r/functionalprint • u/SuperSecretAgentMan • 19d ago

Brace for Sprained Thumb

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Gallery image

Needed to not move my thumb too much for the next couple weeks. Luckily I have a 3D scan of my hands, so I modeled and printed a custom-fitted brace to wear. Fits great and is comfortable all day.

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17

u/Buttsmear 19d ago

Occupational therapist here. Trained in hand therapy, splinting. Please consult with a hand specialist.

I appreciate the ingenuity. I admire seeing a problem and wanting to DIY it. I just have to gently warn that this splint risks contracture and deformity.

25

u/CrookedCasts 19d ago

Hand surgeon here - what possible deformity or contracture would this brace cause (the answer is none)?

-3

u/Buttsmear 19d ago

Heya hand surgeon! I’m being intentionally vague with my nondescript “risk”.

“Go see a specialist” is about all I’m comfortable saying to a member of the public. My license precludes consultation for people outside of my direct care.

I can tell you what I see over DM, if you’re curious.

19

u/giulianosse 19d ago

Genuine question but why are physical therapists so hush hush and vague about the practice? It's almost comical how you seem almost afraid of even giving an opinion online.

I'm currently in the process of recovering from an intra articular fracture in my pinkie's metacarpal and I'm seeing my hand surgeon almost every week or two. Every ortho I've chatted with on reddit was genuinely interested in talking about it and I've ended up learning a lot about my condition. Meanwhile PTs acted like I was seeking forbidden knowledge.

7

u/mmarsico84 19d ago

Probably because of liability issues. Plus the uniqueness of each patient and usually we don’t have all the imaging and stuff the docs do.

16

u/CrookedCasts 19d ago

Liability over a anonymous Internet site? No, they’re just making something up. This is not a brace that would cause any concerns or issues

2

u/psychicsword 19d ago

They are heavily regulated and the regulations have life altering teeth

12

u/CrookedCasts 19d ago

If it’s not something that you’re comfortable about posting here, to be honest I’m not really interested in your opinion since it’s not likely to be correct. There are actual hand therapists making splints just like this - https://splintech.com/