Sylvain CELERIER is a member of the French Society of Hand Therapists (GEMMSOR) working since January 2001 on the multi-disciplinary team at the European Hand Institute of Nancy - France ; PT registered, splintmaker, hand specialist in custom-made splints for hand injuries (traumatic, rheumatoïd, rheumatic...).

The role of this site is to show all of the different splints and how they are used in our clinic.

You can find many explanations such as :
- patient information
- help with splint prescriptions
- french legislation
- publications and bibliography
- national and international events
- slide presentation
- personal pictures...

A splint is a therapeutic agent like a medecine, which belongs to the rehabilitation and readaptation physical treatments category.
Preferably, the splints are custom-made for each patients, depending on personal and professionnel profiles.
It's a treatment for one or many lesions. Knowledge of the anatomy will allow appropriate treatment.
It's important to respect clinical signs like pain, inflammation or fragile skin.
It must respect many pathological rules, according to the objectives of the splint : pain reduction, joint stabilisation, tendon sutures protection, prevention of deformities, prevention of edema, immobilisation, correction, deficient moteur aid, motion range recuperation, compression, posture...

It's important to distinguish between static and dynamic splints.
Static splints are the base of dynamic splints which are made by adding a motor.
We use some compressive splints such as the finger splint and gloves.

Presentation (2009)

XLVth Meeting of the French Society for Hand Surgery (GEM SFCM)
and Meeting of the French Society For Hand Therapists (GEMMSOR)

Rheumatoïd arthritis : medical, social and organisational aspects of treatment (excluding surgery and drugs)
Treatment for the hand and the wrist

CELERIER Sylvain (Nancy) ANDRE-VERT Joelle (Saint Denis La Plaine) GUILLEZ Pascal (Berck-Sur-Mer) MAYOUX-BENHAMOU Marie Anne (Paris)

Dec 18, 2009 - Paris (France)

"Dynamic and aerobic physical activities are recommended (grade B). Therapeutic patient education is recommanded (Grade B).
Splints for the hand and the wrist :
The wearing of splints is recommended for analgesic, functional or corrective purposes after clinical assessment for the following inidcations :
- temporary immobilisation of very inflamed joints (during rest periods)
- stabilisation of destroyed joints (during activities)
- correction of deformities that can be reduced.
Customized splints are generaly better adapted than off-the-shelf splints (profesionel agreement).
Rest splints should be prescribed for the flare-ups involving local inflammation of the hands (Grade C).
Functional splints should be prescribed to facilitate the conduct of daily activities (Professional agreement).
Corrective splints should be prescribed to correct deformities that may be reduced (Pofessional agreement).
Specific programs for joint protection :
Every patient with RA should benefit from an educational program on joint protection that is adapted to the disease, patient and environment (Grade B).
Therapeutic exercises for the hands :
every patient whose hands are affected by rheumatism should do regular exercises for the hands (Grade C). The exercises are taught by a health professional and then carried out by the patients on their own (Professional agreement).
Physical agents for the hands :
Physical agents should not be used on their own. They may be used as an adjuvant to physiotherapy or to symptomatic treatment with analgesics after assessment with the patient of the 'excepted benefits versus constraints' ratio (Professional agreement). "


Rheumatoïd arthritis : medical, social and organisational aspects of treatments - Guidlines
Haute Autorité de Santé - Paris (France), March 2007
www.has-sante.fr/portail/jcms/c_533480/