hands splints

trisher
trisher Member Posts: 9,263
edited 12. Oct 2009, 06:09 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

I had an appointment with a hand therapist today.They looked at my hands and wrists ect.
I still have the funny cast from my fingers op.

She has put both hands in splints and told me to wear them all the time also in bed.

I just wanted to know how to care for them. Also if anyone had any tips about wearing them eg: Do they get sweaty? :(

Many Thanks

trisher xx

Comments

  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Trisher,ive got both splints too.
    i find the left 1 ok but the right is too big for my tiny hands so i wear tubigrip under it,it also rubs on my deformed thumb at the base.so the tubigrip helps there too.
    i also got a good tip on here,if the metal strip falls out like mine does,ive put some double side tape in the metal bar & pushed it back in,thats stopped it moving.
    hope you get on well with yours i find they really do help with the wrist pain.
    luv debs
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Debs

    Thank you, I'll remember that.

    They feel so strange though. I'll get used to them I suppose.

    Well hey ho off I go.

    Many thanks love

    Trisher xx
  • robertls
    robertls Member Posts: 2,304
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I seen to get through a lot of splints.....probably using 'sticks' damages them....
    One lot I got were neoprene.....they were aweful.......so sweaty......I took then back and got some of canvas and elastic..........no sweat...........lovely..
    Everytime I ask for more they seem to be from a different manufacturer..Its damned annoying as some feel so much better than others.........

    Rob......xx
    Roba045.gif
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Rob

    The ones I've got are brown,elastic,with 4 velcro strips on them.

    There is a hard strip in he inside of your hands. I think it is metal it runs half way up my arm. I cannot seem to use the keys properly on the computer does that happen to you or anybody???

    trisher
  • robertls
    robertls Member Posts: 2,304
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    You may need to bend the metal strip to a suitable position....
    Does make typing a challenge.......but hey.......whats life without a challenge???? :roll:

    As if we don't have enough

    Rob x
    Roba045.gif
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Re hab

    If you have had that many hits on your posterior, how can it be peachy soft nice looking ect is it not now black and blue with horrid yellowy and greeny patches ect. :mrgreen:

    I have the impression that it somewhat looks like a map of the world with varying degrees of colour taking into account that the hits have taken place over a period of time, hence the variation of colour.

    trisher x
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    trisher wrote:
    Hi

    I had an appointment with a hand therapist today.They looked at my hands and wrists ect.
    I still have the funny cast from my fingers op.

    She has put both hands in splints and told me to wear them all the time also in bed.

    I just wanted to know how to care for them. Also if anyone had any tips about wearing them eg: Do they get sweaty? :(

    Many Thanks

    trisher xx

    I've washed mine many times. Are they the stiff white ones or the brown ones with metal on the inside? I take the metal out and just swish around in some soapy water and then put on the line to dry.
    or tumble dry.
    The hard white ones I just wipe down with a soapy clothe. These are the splints made by my Occupational Therapist. I don't think I could wear the brown ones all night.

    Joy
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    i wash my brown one the same as you joy.
    how are you doing trisher? hope the splints help you mine do :D
    page
  • scorpiojackie
    scorpiojackie Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, I just remove the metal inserts & pop them in washing machine when Im doing a load... then leave to dry naturally before replacing the inserts. :)
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Scorpio Jackie

    Thank you very much. Do you get on alright with them?

    trisher x
  • scorpiojackie
    scorpiojackie Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    trisher wrote:
    Hi Scorpio Jackie

    Thank you very much. Do you get on alright with them?

    trisher x

    Hello Trisher, yes no real problems. They were strange in the beginning, just wore them for short periods then took them off to exercise my hands. Now I wouldnt be without them, when I need them.
    I look at them as gadgets that help me to stay independant. I use them when I need the support & strength... when trying to hoover for example, when sleeping(prevents me over bending my wrists) and find them really useful when my wrists/hands are flaring and need to be imobilized for pain reduction/reasons.
    They do retain the heat a bit & can feel sweaty sometimes... just remove & air, wash hands to sort this. I do keep a couple of pairs so that washing them isnt a problem.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi I'm so glad you find your hand splints so helpful. I use mine when I'm in pain, I also rest in the evenings with then on. They do really help me a lot. I can't sleep in them though. I have tried, but they increase the itchyness that I get from my neck problem!
    Love Sue
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I hated wearing min in the summer. But now it's getting colder, well they are great. I have one for each hand/wrist, but the left one is the most painful. What I like about the night time ones for me is that they support the whole arm and they are so light. Again I have one for each hand, Need to be referred to an occ t.
    Getting closer to my nerve conductor test. By the way, how do they do it.

    Typing for me is a challenge especially as I use to be the fastest typist in the department. I'm bragging again. At the moment only using one hand, but hey, as s'one said everything is a challenge. joy
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Joy

    Your having one of those tests. It said on my form which I got this week that it is like having a blood test done. (What it feels like) that's how they described it on the Q & A will it hurt bit.

    I've got both hands in these splints. They have given me a piece at memory foam to do excercises.

    I just worried if they put the needle in my hands, that's ok I won't mind that. I'm on anti co ags and my INR levels are kept in the region of 3.4. - 4.4I will bleed quite badly.Sometimes it takes a long while for me to stop bleeding.

    trisher
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    trisher wrote:
    Hi Joy

    Your having one of those tests. It said on my form which I got this week that it is like having a blood test done. (What it feels like) that's how they described it on the Q & A will it hurt bit.

    I've got both hands in these splints. They have given me a piece at memory foam to do excercises.

    I just worried if they put the needle in my hands, that's ok I won't mind that. I'm on anti co ags and my INR levels are kept in the region of 3.4. - 4.4I will bleed quite badly.Sometimes it takes a long while for me to stop bleeding.

    trisher

    I don't care how much it hurts, we are all use to pain. I know some of you may think differently but I'm not much of a bleeder. 2nd Dec is so long off and I just want to get this over and done with. I'm fed up with the pain I get from my wrist and hand. The thumb is worse. The fingers feel like I have had the skin peeled off them. Horrible.

    Thanks for the info.
    Good luck with the splints, but I would seriously try and get referred to an OT to see if you can have some white supports made for sleeping in. I can always send you a photo of them