Mike,
Greetings.
You are right. Splints are of no use now. But at your age, this slight stiffness needs answer. Normally it should return back to normal within 7-10 days.
There are few thing which you can do. First thing is to start an anti-inflammatory analgesic. Basic idea is that thy reduce the tissue edema. Motrin 400 mg twice a day with main meals for 5-7 days would be ideal. You would say there is no pain. But the indication of prescribing here is to stimulate production of kallikreins in your body.
Second thing is to do some exercises. You have to very gentle and kids' moulding clay is the best thing for finger joint exercises. Although a help with a physical therapist would have been ideal.
Heat do help and a paraffin wax bath can do wonders, but it is only available in a physical therapy center. So you can keep warm compresses or put the hands in warm water twice a day.
All of these measures, if don't help you, you need to go to a rheumatologist. Ideal would be to get investigated for some arthralgias.
Hope this helps. Please feel free, if you have questions.
__________________
This communication is open till you are satisfied. I have 20 years experience of direct patient care as a surgeon, sports medicine specialist and a medical teacher. Please click accept if I had answered your question. Good feedback/bonus is welcome.
