Finger injuries make everyday tasks more difficult to perform.
Finger splints vary from the very simple, which can be applied at home with just some medical tape, to the more complex, which are custom designed for a person's finger and ailment. The most common use for a finger splint is for sprains or breaks, but other uses include physical therapy and stretching or increasing range of motion.
Buddy Splints
Buddy splints are the simplest of all finger splints and involve taping the ailing finger to an adjoining finger to limit its mobility. Buddy splints are used for finger sprains and should not be used for breaks or more serious finger injuries.
Static Splints
Static splints are designed to hold a finger or fingers in a fixed position, either straight or bent depending on what is needed. Static splints can be purchased over the counter and typically have a metallic shell with a foam inner lining that cushions the finger. These splints can be used for sprains as well as breaks because they completely immobilize the finger.
Stack Splints
Stack splints are used to treat a condition known as mallet finger which is an injury where the outermost finger tendon gets injured on the knuckle side, causing the finger to bend forward. Stack splints are designed to hold this outermost joint straight until the tendon is healed while still allowing full mobility in other finger joints.
Dynamic Splints
Dynamic splints are the most complex of all finger splints and are typically used to stretch stiff joints. They are often spring loaded and are made of metal, plastic and foam. They are custom made for each specific individual. Unlike other splints, dynamic splints are not typically worn full-time; they are worn during periods of inactivity or rest, for an hour or two.
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