Some therapists recommend splints and others do not.

Some therapists recommend splints and others do not.  There is conflicting evidence about  hand splints  Some therapists and research  say they reduce spasticity or contractures, but others say a splint doesn’t  do anything.  These are the links to  dueling articles—one says it works and one says it doesn’t:

• http://cre.sagepub.com/content/17/8/807.abstract
• http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20060302/stroke-big-gains-with-hand-splinting

There are two types of physiotherapy—

1. Bobath  developed by Gerda Bobath and
2. Functional – based on Carr and Shephard’s approach.

This website is takes a Bobath approach:
     http://www.physiotherapy-treatment.com/stroke-physical-therapy.html

I use an antispasticity ball splint which I  can order from  Sammons and Preston—now Patterson Medical. I had several splints custom made—but this one works for me.  That doesn’t mean it will work for you. Anti-Spasticity Ball Splint:

    http://www.pattersonmedical.com/app.aspx?cmd=searchResults&sk=Anti-Spasticity+Ball+Splint

Pre-formed from Polyform® splinting material, these splints position the wrist, abduct the fingers and thumb, and maintain the palmar arch in a reflex-inhibiting position. Roylan splints can be adapted easily and come complete with a strapping system for the fingers and thumb and two padded self-adhesive D-ring straps for the forearm. Straps included. Latex free.

Sizing Guidelines:

    To determine size, measure the width of the  pointer finger to the pinkie—fingers 2- 5 not counting the thumb.

They say it maintains hand and fingers in reflex-inhibiting position and wrist in neutral position to reduce spasticity. It is made if modifiable low-temperature thermoplastic – so I can adjust it slightly if I need to. Cost is $43.05

Survivors have  commented on the costs of AFO’s:

Why does an AFO foot brace made of a piece of hard plastic and a couple Velcro straps cost over 200 DOLLARS when the material cost is less than 10 doesn’t seem fair to me.

You can order these online- they are not custom made, but they are cheaper:

Lightweight orthosis promotes dorsiflexion. Provides slight medial and lateral support for unstable ankles and greater rigidity to resist mild extensor spasticity:  

http://www.pattersonmedical.com/app.aspx?cmd=get_product&id=96717

They also sell  a –Spring Loaded Goniometer Ankle Foot Orthosis™:

http://www.pattersonmedical.com/app.aspx?cmd=get_product&id=88881

I am interested to know if others have ordered these online.