A hand fracture can interfere with your daily performance or make everyday life difficult and uncomfortable. This is when choosing the right support comes in as a vital point for quicker and more effective recovery. A hand fracture belt and a cast are commonly known as orthopedic supports for hand fractures.
Both of them help to keep the injured hand stable and promote bone healing. However, they differ in comfort, flexibility, and recovery outcomes. A hand fracture belt has adjustable straps for customized and comfortable support, and it can be removed for cleaning or when doing light exercises.
In contrast, a cast is designed to offer advanced stability or extreme support that is suitable for severe fractures. Always seek your healthcare provider's advice to know the severity of your fracture and the right support it needs. This also helps to achieve a safe, quicker, and effective recovery.
Let’s explore a hand fracture belt and cast and also which one is better for recovery.
How long do I need to wear a hand fracture belt?
The timeline or duration of wearing a hand fracture belt is based on your doctor's examination. It mainly depends on the severity of your fracture and your progress. Here’s a general guide on how long you can wear it:
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Minor or mild fractures: 2 to 4 weeks when you're using the hand fracture belt regularly.
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Moderate fractures: 4-6 weeks for fractures like metacarpal or phalangeal.
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Severe/displaced fractures: 6–8 weeks and may stretch to several months.
How do I properly wear a hand fracture belt or brace?
When dealing with a hand fracture, the recovery progress can be positively or negatively influenced by the way you wear a hand fracture belt or brace.
Here's how you can wear it:
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Detach the straps: Make sure all the straps are completely undone before wearing the brace.
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Gently slide your hand: Carefully place the fractured hand into the opening of the brace. Position your hand such that the palm aligns with the contoured part of the brace.
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Align your hand and thumb: Position your hand properly and make sure that your thumb fits in the thumb hole safely.
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Secure the straps: Fasten the Velcro straps, starting with the one that goes across your hand or wrist. Make sure it's snug enough to provide support but not so tight that it causes pain or discoloration.
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Check for comfort and movement: Wiggle your fingers to just make sure they have a good range of motion and are not restricted. The brace should feel firmly supportive yet not painful.
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Spot Warning Signs: Look out for skin discoloration, as it could indicate the brace is too tight. Reach out to your doctor to stay safe.
Important considerations when wearing a hand fracture belt or brace:
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Follow your doctor's advice: Just make sure to follow your doctor's guidance or advice to maximize healing, maintain proper alignment, and support a faster, safer recovery.
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Avoid tightening: It is a common mistake to make the straps too tight, which can be uncomfortable and restrict circulation. Make sure to adjust for a snug, not tight or loose.
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Ensure free finger movement: Leave a small space when wearing the belt to enable free finger flexibility. This helps with healing and prevents stiffness.
Can I remove the hand fracture belt while sleeping or showering?
It generally depends on what your doctor says by looking at your medical condition. However, there are different types of immobilization, and the instructions vary depending on your specific injury and the device you are wearing.
Here are general factors that you should take into consideration. Also, it may determine whether you can wear the hand fracture belt while sleeping or showering or not.
Sleeping with a hand fracture belt
During the initial healing period, keep the immobilization on while sleeping to ensure stability as well as proper recovery. Elevate your hand with pillows above your heart to reduce swelling and discomfort. Children may need to wear the hand fracture belt, but always consult a doctor, as a safe sleeping posture can be quite challenging.
Adults may not need it, though elderly patients can keep it on. For mild fractures or later healing stages, a doctor may allow removing the splint for rest or lighter activities, while severe fractures may still require wearing it overnight.
Showering with a hand fracture belt
You can remove the belt when taking a shower. This protects it from being drenched in water and also helps your hand muscles to rest. However, in severe conditions, you may be advised not to remove it when showering. This decision should always be made by your healthcare provider.
Will the hand fracture belt restrict my finger movement or cause stiffness?
A hand fracture splint doesn’t really restrict finger movement or cause stiffness when it is a proper fit and when used properly. Wearing it often might lead to finger stiffness, and you can feel restriction while moving your hand when used for a prolonged duration.
Here are possible reasons why a hand fracture belt causes stiffness:
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Immobilization: A fracture belt provides mobility, which is essential for recovery. This mobility can limit frequent hand movement, thereby causing stiffness. A stiffness sensation often develops when wearing the belt for extended periods during the day.
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Swelling: A fracture naturally triggers swelling, or edema. This can restrict movement and increase the risk of stiffness. It is important to keep your hand elevated to reduce swelling.
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Scar tissue: If scar tissue forms during healing, it can restrict the movement of tendons, ligaments, and joints, causing stiffness.
Here’s how to prevent finger stiffness
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Early, gentle exercises: You can gently do light hand motion exercises when wearing a hand fracture belt. This is crucial for maintaining mobility and preventing long-term stiffness.
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Check for a snug fit: Consider wearing a hand fracture belt from brands like Leeford Ortho. Leave a space where your finger fits to maintain proper blood flow. This also helps to minimize the chances of causing stiffness.
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Follow-up therapy: Regularly go for check-ups to know the changes in your recovery progress and to know the timeline or duration of wearing the orthopedic hand fracture belt. This helps to prevent stiffness in the hand and surrounding muscles.
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Heat and cold compression: Carefully compress a heat pack for 2 to three times a day, as it helps in increasing tissue flexibility. Switch to ice packs when you start to experience stiffness relief. This can help to reduce pain and swelling during the healing process.
Consult your doctor if the stiffness is worsening or not improving with rest or heat and cold therapy.
When can I stop using the hand fracture belt and start physical therapy?
Consult your healthcare provider for a proper examination to determine when you can stop using your hand fracture belt and start physical therapy. The results are often based on various factors that include:
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Severity of fracture: The recovery timeline depends on whether the fracture was mild, required surgery, or was displaced.
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Progress in Healing: Generally, most fractures take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal. However, follow-up X-rays are necessary to confirm proper healing before starting therapy.
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Type of treatment: Using a hand fracture support belt often helps to promote quicker healing. Consider a wrist & hand fracture belt from brands like Leeford Ortho, which are designed with features that promote comfortable and effective healing. Your hand fracture may take several weeks or extend for months to heal after surgery.
What to expect when starting physical therapy?
After removing the belt or cast, you may experience some initial stiffness and weakness. The good news is that consulting a physical therapist helps to develop a personalized plan that helps you return to using your hands comfortably in daily life.
Benefits of physical therapy include:
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Restoring range of motion: Doing exercises like wrist rotations and finger extensions helps to reduce stiffness.
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Improving strength: Doing strengthening exercises, such as squeezing a stress ball, helps to enhance natural strength. This will help rebuild your grip.
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Reducing swelling: Your therapist may use techniques to help manage any residual swelling.
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Improving dexterity: Thoracic activities can help to improve or enhance your hand performance. It helps to promote performance in high-impact or strength-demanding tasks.
Final Thought
Hand fracture belts and casts are designed to stabilize the injured hand and promote effective bone recovery. It is crucial to know that the right choice depends on the severity of the fracture, its healing progress, and your activity level. A cast offers rigid yet full-time mobility and is ideal for serious fractures that require complete restriction of movement.
On the other hand, a hand fracture belt provides customized, adjustable support, making it suitable for minor to moderate fractures and gentle support. Above all, seek advice from a healthcare provider to determine the type of your fracture, its severity, and the proper type of hand support you can use. Also, consider an orthopedic arm sling from brands like Leeford Ortho. They help to achieve safe, proper, and effective hand fracture recovery.
