Finger splints

[enthusiatjc]

Hi all, I recently got some finger splints made that supposedly help control the deformity in my fingers because of RA. Does anyone have any experience with splints? Attached is a picture of the ones I got.

[LizzieR]

Hi,

Where did you get those from? They are so pretty! Not like the arm/ wrist/ finger splints I had done!

[enthusiatjc in reply to LizzieR]

Hi Lizzie, I live in Canada (about to move to London), and my doc referred me to someone here who custom made them for me. They look pretty, but are quite uncomfortable. My wrist splint is quite ugly. Have you worn your splints for long? Do they make a difference?

[LizzieR in reply to enthusiatjc]

Well welcome to this forum and welcome in advance to the UK then!

I wore my splints for a little while- but they seemed to make my fingers even worse. They are big, bulky and flesh coloured. Not great! I talked to my rheumy about them and she said nothing much helped so if they were uncomfortable not to wear them. I'd follow your doc's advice though. The only thing I've found that works a bit is orthopaedic insoles - they help stretch my toes which have a tendency to curl.

[Eiram50]

Hi

I wear splints when needed but they're not a patch on yours!

I can imagine that they can. E uncomfortable though, especially when over the knuckle ?

[enthusiatjc in reply to Eiram50]

They stop my fingers from bending, but my fingers bend by reflex when I'm doing something, and that really presses the splints into the first joint and it hurts. So I'm constantly taking them off when I'm doing something and wearing them back when I'm not doing anything with my hands, like watching tv. It's quite a nuisance. I'm still getting used to it :/

[Eiram50 in reply to enthusiatjc]

Ouch! Maybe there's something to be said for the ugly big standard NHS splints after all !

Seriously though, that dies sound painful. Do you have to wear them at night? I know I've fallen asleep with mine.

[Sweetpolly2016]

I have used splints. They really help prevent your fingers to straighten them before it become deformed.

[enthusiatjc in reply to Sweetpolly2016]

That's good to know. At least the pain and discomfort won't go unrewarded.

[Sweetpolly2016]

I purchased a box of 28 splints. They were plastic. On Amazon, if I remember correctly

[Jay2]

I like these

Where did you get them from? I have plastic ones from the OT which I wear at night but I would love some of these because I would happily wear them all day

[enthusiatjc in reply to Jay2]

I had them made in Canada. The person who makes it was a jeweler. He makes some pretty splints!

[Juliachoo]

Ooh I hope the OT gives me some as my fingers are going banana shaped! I'll ask her on Tues, yours look quite decorative like silver rings. Xx

[adev]

I have had Murphy Splints for a round four years, for swan neck deformity. They are very similar to the ones you have pictured. My OT measured and fitted them, they felt a bit strange to begin with but are fine now. I wore them all the time to start with but I only use them now whilst working. They really prevent my fingers going into that swan neck but I do struggle with them if I am doing any hand sewing. I know you can get some really pretty ones from the States, that coloured stones on them. Good luck with yours, I hope they work for you xx

[enthusiatjc in reply to adev]

Thanks. I have a mix of splints. My index fingers have swan neck and the others are boutonniere. Hoping I'll get used to them soon