Always bear in mind that tendonitis can affect the forearm, hand and wrists once the tendons that pass through these body parts are inflamed. Severe cases of tendonitis can cause intense pain and debilitating. If an individual is suspected of wrist tendonitis, it is vital to allow the wrist joint to rest and apply a splint on the affected hand and wrist. These are considered as effective measures once the condition is diagnosed and managed early.
Why do I need a splint?
Tendonitis involves inflammation of the tendon and its sheath. There are various causes of this condition and the main reasons include overuse of the hand and repetitive strain. The application of a splint is essential so that the affected wrist can rest and further mechanical strain can be avoided. Always remember that rest is an effective treatment for tendonitis.
Before a wrist splint is used, a diagnosis of tendonitis must be given by the doctor. Other conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome have similar symptoms such as the swelling and pain. Nevertheless, the use of a splint in these conditions is not recommended. In addition, a night time splint might be enough for treatment aside from the limited daily splinting.
Wrist splints for tendonitis
The splint for wrist tendonitis is specially created to maintain the neutral position of the hand. There are several products in the market that can do this. There are some splints that immobilize the thumb but in most cases, a thumb hole is enough to immobilize most movement.
The popular splints for wrist tendonitis are usually made out of flexible fabric that has a stiff internal support. Other types of splints are made out of hard plastic shell. The hard varieties are more costly, cumbersome and difficult to clean than the soft fabric versions.
Night and day splinting for wrist tendonitis
Night time splinting is considered as an ideal strategy to allow the affected wrist to rest. At night time, the hand is being twisted and bent unconsciously, thus aggravating the condition. The immobilization can prevent any harmful movements.
During daytime, splinting is actually more harmful if utilized continuously especially while working or using the affected hand. The unconscious movements of the hands while being immobilized can make the wrist flex and lengthen in an isometric manner, thus further aggravating the injury. In addition, a certain amount of joint movement is vital to promote the flow of blood and drainage of lymphatic fluid. The movement also reduces the formation of adhesions around the tendon. Understandably, splinting during day time must be used carefully and on a limited basis.
Precautions to bear in mind
The splint used for wrist tendonitis must provide firm support. The support must immobilize the wrist and hand and should extend at least one-third onto the forearm. The splint must support the wrist in a neutral position which is a straight line with the forearm.
A contoured and rigid plate must be present in the palm area of the splint for additional comfort. Always remember that the splint used must be comfortable. In case it is uncomfortable or irritating, it must be adjusted especially if it seems to disrupt the flow of blood.