My wrist splints/supports

[Blunderwoman]

Hi all

My daughter has been given the type of splint that Sue is describing for her constantly dislocating thumb - at the hospital they called it a "Scaphoid Splint". She has been in plaster since about June and the doctors decided to give her this splint instead but the one they gave her was miles too big and her thumb dislocated inside the splint!! Shes now back in plaster.

Take care

Pauline

[Sue New]

Hi Guys,

I have finally found a link to a picture of a brace similar to mine:

click here

It is just your "common or garden" NHS type but is has seemed to help me so far

Take care all

Sue.

[Guest]

Looks at wrist ->-> -> Yes thats the horrid NHS one I was given second time around Sue. I'm just using mine now whilst typing as my thumb is trying to jump out and my usual splint is impossible to type in, but this thing is sawing at my skin


Nonya was thinking the other day about the skin thing when we was talking about the splints tearing into my skin and I'm right it is just HMS awkward skin other wise when I tape my fingers up they would tear wouldn't they? need to starts a new post on this skin thing though as there is stuff I needt o ask peeps

[Guest]

maybe it depends on what area you live in , but I have found my OT, physio and the appliance centres really usefull. my OT makes me neoprene support wraps for the wrists and ankle when I need them. I am not actually 'on her books' anymore but call her whenever I need anything and she books me back in. the appliance centre give me their catalogues and let me select what I want. believe me there is far more available on the NHS than we are led to believe, I have just ordered the wrist splints I saw online from a thread in here, black material, zip up the sides and plastic heat molded inserts. the appliance centre have to order them in from the states but were happy to do so. They also let me select my ankle splints from a huge range (think it was about 3 catalogues) so I was sure I was getting the best I could find. Don't be fobbed off by their first suggestion (I was offered hinged ankle calipers, imagine how that would look in the gym) ask to look at everything they can supply.

[Princess_Sarah]

I know this topic was posted and answered long before I even got here but I'm so glad I've just fished it out.

My dream is to be a writer and I usually write poems/short stories/monologues on my pc but used to always write them down. Last week my boyf bought me a beautiful book and today I first used it.
After 5 minutes I was sobbing in pain because my wrist was so sore and kept clicking. I'm in total agony with it and now just typing with my left hand (taking some time grr hehe)
But I came across this thread and ordered myself one of the splints from the first topic - hopefully it'll give me some relief but until I get it i'm so not writing. I have the bigger pens with the grips etc but they dont seem to help.
Who knows though - hopefully the splint will.
Keep you all updated and thanks for starting this topic

Take care

xxox

[emjsaunders]

Going against my own views and just spouting stuff the rheum spesh said yesterday you shouldn't use splints. She said tuby grip is ok but you must keep it moving (thats if youre talking about HMS). Personally, i am choosing to ignore bits of her advice because i know sometimes i need to strap mine up. My sister has a great thing with a metal bar thing running though it. If my arm is bad i'll use it and it does help (but i get very stiff and need to click my wrist. I do not know how i coped with a cast on my arm!). With HMS though i think part of me agree's with her. Best to get a splint that you can take off every 15 minutes and move about otherwise it'll get bad. She said it was a cycle. You hurt the joint, do not move it, it gets weaker, hurts more, prone to more damage, rest it more, it gets even weaker... Anyway, sorry if that came out as a ramble. Sleeping patterns gone weird

Emma x

[nickb]

Over the last couple of years those of you who've met me have asked about my splints- Rosie managed to track them down on the web for me -isn't she an angel?

http://www.technologyinmotion.co.uk/flash/wrist/exolite.htm#

not sure how much they are-I got mine thru the NHS, but if you get a referral to an Orthotist then they should be able to order them in for you

[Sue New]

Thank you Nick (& Rosie) for posting this link . My referral has come through to see the orthotics department for an assessment for a new wrist splint (Aug 30th) so I think I will take info about this one with me. When you showed us your splint when we had the meet the other day, I remember thinking how good yours looked. I wonder is it is suitbale for unstable thumbs though .

Bye for now,

Sue.

[H]

Hi all,
I'm new to this site and have been looking at supports and aids available.
I am waiting to have a support for my wrist and elbow-after many years of pain, I was finally taken seriously and diagnosed by a rheumatologist with HMS.
Prior to this, I was using a wrist splint bought from a pharmacy and it seems to have done more harm than good. It kept my wrist straight but has forced my thumb into a curled in positon. That was using a splint with a metal bar inside.
Anyway, my current difficulties are extreme pain in my shoulder, elbow and wrist. I have been using my left side for everything and now my left shoulder and neck is beginning to hurt.
I'm really struggling to manage with everything form opening bottles, tins, lifting, dressing, washing and even cutting up food has become a challenge.
Does anyone have any tips or know of any tools I could use to manage better?
After my diagnosis, I saw my GP in the hope of having an assessment or some help but this didn't happen. Instead I was told it was up to my Rheumatologist to sort out. My next appointment is September!
I'm finding it very hard. I used to play the keyboard, draw, make cards, write poetry and now I can't even unscrew a bottle top without agony.
What gadgets are available-I live on my own and I just can't deal with this on my own.

[Rosie]

Hiya

Just wanted to add that I ordered my two by phone, the guy went into the stock room to check if they were there, and they arrived 2 days later. They cost about £65 for the pair. It would be even better if I could have got them on the NHS but I am just pleased to have found them.



Rosie

[Rosie]

Hi H

It may be worth you seeing an OT (occupational therapist) as they are able to reccommend what gadgets could help you. I think that they sometimes provide them as well. Try using the search tool at the top of the page as there a number of threads that you may find helpful. If I remember OK there are 2 different types of OTs.



Rosie

[Sandy L]

EMJ, talk to an occupational therapist. There are all sorts of gadgets to ease the force required to hold a pen or pencil.

[H]

Thanks Rosie-but how do I get to see an OT?
My rheumatologist referred me to see a physio and podiatrist only and my GP wasn't interested in helping.
I think I have tendonitis in my elbow too as it clicked painfully out of place over a month ago and then back. Since then the sharp pains in my elbow have been horrendous without moving it. When I do, pain radiates down to my hand. I can't use my right arm to do much at all and I really don't know where to get help. Using my left side has hurt my neck.
Soon I'll have difficulty doing anything.
I'm on the verge of going to casualty-but my guess is they'll X-ray, see nothing and just send me away with a tubi grip.
This is frustrating. In the mean time, I'm using ice to ease the pain.
I've been trying to buy a tennis elbow support but not having much success over the internet.
The site (s) on here haven't yet responded to my e-mail.

[nickb]

Sorry Sue, its not going to help with unstable thumbs

[Retro]

The two types of OT are NHS and Social Services. NHS will help with splints and things SS will help with gadgets, gizmos and adaptations around the home. I think how you get to see them might vary from area to area (assuming you are in the UK). Try phoning you're local Social Work department and ask about a referral to an OT. I know I can refer myself to mine. As for NHS don't have a clue but it might be worth phoning your NHS trust and asking them.

Hope this helps.

Lindsey