Treatment: Painful shoulders including bursitis, tendinitis, nondisplaced fractures, contusions in arm, and painful elbow

Comment: This is a classic, inexpensive, readily available device that can be made from almost any cloth fabric. It is inexpensive, versatile, and effective. Care should be taken not to keep patients in slings too long in order to avoid stiffness.

Treatment: Fractures of the humerus, status post shoulder dislocation

Comment: This is a more constrained device that prevents abduction and external rotation of the arm. Therefore, it protects dislocations and allows fractures to heal. It is reasonably comfortable. Care should be taken to permit good underarm hygiene. Avoid using it for prolonged periods of time to prevent stiff shoulders. The harness can be released for short periods in order to begin pendulum exercises.

Treatment: Postreduction shoulder dislocation, fractures of the humerus, postsurgical treatment of the humerus

Comment: A very effective immobilization of the shoulder and humerus. It keeps the humerus supported to the chest wall and prevents external rotation. Reasonably comfortable. Care for underarm hygiene.

Treatment: Rotator cuff tear, status post repair rotator cuff tear Comment: This is a very bulky and somewhat cumbersome splint that is effective in maintaining abduction of the shoulder. It can be used for acute support of the rotator cuff.

Treatment: Moderately displaced clavicle fractures, acromioclavicular joint separation

Comment: Readily available splinting that can be made of a variety of materials, including off-the-shelf foam padding or a padded stockinette. Available and reasonably effective in relieving symptoms.

Treatment: Tennis elbow, medial and lateral epicondylitis

Comment: This is a band that can be placed over the forearm for symptomatic relief of epicondylitis/tennis elbow. It should only be used during activity and offers relief of symptoms during activity. It should not be worn for prolonged periods of time.

Treatment: Minor sprains of the elbow or persistent swelling

Comment: Used for diffuse swelling about the elbow and strains or sprains of the elbow where patients need support to the elbow. Usable for rehabilitating a prior injury to the elbow.

Treatment: Carpal tunnel syndrome, synovitis, wrist sprain, active inflammatory arthritis of the wrist

Comment: This is a very simple splint that is readily available. It can be made from plaster or fiberglass casting. It can stabilize the wrist and base of the thumb to give symptomatic relief and support of injury or inflammation. Patients can remove the splint periodically for skin hygiene.

Treatment: Injuries to the base of the thumb, metacarpophalangeal arthritis, injuries to collateral ligaments of the thumb, synovitis

Comment: Simple, effective brace that is removable and gives excellent support to the base of the thumb. Useful for a variety of injuries and inflammation to the base of the thumb.

Treatment: Strains and sprains about the thumb, prevention of injuries to the thumb; used for athletes with a history of recent thumb injury or thumb instability

Comment: Very simple taping can be used for short-term protection of the base of the thumb.

Treatment: Finger sprains, status post dislocations

Comment: Two fingers can be taped against each other to offer support after severe sprains or dislocations of the fingers. The taping should be applied with the fingers flexed 30 to 45 degrees to prevent stiffness.