Finger splints are the kind of supports you’d use to keep a finger in line, or at least control how much movement it’s doing. They come in handy for a whole range of things, from injuries to chronic conditions like arthritis. These days, they’re often used to help manage the symptoms of sprains, mallet finger, and trigger finger – conditions where a bit of support, protection and pain relief can make a real difference to how the finger functions.
If you’re dealing with a finger injury or a condition that’s limiting movement and you want to figure out which splint will help, how to get it to fit right, how long to wear it, how to take care of it, and when you should get some medical advice, then this guide is for you. It’ll tell you about the main types of finger splints, what they’re good for and how to pick the right one.
Finger splints are used to lend a bit of support to a finger joint, limit any unwanted movement and protect an area that’s been injured or is causing some other problem. They can be used to help with injuries, joint conditions, instability and any issues that are causing problems with finger movement.
Yes, finger splints can do a lot to help reduce finger pain by limiting the movements that are making things worse. They can also give you a bit of extra support when you’re doing everyday tasks – as long as you know what’s causing the pain.
But finger pain can come from a lot of different places, so a splint won’t be the answer every time.
Yes, finger splints can be a big help when it comes to managing the symptoms of arthritis in the finger joints – that includes osteoarthritis.
You don’t have to immobilise the whole finger, by the way – sometimes you need to be able to move one part of it while keeping another bit still.
A finger splint can be a big help when it comes to managing trigger finger by limiting how much you bend the finger or thumb that’s been affected. This cuts down on the movement that’s making the symptoms worse, which can include things like clicking, catching and locking.
Some common symptoms include:
Finger splints can certainly help with joint stiffness and instability – they just do different things in each case.
A splint can hold a stiff joint in a certain position or help control a bit of its range of motion. Some designs will let you move a bit, while keeping other parts still.
But if you immobilise the joint too much, you can actually make things worse and contribute to even more stiffness – so the level of restriction on the movement needs to be right for the individual problem.
When a finger joint is unstable, a splint can help prevent it doing too much movement and staying in proper alignment.
It can provide a bit of stability to make it easier to move around, while still allowing other parts of your hand to move normally. And sometimes, they’re used in conjunction with exercises recommended by a healthcare professional to help sort out the instability.
There are a few different types of finger splints out there – buddy splints, Stack splints, dynamic splints and custom-fit splints are some of the most common. Each one is designed to tackle a particular joint, injury or movement requirement.
Finger splints can be made from materials like plastic or metal, and they come in all sorts of different designs – you might find foam cushioning, adjustable straps, washable surfaces, reusable designs and even Velcro straps to make it easier to adjust the fit when your swelling goes up or down. And for people who need to avoid latex, there are latex-free options available.
A finger splint should feel secure without putting too much pressure on your finger, causing you pain or discomfort.
The position of the finger will depend on what you’re trying to treat – it might need to stay straight, bend or stay in a neutral position.
Before wearing a splint, make sure you check that:
Some designs have a hook-and-loop strap or some other sort of Velcro fastening.
Because swelling can change during the day, having an adjustable splint can be really useful – it means you can loosen or tighten it as needed. Some of them even come with a little marker or marker to show you how to put them on correctly or which bit is the looser end.
Keep an eye on the skin underneath the splint because that’s where all the trouble can start – check for red marks, rubbing or irritation, especially when you’re first starting out with a splint.
How long you need to wear a finger splint depends on what’s wrong with your finger, how it got hurt, and what kind of splint you’re using.
Some splints are just for special events or for certain times of day because that’s when the injury needs extra support. Others need to stay on for longer periods of time because the joint needs to be held in a certain position while it heals.
For example, some mallet finger injuries need a splint all the time for around 8 weeks to keep the tendon fixing itself in the right position. How long you need to wear a splint will depend on what type of injury you have and what your doctor says.
Some finger splints are made for wearing to bed, while others are just for daytime use.
Sometimes people need to wear a splint at night because part of the treatment for their injury is keeping the joint in a certain position. If you’re supposed to wear the splint all the time, just follow the instructions and don’t take it off unless you have to.
You need to clean a finger splint as per the manufacturer’s instructions to keep it in good nick and hygienic. What you do is usually depends on what the splint is made of and what it looks like.
Good care for a finger splint includes:
If you do need to take it off for a bath, just follow the instructions they give you. When you put it back on, dry it and the skin underneath really thoroughly.
If the skin underneath gets itchy, you might be able to get some temporary relief by blowing a cool breeze across it with a hairdryer – but if it keeps on itching, you should probably see a doctor.
When using finger splints, there are four important things to keep in mind to make sure they work well and don’t cause any problems:
By following these simple rules, you can make sure your finger splint helps you heal, reduces pain, and avoids any unwanted complications.
You need to get your finger checked out by a doctor if you’re worried there might be a fracture, a tendon injury or some other serious injury.
Go see a doctor if you get:
Some finger injuries need X-rays or special treatment. A lot of them can be sorted out without a cast, but if you do have a bad fracture, you might need a stiff cast to keep your finger fixed in place.
The sort of finger splint you need depends on what’s wrong with your finger, which part of your finger is affected, and how much movement you need to control.
When you’re choosing a splint, think about:
A doctor or a local pharmacy can give you some basic advice on what sort of splint you might need, but if you think the injury might be worse than that then you should get some proper medical advice. If you’re not sure which splint is best or how to get your finger to sit right, a healthcare professional can help you out, and some injuries might need surgery even if a splint would work.
While both finger splints and casts are used to stop a finger from moving around and protect it from injury – including some fractures – they are different. Here are the main differences:
Finger splints can be a lifesaver for folks dealing with a variety of finger problems – injuries, arthritis, that pesky trigger finger, and joint instability being just a few. Whether a finger splint will do the trick for you, though, depends on the specific issue you’re up against, how symptoms are manifesting and what kind of support your finger really needs.
A finger splint could be just what the doctor ordered if you’ve got an injured finger that needs guarding, or if you’re looking to keep some unwanted wiggling at bay or give a sore or unstable joint a bit more TLC. Just be sure to choose a splint that’s just right for you and wear it as it says in the instructions.
If you’re not entirely sure whether a finger splint is the way to go, or your symptoms are just plain getting worse, more persistent or downright severe – it’s probably time to get some expert advice from a healthcare pro.
