Medical Thumb Splints: Braces for Broken Thumbs & Immobilization

The best splint for a broken thumb is typically a rigid thumb spica. Because the thumb is involved in nearly every hand movement, a spica brace immobilizes both the thumb joints (CMC and MCP) and the wrist. This prevents accidental movement that could displace the fracture during the 4–6 week healing window.

In many cases of stable fractures or severe sprains, a doctor may recommend a wrist and thumb brace instead of a traditional plaster cast. These "removable casts" allow for better hygiene and skin care while providing equivalent levels of stabilization through the use of internal metal or plastic stays.

To immobilize the thumb effectively, the brace should be snug enough that you cannot move the thumb joint, but not so tight that your thumb feels cold, numb, or turns blue. Most medical-grade splints use hook-and-loop (Velcro) straps to allow for adjustment as swelling goes down in the days following an injury.

Yes. An arthritis brace is often low-profile and flexible to allow for "functional" use of the hand. A brace for a broken thumb must be rigid and usually includes a wrist component (spica) to ensure the bone remains completely stationary.