SCIThis is the buying guide — what the hand devices are, who each one fits, what they cost, and where to get them. For how and when to use them — daily range of motion, splint wear schedules, and the all-important tenodesis caution — read the full guide: Hands After Spinal Cord Injury: Preventing Contractures & Protecting Function.
Match the device to your hand
There is no single "best" hand device — the right one depends entirely on how much movement you have. This is the whole decision in one table:
| Your hand right now | What helps | What it does | Examples | Rough price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No movement — keeping it healthy | Resting hand splint + daily range of motion | Holds the safe position, prevents the claw | Prefab or custom resting splints | $20–$350 |
| Wrist extension, weak/no fingers | Tenodesis / wrist-driven orthosis | Turns wrist motion into a pinch | JAECO flexor-hinge, RIC splint | Custom (trainer ~$43) |
| Some finger movement, just weak | Grip-amplifying glove | Boosts the grip you can start | Carbonhand, SaeboGlove | $299–$7,000 |
| Little/no grip, wrist weak | Grip-generating device | Makes the grip for you | PowerGrip, Bioness H200 (FES) | $6,000–$7,500 |
| Any level — do tasks today | Grip substitutes | Work around grip entirely | Universal cuff, Active Hands | $8–$95 |
Splints
Resting hand splint (night positioning)
The workhorse of hand care: it cradles the wrist, knuckles, and thumb in the "safe" position overnight so a flaccid or spastic hand can't curl into a claw, and gives soft tissue a long, low-load stretch. Off-the-shelf shells are fine for basic positioning, but for an insensate SCI hand most therapists prefer a custom splint molded by an OT — better fit, preserved thumb web, lower skin risk. Brands therapists actually use include Comfy Splints, Rolyan, RCAI, and Orfit.
Skip the generic one if: your hand has no sensation and no OT has checked the fit — get it molded instead.
Wrist (cock-up) splint
If your wrist won't hold itself extended, a lightweight daytime wrist splint keeps it in a functional, slightly cocked-up position — which makes the whole hand more useful and supports a tenodesis grip. Meant for activity, not the full immobilizing cradle of a night splint.
Tenodesis / wrist-driven flexor-hinge orthosis
For a hand with active wrist extension but weak fingers, this device mechanically links cocking the wrist to a pinch against the thumb — turning a wrist movement into a real grasp. JAECO makes the main U.S. mechanical version; the classic RIC splint is custom-fabricated by an OT. Honest caveat: they can be bulky and many people end up preferring their own bare-hand tenodesis or surgery, so try a low-cost trainer kit before committing to a custom build.
SaeboStretch & dynamic splints
A dynamic resting splint lets the fingers move and springs them back toward extension rather than locking them rigid — useful when you're countering a steady pull or trying to regain range. The SaeboStretch (about $250) is the best-known consumer option. For established, stubborn contractures, therapists may use serial casting or rented low-load stretch systems (Dynasplint, Ultraflex) billed through insurance.
Powered & robotic gloves
The "gloves that move your hands" category is the most hyped and most misunderstood — full of demo videos for devices that are discontinued, industrial-only, or still in a lab. The make-or-break question is whether a device amplifies grip you already have or generates grip you don't.
| Device | Type | Needs movement? | Best for | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonhand (Bioservo) | Soft grip-amplifying glove | Yes — must start the grasp | Incomplete / CCS, weak grip | ~$7,000 (quote) | Manufacturer / VA |
| SaeboGlove | Mechanical tension glove | Yes — some movement | Mild weakness, home use | ~$299 | saebo.com |
| SaeboFlex | Spring-loaded WHFO | Yes — some movement, higher tone | Moderate weakness, therapy | ~$599+ fitted | Certified therapist |
| PowerGrip | Powered wrist-hand orthosis | No — generates the grip | ~C5, little/no grip | ~$7,500 | inclusiveinc.org |
| NeoMano | Soft robotic glove | — | Discontinued | n/a | No longer sold |
Carbonhand / SEM Glove (Bioservo)
A soft glove with fingertip sensors: when it feels you begin to grasp, artificial tendons add force, so a weak grip becomes a usable one. Because it boosts your movement, it's an excellent fit for many incomplete and central-cord hands — and not a fit for a completely paralyzed hand. Sold in the U.S., on the VA Federal Supply Schedule, and fitted through a clinician; pricing is quote-based (estimates around $7,000 — confirm with the manufacturer).
SaeboGlove / SaeboFlex
No motor, no battery — these use tension bands or springs to help your fingers open during tasks and therapy. The SaeboGlove (~$300) suits milder weakness; the spring-loaded SaeboFlex handles higher tone but must be fitted by a Saebo-certified therapist. Both need some residual active movement, so they fit motor-incomplete hands, not flaccid ones. Buy direct for the fitting, trial period, and warranty.
PowerGrip (Broadened Horizons / Inclusive Inc.)
The most directly SCI-targeted powered device still sold. It motor-drives a palmar or key pinch as an add-on to a wrist orthosis — it makes the grip happen rather than amplifying yours, so it fits hands at about the C5 level with little or no active grasp. Around $7,500, frequently funded through grants, with a long real-world track record.
Electrical stimulation (FES)
Bioness / NESS H200
Instead of a motor, functional electrical stimulation sends small pulses to your own forearm muscles to make them contract and close the hand. The H200 is a surface-FES forearm-and-hand unit specifically FDA-labeled for uses including C5-level SCI. It's prescription-only and fitted by a trained therapist, and runs in the several-thousands (around $6,200). FES only works if the muscle still responds to stimulation — a therapist can test this in minutes.
Grip aids & adaptive tools
These don't treat contracture — they let you do things today by working around absent grip. Dollar for dollar, they return more daily independence than anything else on this page.
Universal cuff (quad cuff)
A strap around your palm with a pocket that holds a fork, pen, stylus, toothbrush, or razor — no grip required. The single most useful adaptive aid for weak hands, and about $8–$15. If you try one thing from this page, try this.
Active Hands gripping aids
Neoprene wraps that strap your hand around a bar, handle, dumbbell, or piece of equipment — the go-to for working out, cycling, and using tools when you can't close your hand. About $95 each (the cost is the common gripe), but genuinely enabling.
Built-up handles, foam tubing & dressing aids
Fat foam grips slide onto utensils, pens, and toothbrushes so they don't need a tight grip (a few dollars a pack). Add key turners, button hooks, and zipper pulls for the small tasks grip used to handle. Therapy putty is great too — but only if you have active grip to train.
Paying for it
The commodity items here are cheap enough to buy outright (and HSA/FSA-eligible). The powered and FES devices mostly aren't paid out of pocket — they're funded through insurance (with a prescription and documentation), the VA (Carbonhand is on the VA Federal Supply Schedule), state vocational rehab, or grants like the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life program. Manufacturers often have financial-assistance or trial options too. An OT or ATP can write the justification letter that makes or breaks an insurance claim. See Benefits & Money for funding routes.
FAQ
Is there a glove that will move my hand if I have no movement at all?
Yes, but not the grip-amplifying gloves (Carbonhand, Saebo) — those need you to start the movement. To generate a grip you'd look at the PowerGrip orthosis (~$7,500) or surface FES like the Bioness H200 (~$6,200, prescription), and FES only works if your muscles still respond to stimulation. The much-shared NeoMano glove is discontinued.
How much do powered hand gloves cost?
Mechanical assist gloves start around $300 (SaeboGlove). Powered/FES devices run several thousand: Carbonhand ~$7,000, PowerGrip ~$7,500, Bioness H200 ~$6,200 — usually funded through insurance, the VA, or grants rather than out of pocket.
Should I buy a hand splint on Amazon or get one made?
Off-the-shelf is fine for basic night positioning, but for a hand that can't feel pressure a poor fit risks a pressure sore, and a generic shell often doesn't preserve the thumb web. Most experienced SCI therapists prefer a custom-molded splint — and if you have wrist extension, it must be positioned to protect your tenodesis.
Sources & Further Reading
- Hands After SCI: Preventing Contractures & Protecting Function — our full guide to how and when to use these devices
- Current U.S. splinting practices for cervical SCI (Frye & Geigle, Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2020)
- Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following SCI — Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine / PVA
- SCI factsheet series — Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center
- RESNA — find an OT/ATP for device fitting
SCI.help guides are information, not medical advice. The right hand device depends on your level of movement and sensation — confirm with an occupational or hand therapist who knows spinal cord injury. Prices are approximate (2026) and change; confirm with the seller.