Splints are used to prevent movement of a joint or used to hold in place any part of the body which needs to be immobilised. Splints support and protect injured bones and soft tissue, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. In some cases, splints and casts are applied following surgery.
Splints can be pre-fabricated or custom made to suit the person and their needs and are used to:
- increase function
- prevent contracture
- prevent deformity
- reduce the risk of using the limb in a way that might aggravate an injury
- position a joint correctly
- protect a joint
- prevent tissues such as nerves from being compressed.
Splints can generally be divided into two categories:
- static splints which have no moving parts and are used to stabilise and immobilise the joint to prevent deformity and/or contracture
- dynamic splints which are designed to allow some restricted movement. They are often used to prevent deformity, provide controlled movement and/or aid with loss of motor function.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
People should be assessed by a qualified health professional such as a doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist in order to source an appropriate splint, obtain wearing instructions and determine if other therapies would assist with injury management.
Splints may be beneficial to people with physical or motor impairments in the workplace to enable them to carry out their work roles more easily and independently.
Custom made splints can be provided to aid with specific work tasks such as writing and typing, whilst other splints are more generic and can assist the individual in a number of work tasks by providing support to the joint or limb required for the task.
For more information on why a splint may be necessary in the workplace or other types of splits and supports, see the links below:
References
Queensland Government 2006, Handbook of Spinal Injuries: Splinting, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed 2 February 2011, http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qscis/PDF/Handbook_of_Spinal_Cord_Injuries/2N.pdf
Second Skin 2006, Second Skin Dynamic Splinting for Postural Management, Second Skin, Perth, viewed 2 February 2011, http://www.secondskin.com.au/uploads/publications/34_LHNeuroBrochure.pdf