splinting guides that will enable therapist choose the right materials for different diagnosis

1. HAND THERAPY-KENYA
SPLINTING TIPS
1. PREPAREAHEAD
 Understandthe kindof splintyouare tomake
 Have the necessarytoolsandmaterialsinplace
2. PATTERN DESING
 Knowyourdesign
 Draw the patternon a piece of paper
 Use a markeror inkpento trace onthe material(itwillleavepermanentmarkonthe splint)
 Test the patternon the patientfirstoadjustthe tracing before cutting
3. KNOW THE DIAGNOSIS/CONDITION
4. BE FLEXIBLE
5. INSISTON CLEAN WORKINGAREAS
6. USE GRAVITYTO ASSISTYOUR SPLINTCONSTRUCTION
 Use gravitypositioningbyplacingmaterial ontopof the patientandlettingitsinkintothe
contours(fewfingerprintsandpressure areasdue tounevenhandling)
7. TRY WEARINTG THE SPLINT YOURSELF FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES
 Pressure areas
 Good fit
8. CLEAN THE SCISSORSWITH ALCOHOLSWAB (scissornotsharpenough)
 Alcohol removesresidualglue fromself-adhesive Velcro,sterilize andkeepitcleaninbetween
patients
9. PROVIDECLEAR WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
 Donning&doffing
 Purpose of the of the splint

2.  Wearingschedules
 How to cleanit
 How to coverit if itmust be wornwhile bathing
10. PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE
 Repetitionisthe key- youneedtopractice overandover before perfectingthe artandscience
behindgoodsplinting