Splints or orthoses are used in the rehabilitation of burns in a variety of ways to assist with healing and to regain range of motion in a joint or joint(s). They can be pre-fabricated and fit to the patient or custom made to their body with a low temperature thermoplastic.
Splints or orthotics are used to hold parts of the body in the best position in order to:
Purpose: to support a finger joint so that it heals without contracting and to prevent deformity
Wearing Schedule: varies; a common schedule would be to wear it at night while resting and take it off during the day for exercise and activity
Purpose: to support the hand and wrist joints so that they heal without contracting and so that a deformity does not develop.
Wearing Schedule: varies; a common schedule would be to wear it at night while sleeping and take it off during the day for exercise and activity.
Inserts for between fingers and thumb web space
Purpose: to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and to restore range of motion by stretching the skin
Wearing Schedule: usually full-time under compression gloves
A strap for the shoulders
Purpose: to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and restore motion by stretching the skin
Wearing Schedule: varies; may be part-time or full-time, often used to help hold an axillary splint in place
Splint for the shoulders or axilla
Purpose: to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and to restore motion of the shoulder by stretching the skin.
Wearing Schedule: varies; may be part-time or full-time
Purpose: to keep the skin around the mouth from shrinking. This could cause a condition called microstomia which makes it difficult to open mouth, eat, speak clearly, brush teeth, complete dental work. There are a variety of mouth splints available, some of them are prefabricated and some are custom fabricated.
Wearing Schedule: part time on a schedule 2-4 times/day.
Purpose: to maintain range of motion in the ankle while a patient is on bed rest. Wearing Schedule: usually when in bed or in the chair. May have an on and off schedule throughout the day.