What is a characteristic of a dorsal block splint?

• A. It immobilizes the entire hand
• B. It holds the affected digit in flexion greater than others
• C. It positions all joints in neutral
• D. It prevents tendon gliding

Answer: (B)

A dorsal block splint is used to protect a repaired or injured flexor tendon by positioning the finger in a flexed posture while allowing movement of the other digits. The defining feature is that the affected digit is held in more flexion than the surrounding fingers, placing the tendon under less tension during motion. This setup enables controlled tendon gliding and early protected motion without immobilizing the entire hand. The goal is not to keep all joints neutral or to prevent tendon gliding, but to keep the injured finger flexed to protect the repair while the rest of the hand can move.