Tendonitis on the forearm, hands or wrist occurs when the tendons passing through these areas become swollen. Severe cases of tendonitis can cause a lot of pain and can be debilitating to the individual. There are first aid measures and treatment that you can provide if an individual is suspected with wrist tendonitis. The individual must be instructed to rest the wrist joint as well as splinting. These are considered effective ways to treat the condition.
Why splinting is required for wrist tendonitis?
It is important to note that tendonitis is triggered by the inflammation of the tendon and its sheath. There are various causes of the condition but overusing the hands and repetitive strain are the main causes. Splinting the wrist will allow it to rest and prevent further mechanical stress. Always remember that rest is an effective treatment for tendonitis.
Before a splint is applied for wrist tendonitis, it is important that the condition must be confirmed first before treated. By consulting a doctor, a proper diagnosis can be made. There are other conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome have striking symptoms such as the pain and swelling. Splinting the affected wrist at night is enough to treat the condition in addition to the limited daily splinting.
What are tendonitis wrist splints?
Take note that a splint for wrist tendonitis is specially designed to set the hand in a neutral position. There are various products that are readily available in the market at the present and most have the same function. Nevertheless, even with the similar functionality, there is a large price gap so the individual must compare the features and their prices.
There are some types of splints that immobilize the thumb but in most cases, a thumb hole is adequate enough to immobilize the thumb’s movement. The commonly used splints are usually made out of a flexible fabric that contains a sturdy internal support. There are also other splints that are entirely made out of a hard plastic shell. Take note that the hard varieties are more costly and can be cumbersome than the soft fabric splints.
When to use a splint – night or day?
Using the splint for wrist tendonitis at night is considered as the ideal approach so that the affected wrist can rest properly. It is important to note that at night; most of us have the tendency to bend and twist the hand unconsciously, thus aggravating the condition. The immobilization provided by a splint will prevent these movements.
During the day, splinting can be actually harmful if used continuously especially when the affected hand is used. Unconscious hand movements while being immobilized will flex and extend the wrist in an isometric manner, thus adding further damage. Additionally, a certain degree of joint movement is vital to promote the flow of blood and drain the lymphatic fluid. Movement can also reduce the formation of adhesions around the tendon.
Important considerations to bear in mind
When using a splint for wrist tendonitis, there are precautions to take into consideration. Initially, the splint must provide firm support to the wrist. The splint must also support the wrist in a neutral position.