Hely & Weber Santa Barbara Thumb Splint

I have osteoarthritis of the STT joint (base of the thumb, near the wrist), and my doctor told me to immobilize the joint. He had given me a much larger split that covered most of my forearm. I thought this one would be great, because it's much smaller, but it really does not reach far enough to immobilize the STT area. Instead, I bought another Hely and Weber split that covers more of the wrist. The thumb splint seems well enough made, but be sure it covers the area you need immobilized.

Just like the one I got from the Dr. Works well to keep my post surgical thumb from getting hurt.

Velcro gives way after about six weeks of heavy use but still good product

Over the past several years I have bough 4 of these thumb splints as I have basal thumb arthristis. The first one I simply wore out. Then I got a second one. By the time that one got somewhat worn, both my thumbs were apt to give me pain, I decided to order a pair of new ones and keep the older one for around the house, as it was looking a bit ratty.For my arthritic condition, I wear breaces during the day whenever I have a painful flare and more often at night to support my wrist joints. That way I am less likely to experience severe pain the following day because of an awkward sleeping position . With OTC medication and judicious splint wearing, I usually can enjoy sewing which requires me to us fine motor movements with my thumbs. All in all, the products have served me well and I am quite pleased with the relief the splints have provided for me over the years.However, I am greatly disappointed with the deteriorating quality of this Hely Weber product at the tip of the thumb. All three tips have a small waterproof rectangle of material over the exterior of the tip seam and there appears to be a glue or rubberized material under it to hold the seam together. On the oldest splint, I can see, from the underside, the seam of the thumb which has a ridge down it, as if it were heat sealed or possibly stitched. I can more readily FEEL stitches, rather than SEE them.The newest two splints, bought at the same time a year or so later, are another case. The thumb tips look to be constructed similarly but the rubberized material seems just to have been glued in place and as a result, had a tendency to stretch. One of the rubberized thumbs actually split open which made using the external strap mandatory to keep the brace on my thumb. The second one is stretched and beginning to tear. Keep in mind the older and most heavily used of my three splints shows very little sign of separation at the juncture point.There is some kind of design flaw here. I love this Santa Barbara model and I greatly apppreciate the relief it has provided for me, but to pay nearly $30 for something that fell apart after just average use and is being out-lived by its older cousin is quite disconcerting.If it were not for the tearing of the two newest braces, I would be happy to give this product a five star rating since it is easy to use, effective and allows me to have relative normal hand usage. The pain control is wonderful compared to life without it. My only recourse at this point would be to try to glue/stitch the newer splints together because I love them so much.

Works as it should, comfortable.

Wearing the Hely & Weber Santa BArbara Thumb Splint at night, as my doctor prescribed, did not disturb my sleep.

Great-Order came way ahead of schedule.

My surgeon recommended these. I have 2. I have severe Osteo arthritis in both hands and it's worse in the thumbs. I can write with these on and work the computer mouse. I wash them in the washer in a washable net bag cold water once a week. Must be air dried but that does not take long. Easy to wear at night and I wake up with a lot less pain. Of course in my case I also use a compound recommended by my doctor as well. I want a second set and hopefully will be able to order them soon.