If you're a rehabilitation therapist, part of your business includes fitting your patients with orthopedic and physical therapy splints. You can buy state of the art splint products made out of Polyflex, Polyform, Aquaplast and Orthoplast materials, each serving a different purpose for your patients.

In addition to splinting materials, you need physical therapy splint supplies, such as precision shears, rivet guy, casting tape, pop rivets, speedy rivets, hairdriers, bandage scissors and needle nose pliers. Often, you can find these supplies from the same supplier you use for your orthopedic and physical therapy splints.

As you look for splints, you should:

1. Determine what physical therapy splints and orthopedic splints your clients need.
2. Locate a physical therapy splint manufacturer and physical therapy splint distributor that can also supply accessories.
3. Buy speciality splints to be prepared for your clients' needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy orthopedic and physical therapy splints for a wide range of uses

Find a company that carries a wide variety of physical therapy splints and accessories so you can take care of all your patent's needs. Research the companies thoroughly, compare prices, ask questions and find someone who will provide you with excellent customer service.

I recommend: MBS Medical Products Division is an orthopedic splint supplier that carries a variety of orthopedic splints including hand, wrist, leg, finger, forearm and elbow splints. Durable Medical Equipment Direct also has a wide variety of physical therapy products, as well as a staff of athletic trainers and physical therapists online to answer your questions. Just use the "Click for Live Help" button at the top of the page to start a chat.

Find the right orthopedic splint

Orthopedic splint suppliers have a variety of splints for you to choose from. Some orthopedic splint suppliers may offer specialty splints. Decide of you want to buy splints from a general supplier or from one who offers a specialized product, such as an orthopedic wrist splint.

I recommend: Restorative Care of America has a thorough product catalog of orthopedic splints including foot, hand, leg, arm, hip, torso, pediatric and bariatric splints. Ortho Medical Supplies has a large selection of ankle braces, with a smaller selection of thumb and wrist products.

Get accessories and specialty splints for physical therapy

You can find specialty splints for physical therapy, as well as accessories for splinting. These splints are usually adjustable to the injured joint and can be special ordered to fit your patient's size.

I recommend: Sammons Preston, a large physical therapy supply company, sells specialty splints and splinting materials on their website. Wisdom King is the largest online physical therapy supply store. They have a variety of different size finger, hand, elbow, thumb, foot and ulnar splints.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask physicians, occupational therapists and physical therapists in your area who they would recommend for orthopedic splint suppliers. Talking to others in the field can give you an unbiased view of the suppliers.