Finger splints

[Pennypetra]

Hi All

I have had systemic sclerosis for 18 years and my fingers are very curled. I have been recommended to get finger splints to wear at night. Does anyone have experience of these.

Thanks

Pennypetra

[MEW53]

Pennypetra,

I had some splints made for my hands before I was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis over 3 years ago as my hands had curled badly.

The weather was very hot at the time and I couldn’t get on with them a few months later I was admitted to hospital cos the rest of the body got very bad. I tend to try and sleep with my hands between my knees or under my arms and I managed to improve things by using an iPad and using a dibber to press the keys. I have made a lot of progress using my own ways of doing things.

One hand opened up slightly but both hands are still claw like, but have managed to things in different ways, forgot to say I used a small sponge ball to exercise them.

I see the hand surgeon yearly he says that the hands will not get any better but loves to hear about my alternative home physio techniques, he just likes to monitor me cos the condition is so rare.

Worth trying the splints as it now winter and a better time to try them cos your hands won’t get sweaty.

[Pennypetra in reply to MEW53]

thank you for your reply. I will try the ball

[Hidden]

My sister has EDS and uses finger splints - I think there’s a fair few posts on them in the ehlers-Danlos group if there’s not many responses in here

[Pennypetra in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.i will look at that site

[Pennypetra in reply to Pennypetra]

Thanks. I do use cream and have tried wax baths. Will have another word with my specialist

[Cookie81]

Hi. I used a splint a few years ago as my fingers were curling up, I could barely use them. In my experience, it helped with straightening them out. There are hand exercises you can do which will help - your physiotherapist or SRUK have recommendations on the kind of exercises which will help.

There's also wax baths and cream to help keep your skin on your hands soft.

The splint will not work on its own - a combination of all of the above will help restore some function in your hands.

[Pennypetra in reply to Cookie81]

Thanks for advice

[bluesgirl]

A very senior orthopaedic hand surgeon who was very familiar with Scleroderma/clawed fingers advised me not to bother with night splinting. Very upsetting as l thought they were helping.Check out you tube Doctor Charles P Melone talking about Scleroderma hands to give you some basic understanding.

[Pennypetra]

Thanks I will check that out

[LucyJean]

Hello there, I agree with all the other people who have replied...managing contractures requires a combination of approaches.

1. Daily stretches - keep them gentle, don't aggressively pull out your fingers as this can damage the underlying tissues. Ideally you want to talk to a physio who has knowledge of scleroderma or Occupational therapist. Do them little and often. At least a couple of times a day. You might want to do them in warm water. Combine them with putting on regular hand cream. some people find daily use of a wax bath is excellent to help movement, circulation and the condition of the skin.

2. Moisturise...moisturise...moisturise!!! Use a decent, gentle hand cream throughout the day. Keep hands dry, and moisturise after washing. Keeping the skin soft and protected is essential.

3. Avoid trauma. This is often what triggers contractures. Do what you can to protect the delicate tissues.

4. Reduce pressure and friction on the joints

5. Avoid infections...wear gloves, wash hands regularly.

6. Keep hands warm

7. There is not a lot of good evidence for splinting, but some people find it does help to rest their hands overnight in a comfortable, supported position. Talk to an Occupational Therapist about the benefits and see if it works for you.

Have a look at this video. It has excellent information on the hands in scleroderma.

youtube.com/watch?v=mBWtc3A...(Not working as expected?)

I have probably forgotten something, but hopefully the above helps.

All my best

Lucy xx

[cpns in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you so much for sharing the youtube clip. It has helped me to make sense of a lot of comment I have read on this site & has enabled me to get some perspective on my conditions as they stand today & reminded me that in the early stages there is much that I can do to slow the effects of the progression of my conditions.

[Pennypetra in reply to LucyJean]

Thanks Lucy for your great reply. The video was so good I shall keep referring to it

Pennypetra x

[NBHH in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you. Very helpful

[tanya1981]

Ladies,

Can I ask about your experience with contractures? Is this something that developed for you over time? Is it typical of both limited and diffuse scleroderma?

I have a mild version of CREST and would like to know if there anything I can do to prevent this from developing in the future

Thanks, Tanya

[LucyJean in reply to tanya1981]

Hi Tanya, I would just make sure I was looking after my hands well. Keep an eye on the skin, keep them supple, active and well moisturised. Pretty much what I said above. Everyone is different and with mild disease there is no reason why you should develop contractures. Lx

[tanya1981 in reply to LucyJean]

Thanks, Lucy - will keep in mind, need to get better at moisturising. The video you shared is brilliant by the way