Wearing and Taking Care of your Child’s Splint

 

Your child has been given a custom made or fitted splint. The type of splint given and when it is to be worn depends on your child’s needs. Some children wear their splint only when they are awake and active. Others may wear a splint only at night. A splint can be soft and flexible or hard and rigid.

When should my child wear the splint (follow the direction that is checked):

  • Always wear the splint.
  • Wear the splint all the time, remove ONLY for exercises provided by your therapist
  • Wear the splint at night, while sleeping
  • Wear the splint during the day
  • During the day, your child should wear the splint for …….. minutes/hours in a row, and then leave it off for…… minutes/hour. Repeat this all day until your child goes to bed.  Do not wear the splint at night.
    More instructions: ……………………………………………………………………

How do I clean my child’s splint (follow the direction that is checked):

  • Do not remove your child’s splint to clean it.  Use a damp cloth to wipe your child’s skin and the outside of the splint if needed.   Clean your child’s splint with soap and cool or warm water (do not use hot water); scrub with a small brush.  Dry with a towel or allow to air dry (away from direct sunlight).
  • Do not put your child’s splint in the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer.
  • You may rub the inside with hand sanitizer to decrease any odor.
  • Velcro straps and Splint liners can be hand washed and air dried.

Taking care of your child’s splint:

  • Do not leave your child’s splint near any heat source (car dashboard, direct sunlight for a long period of time, stove, heater, hot water etc.).  If exposed to heat, your child’s splint may become soft and lose its shape.
  • Keep your child’s splint out of reach of pets.  

Things to watch for:

  • Check your child’s skin every day for any red areas, blisters or indications of irritation.
  • Contact your child’s therapist immediately if you notice any of the following:
    • Areas of redness that do not go away after 20-30 minutes
    • Increased swelling that does not go away with elevation
    • Color change in the body part wearing the splint
    • You are having increasing difficulty applying the splint
    • New signs of discomfort (pain, losing feeling) present related to splint use  

Please remember to bring your child’s splint with you to all therapy sessions.

If you have any questions or difficulties with the splint, please do not hesitate to call your therapist.

Therapist: ………………………………….....……. Date: ………………………….. Phone: 4003 3333