braces/splints/supports - general questions

[Englishgremlin1]

I saw the new OT at the hsopitasl this mroning and she had read up on EDs.HMS and was trying to be helpful. She wanted to issue me with the splints ion the pictures below, but appliances deny they have them. If anyone can recognise then sp[lints and give me a name or maker I woujld be very grateful as I may be splintless otherwise.

[laracomps]

Are they custom made, or off the shelf?

[Englishgremlin1]

they are off the shelf - with diferent sizes - quite thick plastic with a softer foam inner. then straps look much better done than the velcro on custom made ones.

[Superstottie]

Well I am well and truly peeved! Saw an Extended Scope Practitioner today to treat my trigger finger and she noted that I also have carpal tunnel, so suggested that resting splints would be good to wear at night - then told me that they cannot provide them and I would have to buy my own!!! I am sick of feeling that I am being fobbed off all the time!! I can't afford to buy anything at the moment as my hubby can't work due to looking after me and the kids and DLA won't pay me anything!

[Superstottie]

Totally forgot the point of my post - can anyone recommend a good resting splint for carpal tunnel? Cheap but good!! I hope to be able to get one that will help hold my fingers in a neutral position too to help with the trigger finger as only had one hand injected and knowing me it wont work anyway!!

Thank you!! x x x

[LazyHaze]

Hello everyone!
I think I'm being stupid but I couldn't find anything about what they give bendies for back splints/supports, all I can find is things for scoliosis (I don't think I have that, but I keep being told I'm "wonky" and the docs didn't tell me until a year ago that all of my lumbar disks are herniated upwards into the vertibra even though I've been seeing them for 5 years) I've got thumb and wrist supports now, which are great, shame they couldn't have some one with a little fashion sense make them, but hey ho.

So, what supports so we get for backs?

[Llaurin]

I have constant pain/problems with my knees after spraining my cruciate ligaments last year, they have never quite been right since. I strap them if I know I am going to be on my feet a lot or if I need to climb stairs, but Tubigrip has a nasty habit of creasing up behind my knee and it gets quite painful after a few hours. I tried a neoprene support, but again it creases behind the knee. Any suggestions as to a support that won't crease up and that is comfortable to wear all day? I did try a long sock under the Tubigrip but it didn't help.

[Rosie]

Hi all

LazyHaze, have a look at this site for some examples of the type of supports that are available for backs. They type you need wil depend on where and what the problem is.

Llaurin, if you read back through this thread, at the bottom of page 3 I think, there is alink to the type of knee brace that I have. it is not a cheap one, but there are other makes and types similar to this that are cheaper and do the same job.

Rosie

[shen]

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up about an ankle splint i've been using for a while now.

I found it in Boots and it's from elastoplast, but it has 4 rods that help to stabalize the ankle. The relief i felt as soon as i put it on was immense, I could weight bare a bit more without fearing my ankle would go from underneath me. It's also very comfy and adjustable so you can tighten or loosen it as you need.

It might be a bit pricy at £26.99 but it's helped me alot.

[hej500]

I've got a question about splints that's slightly off topic.

When do you wear them? My physio said to wear my wrist splints when I have pain, which is most days. But another person's physio has said to really limit use of them and try and only use them for an injury (rather than general pain). Just wondering what other people have been advised.

[Rosie]

Hiya

Some physios say to minimise use of supports as if you overuse them you run thr risk of the muscle tone deteriorating, it's the old 'use it or lose it'. However, this does not always fit woth our bodies. I wear my ankle braces every day. If I don't, I can't walk for more than a few steps without bones subluxing, or stand for more than a minute without my SI joints becoming painful beyond what I can bear.
However, I wear my knee brace when I know that I am going to be doing something that will make it painful (like driving longer distances), or if it very painful already. It took a while to work out, but I usually know what is more than a particular joint can bear, and wear the support before the pain kicks in so that I don't cause damage to that joint. I am sure it is better in the long run.

Rosie

[hej500]

Thank you Rosie. That was really helpful and fits with how I've been using my splints.

Thanks

[wobblywoo]

Hi

I am having a lot of knee problems and apart from surgery as far as i can see my only other option is knee braces, not for all day use but i want some suitable for exercising in, in the hope to strengthen and avoid surgery. ( one knee i can't bend past 90, and get pain in both knees with the slightest twist)

My questions are..

Is this type of brace available through NHS? and who would i see about getting them?
If not available on NHS what do i do?

Other thoughts very welcome

Thanks

Wobbly

[Superstottie]

Has anyone found a good wrist splint that can be used with crutches? Is there such a thing?? I have got some like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mcdavid-Carpal-Tunnel-Wrist-Support/dp/B003554I64/ref=pd_sim_d_1 but they don't work very well with the crutches as the metal strip tends to dig in! I really need wrist splints as I am constantly hurting my wrists when using the crutches, but can't use my wheelchair all the time (won't fit round my house!)

[nemonie]

This brace is pretty fab generally and very good for using with crutches, as the wrist is held in neutral and there is no metal to dig in.