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Contraction Prevention


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#1 stillgotswag

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Posted 19 June 2010 - 10:28 AM

My fingers are in about a half fist... maybe a little more. I used to wear splints to bed to keep from curling my fingers on my chest etc...until I started sharing my bed. (apparently people dont like getting hit with them ;) Ive tried rolled up wash clothes...just curious to hear what you quads do, at night, to keep those fingers right.
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#2 qbounce

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Posted 19 June 2010 - 04:49 PM

My left hand is the one that needs stretching out. I put it under my head pillow at night, or apply pressure on it with my right elbow for a limited time.
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#3 Tetracyclone

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Posted 19 June 2010 - 06:14 PM

I rarely worry about them at night but stretch them many times during the day.
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#4 tyvin

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Posted 29 June 2010 - 03:41 AM

If you were using the splints before and they were working you should go back to it.

A rolled up wash cloth isn't going to be as good as a splint as you obviously know.

Be careful; as the contractions can get very bad very fast and then once the hand closes you got all kinds of trouble (you're halfway there already so you definitely need to wear something).

Do a search and find some partner friendly splints as it sounds like you might have large older style ones. They do amazing things with velcro these days.

I'm sure "people" can work on accepting the splint for your sake.

#5 Squelen

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Posted 02 September 2011 - 02:43 PM

View Posttyvin, on 29 June 2010 - 03:41 AM, said:

If you were using the splints before and they were working you should go back to it.

A rolled up wash cloth isn't going to be as good as a splint as you obviously know.

Be careful; as the contractions can get very bad very fast and then once the hand closes you got all kinds of trouble (you're halfway there already so you definitely need to wear something).

Do a search and find some partner friendly splints as it sounds like you might have large older style ones. They do amazing things with velcro these days.

I'm sure "people" can work on accepting the splint for your sake.
As a C5/4 I've found that my fingers have started to curl up, particularly on my left hand. Though not at fist level yet but I definitely want to make sure it doesn't get any worse!, You say do a search to find some splints – I don't suppose you could recommend anywhere specific to look for these? I've done a Google search but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Short of asking my spinal unit OT's to make me one, which could be real tricky, I'm not really sure where else to look. Any ideas? :crash:
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#6 mellowgator

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Posted 02 September 2011 - 03:00 PM

i use this splint.


http://www.dme-direc...-wrist-support/



it's for carpel tunnel but it prevents me from having pain from my hands curling in a ball all night. i'm able to use it during the day and can even push my w-c while wearing it.
hi fellow gimps! i'm a c 6/7 quad and have been injured since 1986. i was in a roll over hydroplane accident and it took hours for the paramedics to get me out of the car in the pouring rain. that definately wasn't my day. but alas life goes on!

#7 Edinburgh Colin

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Posted 02 September 2011 - 03:10 PM

I'm not a quad, but in the hospital they used to use neoprene fingers, I think they were either NHS procured at great expense or may actually have been cut from old wet suit diving gloves.

The guys and girls used to wear then during the day and also at night I think to try and keep their fingers straight.





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#8 mellowgator

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Posted 02 September 2011 - 03:31 PM

View PostEdinburgh Colin, on 02 September 2011 - 03:10 PM, said:

I'm not a quad, but in the hospital they used to use neoprene fingers, I think they were either NHS procured at great expense or may actually have been cut from old wet suit diving gloves.

The guys and girls used to wear then during the day and also at night I think to try and keep their fingers straight.


good idea.
hi fellow gimps! i'm a c 6/7 quad and have been injured since 1986. i was in a roll over hydroplane accident and it took hours for the paramedics to get me out of the car in the pouring rain. that definately wasn't my day. but alas life goes on!

#9 AlaskaOne

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Posted 02 September 2011 - 10:03 PM

I'm a quad and they told me not to straiten my fingers so I could use the natural curl for tenodesis. My left hand has curled up more than the right, but I can pick up a piece of paper with my right hand. Should I be trying to straiten my left fingers do ya think?

#10 Taylor818

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Posted 20 September 2011 - 04:13 AM

During rehab, my OT constantly stressed the importance of maintaining tenodesis and not stretching out my fingers, but after a few months I noticed my fingers curling in more and more and they became painful to straighten out. Now I sleep with splints every night and they are amazing for me, my fingers are very loose in the morning but I'm still able to pick things up and manage pretty well. Hand massages and soaking them in warm water have also helped keep my hands from getting too tight and uncomfortable.




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