The patient should be seated in a comfortable position with the affected extremity supported. The hand should be held in the “safe hand” position (see Fig. 5.​6). The thumb is not placed in anatomic position or abducted in the “hitch hiker” position. The patient can be instructed to hold the hand as if holding a “favorite cold beverage” to demonstrate the safe hand position. The splint can be applied using stockinette, then cast padding, then tape. A splint material that has everything integrated is also available. This is the author’s preferred method. The splint material is first placed in water. (If the water is hot, the casting tape will set up prematurely. If the water is cold, the casting tape may take up to 45 min to set.) The splint is folded around the distal part of the thumb. The MP joint is immobilized. The elastic bandage is overlapped by approximately one-half width and a very slight amount of tension is placed on the ace wrap. If too much tension is placed on the ace wrap, it will constrict the hand and the patient will complain of pain. The splint ends should cover approximately three-quarters of the forearm, and the excess casting padding should be folded back. The elastic bandage is wrapped until the splint is completely covered and the patient is held in a position of function until the material hardens (see Fig. 15.2). Proper instruction for care should be given to the patient. This splint may be removed when treating DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis or it may be kept in place until the patient has a follow-up. The splinting material should not be allowed to become wet and should be covered in plastic when bathing. Splints function well for 7–14 days and are not designed to be used for prolonged therapy. Depending upon the patient’s diagnoses, the splint may be replaced as many times as necessary at follow-up office visits.