Wrist-Hand Orthosis (WHO): Supporting Hand and Wrist Rehabilitation

A wrist-hand orthosis (wrist splint) is an orthotic device used to immobilize and support the wrist, helping reduce pain and promote recovery after injury or surgery. Lê Hoàn Prosthetics & Orthotics fabricates and custom-fits each device to the individual patient's hand.

The device offers several benefits: it immobilizes the hand to limit unnecessary movement that could disrupt treatment and recovery; it reduces pain by lowering pressure on the wrist; it supports healing of injured tissue and ligaments; and it helps prevent wrist injuries, particularly during sports or work that demands repetitive wrist movement. Wrist orthoses are also used to help manage conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis-related pain.

One specific application is hand rehabilitation after radial nerve injury, when the wrist and finger extensor muscles lose the ability to control extension — the orthosis allows the patient to function and gradually regain daily activities. An elbow brace with an adjustable hydraulic piston for active extension can also treat elbow flexion contractures, applying continuous extending force day and night to help restore range of motion.

A real case: a 37-year-old male patient (Yên Bái) suffered a contracture of the right arm after an elbow injury; despite three months of rehabilitation exercises, the arm still could not extend due to shortened, contracted muscle. Since each session lasted only 30–60 minutes and caused pain from sudden high force applied over a short time, progress was very limited. After switching to an open-joint arm brace with an adjustable hydraulic piston, the patient could control the extension force to match his own pain tolerance, wearing it continuously for 6–8 hours a day including overnight; the gentle but sustained force proved far more effective than exercise alone. Because the brace is molded directly from the patient's own arm, it fits precisely and minimizes discomfort.

For advice on wrist-hand orthoses or other upper-limb devices, contact Lê Hoàn Prosthetics & Orthotics at hotline 0985211888.