Pulley Ring

thingiverse

I highly recommend using version 2 of the pulley ring (pulley protection splint): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3722346. As a layperson without medical training, I'm offering this suggestion in the hopes it can assist others. A friend recently suffered a severe A2 pulley injury and was concerned about her recovery process. Given her job requirements to frequently wash her hands, H-taping wouldn't have provided sufficient support. She discovered a study supporting the use of this ring to aid the injured pulley during recovery, which prompted her request for 3D-printed versions. Since we didn't initially have an existing model, I designed one from scratch. We iteratively refined the design until arriving at the current version. The ring is placed sideways over the affected finger, with the intention of providing support to the tendon while the pulley heals. A snug but comfortable fit is crucial. The ring's placement on the finger is also unique, sitting perpendicular to the knuckle rather than encircling it like a traditional ring. I 3D-printed multiple rings for her in both PLA and PETG. Surprisingly, the PLA versions performed better. This design allows for customization to achieve an optimal fit. All dimensions are specified in millimeters. The variables include: - size: the diameter of the hole, matching your finger's circumference - height: the Z-axis dimension, which we found to be 7.5mm effective - thickness: the ring wall's thickness - gap: the bottom gap size for easy finger insertion - bar_length: the length of the bottom bars, aiding in expanding the ring for a secure fit