Braces are widely used in hand surgery. It plays a very important role in the treatment process. There are professional hand therapists abroad to assist hand surgeons, teaching patients how to perform physical therapy, how to move around, how to use braces, etc. Unfortunately, hand therapists in China have not yet formed a separate discipline. Currently, educating patients about post-operative rehabilitation is basically done by hand surgeons, rehabilitation physicians, and also by manufacturers or sales agents of braces. It can be said that there is still a different understanding.
I. Static brace
The main purpose is to protect the joints, avoid unnecessary activities of the joints, and prevent aggravating injuries or secondary changes.
1.Wrist joint protection brace
Keep the wrist joint in a certain position. Depending on the need, it can be in flexion, neutral or dorsal extension position. Commonly used for wrist ligament injuries, unexplained pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Some supermarkets will sell finished sports wrist brace.
2.Support for controlling the metacarpophalangeal joint
After ulnar nerve injury, some of the fingers are in the state of metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension and interphalangeal joint flexion, commonly known as “claw-shaped hand”. If in this position for a long time, it is easy to cause relaxation of the palmar joint capsule of the metacarpophalangeal joint and the central bundle of the extensor tendon, and the dorsal extensor device may produce a secondary contracture. In this case, even if the nerve function is restored later, the fingers will not function well. Therefore, it is important to avoid such changes until the nerve recovers, which requires the use of a brace. By controlling the metacarpophalangeal joint in a slightly flexed position, the finger will naturally straighten.
3.Support to maintain the thumb to palm position
Also known as a thumb brace.
4.Support to protect the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb
It is used for the treatment of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint lateral collateral ligament injury, i.e. “skier’s thumb”.
5.Thumb interphalangeal joint stabilization support
Used for the treatment of thumb interphalangeal joint dislocation, after reset.
6.Goose neck deformity correction support
7.Button deformity correction support
8.Hammer finger support
9.Buddy tape or buddy ring
Make two adjacent fingers move together to protect the ligaments of injured fingers.
10.Ring after reconstruction of the slide
Protects the reconstructed slide to prevent breakage.
II. Dynamic brace
The elasticity of a spring or the pulling force of a rubber band continuously acts on the joint to relax the contracted structure or to maintain a certain amount of movement while keeping the joint in a non-injurious position. There are also post-tendon surgery braces that are more complex and require professional guidance.
1.Prevent or correct the metacarpophalangeal joint flexion contracture.
2.Preventing metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension or correcting contracture in extension position.
3.Correct interphalangeal joint flexion contracture.
4.Prevent over-extension of the interphalangeal joint.
5.Auxiliary support for various tendons after surgery.