Splints While the burned parts of the body are healing, you sometimes need to give the injured areas extra support and keep them from moving around. To do this, we use orthotics or splints. They are used to maintain or regain a normal position for the part of the body that has been burned. Splints are also used to stretch and soften tight skin and scars. Splints or orthotics are used to hold parts of the body in the best position in order to:
 Custom-made sandals for the feet are generally used for frostbite burns.Purpose: make walking more comfortable Wearing: usually worn only while walking Discomfort: most people say it is more comfortable to walk with sandals on than without because they are padded with foam or fur. Finger extension trough splints  Purpose:
to support a finger joint so that it heals without contracting and to prevent deformityWearing: varies, a common schedule would be to wear it at night while resting and take it off during the day for exercise and activity. Discomfort: usually none Resting hand splint Purpose: to support the hand and wrist joint so that they heal without contracting and so that a deformity does not develop. Wearing: varies, a common schedule would be to wear it at night while resting and take it off during the day for exercise and activity Discomfort: usually none Interdigital (between the fingers) inserts Inserts for between fingers and thumb web space. Purpose: to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and to restore range of motion by stretching the skin. Wearing: usually full time under compression gloves Discomfort: doesn't usually hurt unless the skin that the spacer is pushing against breaks open Cast for a hand  Cast material (plaster or fiberglass)Purpose: worn as a splint to protect the graft, prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and restore range of motion by stretching the skin Wearing: a casting program varies; it might be worn for weeks at a time or it could be a removable cast that is put on only at night Discomfort: not usually painful; it might feel tight at first Cast for the elbow Cast material (plaster or fiberglass) Purpose: worn as a splint to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and restore range of motion by stretching the skin Wearing: a casting program varies; it might be worn for weeks at a time or it might be a removable cast that is put on only at night Discomfort: not usually painful; it might feel tight at first Continuous passive motion machine (CPM) for the hand  Splint for the handPurpose: used to restore range of motion by constantly moving the joint with a machine; the CPM also stretches the skin as it moves the joints through range of motion. Wearing: part time Discomfort: not usually painful Continuous passive motion machine (CPM) for the elbow Splint for an elbow Purpose: used to restore range of motion by constantly moving the joint with a machine; the CPM also stretches the skin as it moves the joints through range of motion Wearing: part time Discomfort: not usually painful Clavicle strap  A strap for the shouldersPurpose: to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and restore motion by stretching the skin Wearing: varies; may be part time or full time, often used to help hold an axillary splint in place Discomfort: not usually; may feel tight on the armpits at first Airplane or axillary splint Splint for the shoulders or axilla Purpose: used to prevent the skin from shrinking as it heals and to restore range of motion by stretching the skin under the arms Wearing: varies; may be part-time or full-time Discomfort: not usually; may feel tight on the armpits at first Iowa City mouth splint  Purpose:
to keep mouth from shrinkingWearing: part-time; it is usually worn with/under a face mask Discomfort: at first it might be a little uncomfortable; doing face exercises and cheek stretching exercises help to make wearing a mouth splint easier MacFarlane mouth splint A mouth splint custom-made by a dentist Purpose: to keep mouth from shrinking Wearing: part time; it is usually worn under a face mask Discomfort: at first it might be a little uncomfortable; doing face exercises and cheek stretching exercises help to make wearing a mouth splint easier Therabite  Mouth exercise splintPurpose: to stretch mouth Wearing: usually done as part of face exercise program; exercises should be done 2-3 times each day for 12-18 months Discomfort: maybe some until the exercise becomes routine |
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