For a long time, I’ve wanted a list of the most commonly used splints by diagnosis as a quick reference.
In this guide, I’ll list the most commonly used splint for the specific diagnosis first and other splints that may also be used.
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*Note: Each splint listed below requires guidance from a physician. Do not use the following splints until first consulting your physician.

The most common splints used for hand therapy
Here is a list of all the splints listed for hand therapy.
- Dynamic extension splint
- Dynamic flexion splint
- Hinged elbow brace
- Long arm splint
- LMB
- Radial gutter
- Sugar tong
- Thumb spica
- Tip protector
- Ulnar gutter
- Wrist cockup
Splinting terms to know
Amputation (digit)
A tip protector is the most commonly used splint following a digit amputation and the most beneficial to return to work. I prefer these ones with coban, but thermoplastic seems to do the best job.
Reference article
Arthritis
PIP and DIP (finger)
Silver ring splints are commonly used for patients with arthritis and found to be the most effective for increasing dexterity.
Reference article
CMC (thumb) arthritis
- Splinting not effective
Reference article
Bennet’s fracture (First MP joint fracture)
- Thumb spica splint
Boutonniere deformity
- PIP extension splint
- Stacked splint
- LMB
- Ring Splint
Boutonniere deformity requires good compliance to the rigid splint wear. Using a splint that can be removed easily will be helpful for blocking exercises at the PIP joint.
Reference article
Carpal tunnel
The wrist cockup is primarily used for carpal tunnel before and after surgery. It has shown to be most effective when used at night to prevent compression at the median nerve.
Conservative treatment
Splint at night x 6 weeks (AMSU)
Post Surgery
Splinting post surgery is not needed but may be beneficial for the first few days.
Cubital Tunnel
A night splint with 45 degrees of elbow flexion x3 months is the preferred method for conservative management.
Post Surgery
- Heelbow
- Night splint discontinued
CMC Arthroplasty
- Hand based thumb spica splint (Most common)
- Forearm-based thumb spica splint
Most surgeons today use the tight rope method, but some still do the trapeziectomy.
Crush injury (digit)
- Tip protector
A tip protector is the most commonly used splint following a crush injury and the most beneficial to return to work. I prefer these ones with coban, but thermoplastic seems to do the best job.
Bicep tendon repair
- Hinged elbow brace
- Long arm splint
Patients are usually placed in a post op molding for two weeks and progressed to a hinge splint for up to 9 weeks.
If a hinged splint is unavailable, use a long arm splint.
There’s a great resource for therapy here.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Forearm-based thumb spica splint
For conservative management, a forearm-based thumb spica splint is most commonly used to keep the thumb and wrist immobilized.
Post surgery
- Splinting may not be necessary
DIP fracture (P3)
A tip protector is the most commonly used splint following a DIP fracture and the most beneficial to return to work. I prefer silicone fingertip protectors, but thermoplastic seems to do the best job.
You may also consider
- Silicone fingertip protectors
- Stacked splint
DIP Arthrodesis
- DIP extension splint (Preferred)
- Stacked splint
The preferred method is to keep the DIP immobilized with a DIP extension splint for up to 6 weeks.
Distal radius fracture
- Wrist cockup
- Sugar Tong Splint (clamshell)
Dupuytren’s Release
- Hand based extension splint
The best splint for duputen’s release is a hand based extension splint with the affected digit in extension with a pad under P3 and a strap under the PIP joint.
Extensor Polices Longus (EPL) repair
- Forearm-based thumb spica splint
Consider keeping the wrist in 20º ext, the thumb halfway between palmar and radial abduction, and the IP in hyperextension.

Extensor tendon repair
Maintain 15-20º of wrist extension. Outriggers can be a good way to assist with the dynamic component. For more info on dynamic extension splinting read my full post here.
Flexor tendon repair
- Dynamic flexion splint
Ganglion cyst removal
- Wrist cockup
Following surgery the pt is typically in the post op dressing for the first 3-7 days and in the wrist cockup 7-14 days after surgery.
Guyun’s canal release
- Wrist cockup
Before surgery a wrist cockup is commonly used to immobilize the wrist and allow digit motion. A splint is usually not indicated following surgery but may be used if the patient has a “habit of loading the wrist joint.”
Humerus fracture
- Hinged elbow brace
- Long arm splint
- Clamshell splint
- Sling and abduction pillow
Check with your doctor before splinting for a humeral fracture due to a wide variety of protocols. Most humeral fractures don’t need splinting.
Lateral epicondylitis
According to the resource below, therapy was shown to be more effective than bracing unless the patients were younger.
Mallet finger
Splinting for mallet finger can be difficult. The preferred method is using a DIP extension splint. Preferably with thermoplastic and coban.
Metacarpal fracture
- Radial gutter splint
- Ulnar gutter splint (Boxer splint)
- Functional metacarpal splint
Most injuries are 5th MC fractures and most doctors will request an ulnar gutter splint, but the resource below discusses better outcomes after using a functional metacarpal splint.
MP RCL/UCL repair
- Hand based Safe position splint with buddy strap
Fabricate a forearm or hand-based radial/ulnar gutter splint with the wrist in 15-20º of extension, MP joints in 45º of flexion and the IP joints free.
For the index and long fingers, use a radial gutter splint. For the ring and small fingers, use an ulnar gutter splint.
Buddy strap the affected digit to the adjacent digit at P1.
Nail bed repair
- Tip protector
P1 (PIP) fracture
- Hand based safe position splint
Fabricate an ulnar gutter (digit 4-5) or radial gutter splint (digit 2-3) with MCP joint at 90 degrees and PIP/DIP in full extension. Buddy strap as recommended by the MD.
Scaphoid fracture/repair
- Hand based thumb spica splint
Stroke (CVA) splinting
- Limited supportive evidence
Therapists in the past have used resting hand splints for stroke patients, but there is no current research supporting the effectiveness of this practice.
Swan neck deformity
TFCC Debridement/Repair
- Wrist cockup
For TFCC debridement a wrist cockup is usually worn for 1-2 weeks. TFCC repairs are usually casted for 6-8 weeks before applying a wrist cockup.
Trigger finger
- Buddy taping or MCP blocking splint
Studies have shown splinting can reduce pain. Night splinting can also be effective prior to surgery.
Thumb MP UCL repair
- Hand based thumb spica splint
Fabricate the splint to allow for IP flex/ext.
Radial nerve palsy (Wrist drop)
If you don’t have a dynamic extension splint, consider a wrist cockup as a temporary solution.
Wrist arthrodesis
- Wrist cockup or splinted in 0º of wrist extension
The patient is usually casted for 2 weeks. Avoid wrist motion of any kind.
Summary
There’s not always one splint the will fix all your problems. Sometimes you may need to assess the nature of the injury or consult with a physician to know what is most appropriate. If you’re new to splinting or looking to increase your splinting skills, definitely check out my book on splinting without patterns.
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David is the lead editor of OT Focus. He has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist since 2013. He specializes in acute care, hand therapy, and ergonomics.