NHS Innovations North

Hand splint

The Problem

Decreased functionality in the hand effects people of all ages and conditions e.g. those suffering from stroke, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Current treatments involve an intensive programme of physiotherapy, focusing on the lengthening of soft tissues and the elongation of hand muscles.

This is currently achieved through the use of a ‘cone-shaped’ hand splint. The major limitation of this approach is that current devices do not allow the user to pick up objects whilst maintaining the therapeutic hand position. They also do not encourage the user to move the arm, which may improve function in the hand, the elbow, and the shoulder.

The Solution

When the hand is holding the cone, the muscles become elongated and correct soft tissue length and metacarpophalangeal joint alignment is achieved.

Benefits to the NHS

The idea from County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust was developed, protected and commercialised in response to an identified clinical need.

The product is now also available to other UK Trusts, as well as to the wider healthcare market, and so has the potential to benefit patient care and rehabilitation on a global scale. The Trust will also receive royalty payments as the result of a running licensing arrangement with their manufacturing partner.

The idea for a functional hand-splint was conceived by Louis Bell, a physiotherapist from County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust. It improves functionality in the hand and arm, by encouraging the user to perform manual tasks e.g. eating and painting, whilst retaining a therapeutic hand position.

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