Sugar Tong Thumb Spica
There are some injuries that occur that affect the wrist and most of the arm. In cases like this, a sugar tong thumb spica may be the way to go. A sugar tong thumb spica helps shield the arm, but does not immobilize the arm by itself. A shoulder immobilizer or arm sling is required to keep the area immobilized. This type of splint limits flexibility of the elbow and forearm and is used after surgery to help keep the arm stable enough to heal. This article will describe the uses of a sugar tong thumb spica and how to use one.
The sugar tong thumb spica gets its name because it looks like a sugar tong which are used for handling sugar cubes. It helps shield the upper arm from further harm; however, a sugar tong thumb spica does not immobilize the joints. This is why a shoulder immobilizer or arm sling is required when a sugar tong thumb spica is used.
Because a shoulder immobilizer or arm sling is required, it is best to limit movement of the affected area. Even though the splint itself limits movement, it does not completely prevent it. Once an arm sling or shoulder immobilizer is put on, however, then the arm is immobilized to allow it to heal.
These types of splints may be commonly used after surgery. The reason is that after surgery, the area may need to be kept stable to allow tissue to regrow. A sugar tong thumb spica will help limit movement while the arm sling or shoulder immobilizer immobilizes the area. A sugar tong splint also allows swelling of the area, so less pain is felt by not suppressing the swelling.
Using a sugar tong thumb spica is helpful for injuries related to the forearm and/or upper arm as well as the wrist. It does not completely immobilize the area, so an arm sling or shoulder immobilizer is required for complete healing. It does not suppress swelling, so the arm can breath more than if a complete cast were used. Sugar tong thumb spicas may also be used in cases of other types of injuries such as de Quervain's tenosynovitis or injuries to the wrist from bowling or other sports that require using the wrist.