rubbing)
- Provide the specific support your condition requires
- Position joints correctly for healing and function
- Make it easier to wear consistently—especially when you need it most
Post-Surgical Splints: Protecting Healing Tissue
Many physicians require a custom-fabricated splint after surgery to protect the repair and ensure the right positioning as healing begins. Common examples include splinting after:
- Distal radius fracture surgery (wrist fracture)
- Tendon repairs
- Finger fractures
Occupational therapists are trained to follow post-operative protocols and understand the specifications surgeons want for each type of procedure.
For example, after a distal radius fracture, patients typically need a wrist cock-up splint for about 4–6 weeks post-op. This provides protection, helps prevent unwanted movement, and supports the healing process while the repair gains strength.
Range-of-Motion Splints: Helping Stiff Joints Move Again
Not all splints are designed to “hold still.” Some are made to help restore motion when stiffness is limiting your progress.
These splints often include:
- A stable (stationary) component for support
- A moving component to guide motion into a target range
A common use case is after a finger fracture, when a joint is stiff and needs help regaining flexion (bending). In those cases, a splint may gently pull the finger into more flexion and hold it there to allow a prolonged stretch—the kind of steady, controlled positioning that can be hard to achieve without a custom device.
Dynamic Splints After Nerve Repair: Assisting Movement
After nerve repair surgery, patients sometimes need splints that actively assist movement during recovery. These are often “dynamic” splints that use rubber bands to help the hand move through a functional motion pattern.
For instance, after a radial nerve repair, a patient may have difficulty bringing the fingers back into extension (straightening) after making a fist. A dynamic splint can help return the fingers to extension after the patient fully flexes them—supporting more normal movement while the nerve continues to recover.
Conservative Care: Splints Aren’t Only for Surgery
Many patients benefit from splints even when surgery isn’t part of the plan. Custom splinting can support healing and reduce strain during daily life.
A few common examples:
- Tennis elbow: Wearing a wrist cock-up splint at night can let forearm muscles rest, which may reduce irritation and support recovery.
- Arthritis: Finger or wrist splints can help support joints during hobbies and tasks like knitting, gardening, cooking, or household projects.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): Custom splints can provide much-needed joint stability for people who experience laxity. That added support can help prevent joints from drifting into hyperextension or hyperflexion, reducing stress and improving confidence with movement.
How We Help at Freedom PT
At Freedom PT Services in Fox Point, our occupational therapists and certified hand therapists use custom splinting to match the right tool to the right problem—whether you need protection after surgery, a mobility-focused device to regain motion, or support so you can keep doing the activities you love.
If you’ve been told you need a splint—or you’re wondering whether splinting could help—our team can evaluate your needs and fabricate an orthosis designed specifically for you.