Wrist Splints and Utensil Use

Blog:  Wrist splints and utensil use: The wrist is without a doubt an important link in the kinematic chain of the upper extremity. In this Blog we will discuss the role of the wrist generally during the important activity of self feeding.  We will also discuss specifically how a wrist splint impacts self feeding ability.  The wrist extensor muscles normally play an important role in stabilizing the wrist when the fingers are performing a grasp activity such as holding a utensil.  If the extensors are weak due to a radial nerve injury or other neurological condition a wrist splint may be beneficial to provide this support in the absence of wrist extensor strength. A wrist splint may also be tried with individuals with tremor activity to limit the degrees of freedom of the arm during the task of self feeding.

There are many types of wrist splints that are commercially available.  The splint pictured above is a nice option and is available from www.performancehealth.com.  An Occupational Therapist may also fabricate a custom wrist splint from low temperature plastic material. 

In addition to it’s stabilizing role the wrist normally performs small adjusting movements during the activity of obtaining food with a utensil and then bringing the food to the mouth.  The two most important movements that the wrist performs during eating occur during the scooping or stabbing phase when food is obtained on the utensil and during the final stage of the spoon to mouth movement.  In both of these phases the wrist performs a slight flexion movement. 

With a wrist splint on it will be necessary to compensate for the decreased wrist movement with movement from other joints.  In the case of scooping and stabbing the lack of wrist movement will be compensated for by shoulder internal rotation. In a research article published in the American journal of occupational therapy the researchers found that increased shoulder flexion and abduction occured with self feeding while wearing a wrist splint.  In the case of bringing the utensil close to the mouth the lack of wrist movement will be compensated for by increased elbow flexion. If either of these compensatory movements are problematic an angled spoon may be an option.  

Unless the individual using a wrist splint also has issues with these joints the activity should be performed without difficulty and without the need for adaptive utensils. Thanks for visiting and check back soon for topics related to the important self care activity of independent dining that will be of interest to therapists, patients and caregivers. If you are a student physical or occupational therapist or have an interest in Kinesiology I strongly recommend the book listed as a reference below: It is available at Amazon. Thanks for visiting today and we invite you to contact us at anytime.

References: Sieg and Adams: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Anatomy May-Lisowski, T. King, P. “Effect of wearing a static wrist orthosis on shoulder movement” American Journal of Occupational Therapy 2008, vol. 62 (4) 438-445.