RADIAL NERVE PALSY SPLINT
USING THE
PHOENIX EXTENDED OUTRIGGER PATENTED

The PHOENIX EXTENDED OUTRIGGER package includes wire support, five 3" pre-tied finger slings, 5/64 hex wrench; four slotted pulleys; one rubber band post (thumb nut). Additional splint supplies needed, but not included are: strap material; low-temperature thermoplastic; thumb nuts or rivets.

 

1. Fabricate a forearm low-temperature thermoplastic splint.

 

  

 

2. To mark outrigger location, the most distal (curved) point of the transverse wire rests over the mid portion of the proximal phalanx of the middle finger. The base is then marked on the thermoplastic base.
     

3. The outrigger is attached using thumb nuts or by bonding a layer of thermoplastic over the wire base.

 

4. Straps are added to the splint.

 
     

5. Nylon lines of the finger slings are threaded through each wheel.

 

  

6. Monofilament or dental floss lines attach nylon pre-tied slings to the base thumb nut. (HINT: fold the nylon line at its thickest point to center and hold the attached line.

7. The hex wrench is used to release the set screw of each pulley. The pulley is adjusted to achieve the desired angle of pull. Both proximal-distal and radial-ulnar adjustment are possible.
 

8. Static lines tie finger slings to the base thumb nut. The length of each static line is adjusted to suspend each finger in correct balance. With active finger flexion, a full fist is achieved and the wrist is passively lifted in extension by tenodesis effect. With relaxation of the finger flexors, the fingers are suspended in full passive extension when the wrist approaches neutral. *

* See Colditz, J.C., OTR/CHT: Splinting for Radial Nerve Palsy. J. Hand Therapy, Vol. 1/No. 1, pp. 18-23, 1987.