Making splints is a large part of our job as hand therapists and we can make all kinds of them to suit different injuries. We make our splints from a material called thermoplastic. It is a type of polymer that becomes soft and moldable when heated, then solidifies upon cooling, allowing it to be reshaped and used multiple times. This is the process of how we make our splints. The plastic is heated in warm water and your expert therapist is then able to shape it around your hand. Unfortunately, there are always off-cut pieces of plastic from this process. However, we try not to let all these scraps go to waste!
We are all aware of the ever-increasing need to reduce, reuse and recycle in our everyday lives. In the clinic, we recycle our plastic scraps into thermoplastic handles. We can then use these handles as an exercise tool with theraband tied through them.
This is how we do it.
Take stock of all the plastic scraps that we keep in a separate container in the clinic and organise them into groups to make some fun colour combinations
Heat up the plastic in the water and stick the scraps together to make a rectangle
Roll the rectangle while it’s still hot
Fold the roll in half and twist it into a handle
In these photos, you can see how we use these handles for exercises. A piece of theraband has been tied through the handle’s loop to use as resistance for a punching exercise.
This is one way we’re trying to do our part for the environment. We encourage you to have a think about some creative ways you could recycle at home too.
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