Which splint design helps keep the palm free for sensation while allowing dorsal attachment devices?

• A. Cock-up resting splint
• B. Dorsal wrist splint
• C. Airplane splint
• D. Wrist driven tenodesis orthosis

Answer: (B)

Focusing on how a splint is placed relative to the hand’s surfaces helps you preserve sensation while still providing stabilization. A dorsal wrist splint is applied on the back of the wrist and hand, which immobilizes the wrist from the posterior side but leaves the palm exposed. That palm exposure is crucial for maintaining sensory feedback, palpation, and any sensory testing you need to perform. It also allows devices that are attached on the dorsal side—such as dorsal attachments or hardware—to be used without being blocked by splint material on the palm.

Other designs tend to cover or encroach on the palm, which can blunt sensation or interfere with tactile exploration and testing. By keeping the palm free and supporting the wrist from the back, the dorsal wrist splint achieves both stability and preserved sensory access, making it the best choice for scenarios requiring dorsal attachments while maintaining palm sensation.