Written by Megan Smith, PT
Braces and orthoses for the hand, wrist, or arm are typically used to help support and stabilize the arm, keeping the affected area from moving. This protects inflamed tendons and joints, and keeps broken or fractured bones from healing in the wrong position.
During activity when the hand is engaged with movement, or when the inflammation is under control, the user may use a dynamic hand splint that employs carefully placed outriggers serving as fulcrums, providing traction and prolonged stretching by the pull of slings and bands.
But night time is a unique situation. Traditional orthoses may be uncomfortable while sleeping, featuring hard materials or protruding edges that dig in and make it difficult to sleep. It’s unfortunately not as simple as just taking the brace off at night either, though. Symptoms can often become worse at night with the possibility of the hand and wrist bending, or being laid on while the user is sleeping.
The best solution to this is a resting orthosis, also known as a resting splint or night brace. These braces are used to support joints and their surrounding structures while the wearer is sleeping or not actively using their hands. A soft, plush fabric design provides maximum comfort and stability, while an easily adjustable aluminum or thermoplastic frame make up the backbone to most resting hand splints.
While many hand orthoses may offer various accessories or a particular and unique design for specific ailments, the main purpose of a resting splint is to provide the user safety and comfort while sleeping or when the hands are non-active. The following five resting hand orthoses are considered among the best in offering support and comfort for just about any type of hand orthosis need.
Coming in at number five in our rankings is the LYNX WHFO Hand Orthosis by Ortho Rehab Products. Designed as a static WHFO (wrist/hand/finger orthosis) device that’s used to help prevent contractures by immobilizing and positioning, this splint encompasses the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers with four softly padded diagonal straps. Color-coded hook and loop closures help to assure the proper application of the orthosis, so the optimum fit can be achieved.
The LYNX has an included pivotal thumb abductor with medial and lateral thumb supports to offer comfort and maximum immobilization. The soft, adjustable design provides great positioning and a custom fit while sleeping or resting to assist with a range of conditions affecting the wrist, hand, and/or fingers.
Unlike many resting hand orthoses that are malleable and can be quickly fitted by the user, the LYNX splint should be fitted by a trained medical professional. If alterations are needed during treatment, the user should return to the professional for additional, personalized fitting. The LYNX also comes in a choice of adult sizes ranging from extra small, small, medium, and large, as well as replacement covers in the same size choices.
The fourth pick in our rankings is the Dorsal Resting Hand Orthosis by Restorative Care of America. A dorsal splint is applied to the top side of the forearm, wrist, and hand which facilitates the open palmar area, making this a great solution for users who want to be able to have their palms free. It promotes enhanced sensory feedback and greater tone inhibition.
This brace is constructed with a thermoplastic frame and a breathable foam liner for extra comfort. The thermoplastic frame allows the user or a medical professional to mold the splint with low-heat temperature water or a heat gun to custom fit the frame to the user for the optimal tone reducing positions. If the splint needs to be refitted due to less inflammation during recovery, or is altered during sleeping, the frame can be reheated and remolded easily.
The ultra-soft and comfortable breathable foam liner will help draw moisture away from the skin, helping to prevent skin irritation, skin tears, and overall skin breakdown. It is available in a range of adult sizes from extra-small through extra-large, and is designed to assist a user experiencing hand spasticity, contractures, and pain associated with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or a stroke), spinal cord injuries, closed head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
The LMB Air-Soft Resting Hand Splint by DeRoyal has been awarded the number three position in our ranking. Designed to be a static progressive splint, the LMB air-soft is great at supporting the fingers, thumb, and wrist in a neutral resting position while sleeping or while resting the hands. With a frame constructed from firm, yet malleable, aluminum, this orthosis can be easily altered to provide a progressive static splint that will offer constant realignments and custom fitting for nighttime use.
The comfortable padded liner will wick away moisture from underneath the splint to help protect the skin from tears, irritation, and breakdown, keeping the hand cool and dry throughout the night. The orthosis is very lightweight, yet strong enough for daily use while sleeping or during inactivity. This combines to provide a splint that is comfortable to wear, but still provides excellent support and stability for the hand and wrist.
The LMB air-soft splint comes in a choice of sizes of small, medium, and large for an individual splint, or in a case of five.
The Procare Pil-O-Splint by Chattanooga Medical is awarded the number two position in our ranking due to its innovative design. Unlike the other splints included here, this orthosis is a full sleeve covering the forearm to the fingertips, and is padded especially to accommodate those users who like to sleep on their forearm at night.
The Pil-O-Splint offers maximum protection while also providing great comfort throughout sleep or resting. The unique construction includes a breathable foam interior with a soft, poly-flannel cover that offers softness and warmth, while promoting healthy circulation. Inside the cover are two rigid, plastic dorsal stays to help immobilize the forearm, wrist, hand, fingers, and thumb in a neutral position while the wearer is sleeping.
Soft, cotton lining runs along the entire splint, extending to the fingertips to provide extra comfort and to help prevent the fingers from moving while the user is sleeping. Included in the splint design is a tiny pillow that fits into the palm of the hand to provide the user with additional comfort and a more natural hand position.
This brace is size-adjustable, allowing the user the ability to create the perfect fit, and is a great solution for treating pain and discomfort due to a range of conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, forearm tendonitis, and other types of wrist and hand pain.
Our number one pick for the best resting hand orthosis is the Resting Hand Orthosis with Progressive Positioning by Comfy Splints. This progressive positioning splint is adjustable at all the joints to effectively and easily adapt to each user’s unique size and shape without using tools or a heat gun. The ultra-plush and removable fabric cover combined with the adjustable spine will guarantee a very comfortable and customized fit every time.
This splint features a progressive positioning spine designed to help lengthen the ligaments of the fingers while at rest, while simultaneously providing ultimate comfort and support with maximum wrist and thumb control. It offers gentle medial or lateral thumb support and separate thumb strapping to promote a natural C-shape formation to the hand.
The orthosis is secured with five very soft straps to provide accommodation and comfort to a user with sensitive and fragile skin, painful swollen joints, and edema fluctuations. Also included are side wings that help prevent ulnar and radial deviation and provide stable support, along with a removable finger support to best meet the unique needs of the user.
The ultra soft fabric cover has an antimicrobial barrier to help prevent skin degradation and reduce germs and infection. The cover is removable and machine washable for maximum hygienic cleanliness, and to reduce odor from perspiration.
The adjustable Comfy splint comes in a choice of a small adult size and a standard adult size, and is ideal for a user with sensitive skin issues. It provides comfort and support for conditions ranging from sore muscles and joints, sprains and strains, and arthritis to side effects of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Resting splints are designed to provide a better solution for sleeping while wearing a brace, helping users stay comfortable while still being properly supported. The Resting Hand Orthosis with Progressive Positioning by Comfy Splints earned the number one position in our rankings due to its easy tool-less adjustment, ultra-comfortable fabric cover, antimicrobial protection, and versatile positioning options.
For more information on resting hand splints or other braces and orthoses, come check out our full selection at Rehabmart.com. To read more helpful articles like this one, come visit Caregiver University, your source for all the best medical and caregiver-centric tips.
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
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