Attaching Interface Mold to Splint Surface
November 2009 No. 7
Attaching Interface Mold to Splint Surface
by Judy Colditz OT/L, CHT, FAOTA & Karol Young, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Often the ideal way to provide total contact and positive pressure to an immature scar is to place an interface mold between the splinting material and the skin surface. The interface mold is usually made of silicone which hardens to a firm shape following the addition of a catalyst. The smooth surface of the splint does not allow the smooth silicone to adhere and keeping the inter - face mold in place can be difficult. Glue is not effective with these slick surfaces.
A simple solution to this problem is:
1. Mold the splint base to fit the patient contour.
2. Punch holes in the area of the splint which lies over the area of the interface mold.
Holes are punched in molded splint base.
3. Mix the catalyst with the interface mold material; apply to the skin surface and immediately apply the splint.
4. Gently but firmly press the molded splint down until the silicone material "oozes" out of the holes and there is total contact of skin, interface mold, and splint surface.
5. Pinch off and discard excess material that has flowed out of the hole. Leave a small molded mound larger than the hole on the exterior of the material.
6. The interface material can be easily torn out of the holes and replaced with a new one if the changes of the skin surface require a new mold.
Interface mold material is placed between the skin and splint and then allowed to "ooze" out of the holes.
Additional Suggested Reading
Clinical Pearl No. 30 - Should all Orthoses be 2/3 the Length of the Forearm?
Clinical Pearl No. 14 – How Long Should I Serial Cast a Finger?
Clinical Pearl No. 13 – Why I Dislike Ulnar/Radial Gutter Splints!!
Clinical Pearl No. 12 – Why I Avoid Passive Flexion of the DIP Joint
Clinical Pearl No. 5 – “Splint” Suggestion for the Hypermobile Wrist
Clinical Pearl No. 4 – Leather, The Forgotten Strapping Material
Clinical Pearl No. 3 – Making the Most of Mallet Finger Splinting
Download Clinical Pearl No. 7, Attaching Interface Mold to Splint Surface, November 2009
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Disclaimer: BraceLab Clinical Pearls are intended to be an informal sharing of practical clinical ideas; not formal evidence-based conclusions of fact.