As you know, wearing a brace is an important part of a deQuervain’s treatment program.
But, if you’ve spent even a second trying to find a brace that your patient will wear AND that meets the design requirements needed for deQuervain’s, then you know the frustration!
So what is a clinician to do?!
Well, lean in closer as I introduce my new favorite friend: The Hely & Weber deQ Thumb Orthosis.
Who Am I?
Before I even start to give my two cents on the Hely & Weber deQ Thumb Orthosis, let me make sure you know that I actually have street cred in the world of orthopedic upper extremity injuries: I am an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist practicing for 20+ years treating orthopedic injuries of the hands to the shoulders. I have worked in the private and hospital settings including a level 1 trauma hospital (treating the gravest of injuries).
Now with that aside, let’s dive into what makes the deQ Thumb Orthosis my go to brace!
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- It meets the requirements.
First, its design meets the requirements for an effective thumb spica (or a DeQuervain’s brace): it has a thumb component, it extends from the proximal phalanx of the thumb to the distal one-third of the forearm (it being forearm-based is very important!) and it limits thumb and wrist movement.
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- The stay does not put pressure on the first dorsal compartment.
I have always found it so strange that many prefabricated DeQuervain’s braces on the market are designed in a way where the stay (or metal piece) puts direct pressure on the tender and sensitive first dorsal compartment.
And if not the stay, then another part of the brace.
Sometimes even the strap/straps are placing uncomfortable pressure!
So when I tried the deQ Thumb Orthosis and saw that it does not have these problems, I thought “FINALLY!”
The stays of the deQ Thumb Orthosis surrounds the painful area instead of putting direct pressure on it.
Additionally (and even more ingenious!), how the stays are placed help to prevent the straps from placing direct pressure on the tender spot-a problem I see in many other braces.
As a clinician, we know how important the comfort of the brace is for patients to be compliant with wear.
With the deQ Thumb Orthosis, comfort is a priority!
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- It is made of neoprene.
How many times have your patients complained about the “stiffness” of the brace or the brace being “too bulky”? Maybe you’ve even had patients say they feel “claustrophobic” in the brace?
Unlike the usual deQuervain’s brace, the deQ Thumb Orthosis is made of neoprene material. This allows the brace to be soft, light and low-profile-further improving comfort and allowing the brace to be less obvious (a plus for the patient!).
The neoprene also allows for more “wiggle” in the injured hand (compared to a harder or fabricated brace) while still restricting motion where it is needed. This decreases feelings of claustrophobia in the patient.
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- It can be worn on either hand.
The deQ is designed so that it can be worn on either hand.
This is important when trying to run your clinic in a cost effective manner, especially in the area of purchasing equipment.
The deQ Thumb Orthosis allows you to purchase JUST ONE STYLE instead of having to stock up on both left and right braces.
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- One last thing…
One last thing I’d like to mention about this brace: it was designed with the help of Dr. Roy Meals, a very respected, intelligent and experienced hand surgeon.
He is basically a rock star when it comes to orthopedic upper extremity injuries.
Because of that you can have faith that this brace was designed with all the nuances of DeQuervain’s kept in mind.
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Therefore…
I am truly excited that the Hely & Weber deQ Thumb Orthosis is an option for myself and my DeQuervain’s patients.
It is honestly a relief too.
In the past I have had to (exhaustingly!) search for a brace that checks all the above only for it to be uncomfortable for the patient or that the patient has to settle for.
So before you give your patient a brace to just settle for, try the deQ Thumb Orthosis!
Its smart design will improve patient compliance and prognosis AND will make treating deQuervain’s THAT MUCH EASIER FOR YOU!
Paid partnership with Hely & Weber
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