Let's talk about splints....
Starburst
Member Posts: 2,546
I had an OT appointment and asked about splints. She gave me a pair. I was told to only wear them for 40 mins at a time, once a day. How often do you guys wear your splints? Do you find they help? I find mine quite restrictive, which isn't good at work because I work in a nursery school but I also know I need the support because I do a lot of lifting. Even small children can be heavy!
I know you need to move your muscles and get them strong but when they're swollen, it's almost impossible!
I know you need to move your muscles and get them strong but when they're swollen, it's almost impossible!
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Hi, I have OA and wear a splint on my right wrist. I was offered one for the left too but am going to see how I get on with just the one first. I was told to use mine whenever Im busy around the house and when it gets really painful but not to use it when Im resting or sleeping.
Im a full time mum to 3 little boys so I understand about working with children. I find it very awkward at times and find I lift my sons by wrapping my arms around them which they think is great (they call it 'squeezy hugs')
Whilst Ive been told to use it when Im busy, ie hoovering, washing, cooking etc... I shouldn't use it all the time as it may cause my wrists to get weak and my OT showed me a couple of exercises to keep my wrist mobile.
Now I have it though, I find it really does help. Especially when Im doing the food shopping and lifting heavy bags or even just holding a cup of tea.
Will take a while to get used to I expect. Hope yours eases the pressure a little for you too.
Caroline x0 -
Hi Princess,
I wear wrist splints too...and couldn't have managed without them over the years. :!:
To begin with I only wore them when I needed to do anything strenuous but as time has gone on and with arther doing his worst I have had to wear them on both wrists more or less constantly. I also wear 'resting' or night splints.
It is right that you need to strike the right balance between exercise and wearing them but you need to be guided by how your joints feel and what advice the professionals give.
OTs can give you strengthening exercises and also exercises that increase dexterity which are well worth doing consistently to help maintain joint movement.
They (splints!) do take a bit of getting used to but I couldn't have continued at work or been able to drive without them, and I would have needed ops sooner than I did.
(word of warning though : if you do wear them for driving you need to let your insurer know)
good luck with them..Iris x0 -
word of warning though : if you do wear them for driving you need to let your insurer know)
I didn't know this. i was wearing my thumb splint for a while driving but I'm now waiting for a phisio appointment to hopefully get some better splints!
Does it put your premiums up?0 -
At times I don't know where i'd be without splints. I know they can be a bit restrictive but no where as near as restrictive as the pain sometimes is. I only wear mine when I have a flare up and cannot cope with the pain, they are instant relief almost. During a flare, I wear them for a lot longer than 40mins! I suppose because I dont wear them generally, it doesn't matter too much. They are a god send at times though xx0
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rosebud wrote:word of warning though : if you do wear them for driving you need to let your insurer know)
I didn't know this. i was wearing my thumb splint for a while driving but I'm now waiting for a phisio appointment to hopefully get some better splints!
Does it put your premiums up?
Hi rosebud,
It really depends on the insurer. I have a mobility car and when I phoned the insurers to tell them I was wearing splints on both hands they were fine about it; just checked with me that my doc had said I was fit to drive and din't ask for written confirmation. Didn't affect the finance nor did they need to change the certificate of insurance.
But it might be different with other insurers so best to check it out.
there was a thread about this topic some months back....if I can find it I'll bring it back to the top. Iris x0 -
Hi, I can't drive with my splints on, I've tried, because my wrists hurt, but I just can't do it. I wear mine for about half an hour at a time, usually when I'm sitting resting, watching TV. They are a bit itchy, I find, but do help the pain and even when I take thime off they still stop the pain for a short while. I can type in them, but thats about it! I'm not suppossed to wear them for long at a time, so that works OK. Love Sue0
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i have a splint for my oa in my right hand which i leave on most of the day which helps me at work,i do have a more stiffer type for my left hand which ia stroke had badly effected it ( i drive a automatic car dvla ruling ) so yes splints do help .0
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Thank you for all the helpful replies. I've started wearing them once a day for 10 mins at a time when I'm typing as they're still a bit uncomfortable. I haven't yet summoned up the courage to wear them at work. I'm a bit worried about people's reactions and don't like fuss or anything. :oops:0
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If, like me you find the splints rub or make you fee itchy and uncomfortable, try some Tubi-grip on your hand and arm, where the splint touches the skin.
If you find you can't use them as they are too heavy, phone the OT and make an appointment, they may be able to offer you something better, their are all kinds you can get.
Good luck. I hope you find something to help soon.
Love Sue0
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