The influence of splinting on healing tissues.

In addition to immobilizing injured soft tissue to allow healing, splints are used to positively influence collagen remodeling through the application of low-load forces to healing or contracted soft tissue, permitting soft tissue growth and concomitant increased function. When correction of limited passive range of motion due to soft tissue contracture is needed, splinting is an absolute requisite. No other currently available modality is able to hold a constant low-load tension for a prolonged time sufficient to cause tissue growth.