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:

• Immobilize and protect the skin graft while it is healing
• Prevent the skin from shrinking and becoming contracted as it heals
• Restore range of motion of a joint by stretching the skin
• Soften scar tissue by applying total contact as in a facial or neck orthosis

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.