Inventors:
John E. Grasinger - Williamsburg VA
International Classification:
A61F 504
Abstract:
A finger splint is provided for immobilizing a fracture of a finger's middle or proximal phalanx. A hinged splint body cradles a finger with a fractured phalanx. A hinging portion of the splint body is positioned beneath an interphalangeal joint located immediately adjacent and distal to the fractured phalanx. A fulcrum is placed between the splint body and the finger and is positioned directly beneath the fractured phalanx's line of fracture. Means are provided for securing the splint body and fulcrum in place such that the splint body is free to move about the hinged portion thereof in correspondence with a portion of the finger located distally with respect to the fractured phalanx. In this way, the fulcrum exerts an upward reduction force on the fractured phalanx at the fracture line. Furthermore, the finger splint simultaneously allows motion by adjacent joints both distal and proximal to the fracture to encourage a dynamic reduction of the fracture.