Fracture bracing of the lower extremity, which has been used successfully since the 1970s, has taught clinicians that protected early motion ans weight bearing stimulate strong bone formation. August Sarmiento, the primary proponent of fracture bracing, first developed successful strategies for fracture bracing of the lower extremity and later developed application for the upper extremity. The advantages of early motion in preventing disability and stimulating bone healing demonstrated decreased need for long periods of fracture immobilization. Simultaneously, developments in hand surgery and hand therapy led to shorter periods of immobilization, which supported the use of fracture bracing in selected stable upper extremity fractures...View Complete Chapter

Chapter 127: Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity, eds: Skirven, Osterman, Fedorczyk, and Amadio, 6th ed, p1620-1630, Elsevier Mosby, 2011

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED READING

Clinical Pearl No. 32 – Immobilizing the MP Joint in Extension?

Clinical Pearl No. 26 – Use of a Relative Motion Orthosis for Regaining PIP Joint Flexion or Extension

Clinical Pearl No. 23 – Little Finger Rotation after Distal Radius Fracture

Clinical Pearl No. 14 – How Long Should I Serial Cast a Finger?

Clinical Pearl No. 13 – Why I Dislike Ulnar/Radial Gutter Splints!!

Journal Article - Bone Injuries: Treatment & Rehabilitation, Hand Clinics – 1986