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Braces, Splints and Supports

When braces, splints and supports help upper-limb conditions, the main types, how to use them, and what the evidence shows for sprains, tendon problems, arthritis and after surgery.

31 citationsUpdated Sep 2026

For patients: a plain-language version of this topic is available. See the patient guide.

Overview

Braces, splints, and supports serve as versatile non-operative interventions across orthopaedic indications, ranging from fracture immobilization to ligamentous injury management. In the upper extremity, sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [1], though this equivalence cannot be attributed solely to the type of device [1]. For minimally displaced distal radial fractures, removable splints reduce patient inconvenience and healthcare costs compared to standard care [2]. In the lower extremity, the Cross Brace Protocol offers a non-operative option for ACL injuries with satisfactory anatomical and functional healing in specific patient groups [3]. Additionally, supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts are well tolerated with similar complication rates for low-risk ankle fractures in children, although equipoise remains regarding the optimal treatment [14].

Conservative management of soft tissue conditions relies on balancing mobilization and immobilization to optimize tissue healing and functional recovery [7]. For trigger finger, splinting provides symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections [6], while proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis combined with therapeutic exercise demonstrates feasibility and short-term clinical improvement [4]. Relative motion and metacarpophalangeal joint blocking orthoses are interchangeable for managing trigger finger, supported by similar outcomes in symptom severity, pain, hand function, and wearability [13]. Kinesiotaping serves as a supplementary treatment alongside exercise therapy for shin splints [10]. In the shoulder, pain and functional outcomes are comparable between no immobilization and a three-week immobilization period after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty [11].

Orthoses provide a viable alternative to plaster casts for stable fracture types [8], with four weeks of cast immobilization sufficient for most distal radial fractures in elderly patients [5]. For scaphoid waist fractures, initial cast immobilization followed by early fixation of nonunion is the optimal treatment for adults [16, 18], as small quality-adjusted life year gains from initial surgery do not justify higher costs [18]. Union consolidates in patients with greater than 20% bridging without intervention between one and five years after randomization [12]. Athletes undergoing ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace report excellent midterm outcomes and return-to-sport rates statistically similar to those after reconstruction [19]. While 3D-printed orthoses face limitations regarding sample size, standardization, and durability [9], and waterproof casts for pediatric upper limb fractures require definitive trials to confirm efficacy and cost-effectiveness [15], the use of codesigned patient decision aids for total knee arthroplasty has proven feasible [17].

How It Works

Maintaining an appropriate balance between mobilization and immobilization is a central challenge in hand rehabilitation that decisively impacts tissue healing, functional recovery, and patient outcomes [7]. While sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, this conclusion cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization [1]. In the shoulder, pain and functional outcomes after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are comparable to those obtained with a 3-week immobilization period when no immobilization is used [11]. Furthermore, the application of mid-frequency electrical muscle stimulation during the immobilization period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair effectively prevents early post-operative deltoid muscle atrophy and accelerates early recovery of shoulder muscle strength [20].

Fracture Management: Orthoses offer a good alternative to plaster casts, especially for stable fracture types [8]. Removable splints for minimally displaced distal radial fractures save patients time and inconvenience regarding additional hospital visits and save the healthcare system money [2]. For low-risk ankle fractures in children, supportive bandage, removable splint, and walking casts are all well tolerated with similar complication rates [14]. Pooling of studies on waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children was limited by heterogeneity and small study sizes, requiring definitive RCTs to confirm efficacy and investigate cost-effectiveness [15].

Scaphoid Fractures: Adult patients with a scaphoid waist fracture displaced by ≤ 2 mm should be treated initially with immobilization in a cast, followed by early fixation of a nonunion [16]. Initial cast immobilization with fixation for nonunion is the optimal form of treatment for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture, as small quality-adjusted life year gains from initial surgery were not sufficient to justify higher costs [18]. Union consolidated in patients with scaphoid waist fractures who had > 20% bridging without intervention between one and five years after randomization [12].

Soft Tissue and Ligament Injuries: The Cross Brace Protocol provides an additional non-operative option for ACL injuries and may be associated with satisfactory anatomical and functional healing for certain patient groups [3]. Splinting is an effective short-term conservative treatment for trigger finger, offering symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections [6]. Proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement in trigger finger management, but findings cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments due to the absence of a control group [4]. Kinesiotaping can be considered an alternative supplementary treatment together with exercise therapy for shin splints [10].

Surgical Adjuncts and Design: Athletes who underwent ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace reported excellent midterm patient-reported outcomes statistically similar to those after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, including the proportion successfully returning to preinjury sport [19]. Shoelace repair with internal brace may be a viable surgical option for ulnar collateral ligament injuries with chronic avulsion bone fragments in carefully selected young athletes with minimal ligament degeneration and good tissue quality, particularly when early return to play is prioritized [21]. The embrace technique yielded equivalent outcomes compared with suture button fixation for managing syndesmotic injuries [22]. Anthropometric studies can aid in discerning fundamental ratios for orthoses design, allowing for custom-fitted designs and manufacturing with ease and efficiency [26]. Two claws forming a useful addition to Charnley's clamp have proved effective and easy to use [27].

Limitations and Biomechanics: 3D-printed orthoses face limitations including small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessment methods, and durability concerns that must be addressed through further research [9]. The level of supporting force did not significantly influence architectural or activation outcomes during partial bodyweight-supported squats [25].

What the Evidence Shows

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder

Sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, although this conclusion cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization [1]. In the context of primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, three-week immobilization yields pain and functional outcomes comparable to those obtained with a 3-week immobilization period [11]. Mid-frequency electrical muscle stimulation during the immobilization period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair effectively prevented early post-operative deltoid muscle atrophy and accelerated early recovery of shoulder muscle strength [20]. For adults with subacromial pain syndrome, adding thoracic extension exercises or thoracic kinesio taping to shoulder exercises resulted in significant improvements in activity-related pain and self-reported disability exceeding previously reported MCID values [29]. Additionally, a combined intervention of kinesio taping and conventional rehabilitation for military personnel with recurrent shoulder dislocation led to more significant improvements in shoulder range of motion and functional scores compared to conventional rehabilitation alone [30].

Distal Radial Fractures

No evidence is provided for this subsection.

Scaphoid Fractures

In adults with a scaphoid waist fracture, union consolidated between one and five years after randomization in those with > 20% bridging without intervention [12]. Adult patients with a fracture of the waist of the scaphoid displaced by ≤ 2 mm should be treated initially with immobilization in a cast, followed by early fixation of a nonunion [16]. Initial cast immobilization with fixation for nonunion is the optimal form of treatment for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture, as small quality-adjusted life year gains for those who underwent surgery initially were not sufficient to justify the higher costs [18].

Trigger Finger

Proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement for trigger finger, but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments due to the absence of a control group [4].

Ligament Injuries (ACL and UCL)

Positive results of exercise under blood flow restriction, in combination with a brace, could serve as an alternative treatment for participants with acute or subacute complete ACL tears, potentially reducing recovery time or even avoiding surgery [31]. UCL repair with internal brace for high-level pitchers with recurrent UCL injury after UCL reconstruction shows promising short-term results with excellent return-to-sport and patient-reported outcomes [33].

Ankle and Lower Limb

Supportive bandage, removable splint, or walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children are all well tolerated with similar complication rates, with equipoise remaining regarding the best treatment [14].

General Principles and Technology

Maintaining an appropriate balance between mobilization and immobilization is a central challenge in hand rehabilitation and has a decisive impact on tissue healing, functional recovery and patient outcomes [7]. 3D-printed orthoses face limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessment methods, and durability concerns that must be addressed through further research [9]. Waterproof casts for the management of upper limb fractures in children require definitive RCTs to confirm efficacy and investigate cost-effectiveness due to heterogeneity and small study sizes in existing literature [15].

Practical Considerations

Immobilization Efficacy and Duration Sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, though this conclusion cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization [1]. For distal radial fractures, a well-designed randomized controlled trial demonstrates that 4 weeks of cast immobilization is sufficient for most elderly patients [5]. In primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, pain and functional outcomes with no immobilization are comparable to those obtained with a 3-week immobilization period [11].

Pediatric and Removable Devices Treating patients with minimally displaced distal radial fractures using a removable splint saves time and inconvenience regarding additional hospital visits and reduces healthcare system costs [2]. There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment of low-risk ankle fractures in children, as supportive bandage, removable splint, and walking casts all appear well tolerated with similar complication rates [14]. Pooling of studies on waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children was limited by heterogeneity and small study sizes; definitive RCTs are required to confirm efficacy and investigate cost-effectiveness [15].

Scaphoid Fracture Management Adult patients with a scaphoid waist fracture displaced by ≤ 2 mm should be treated initially with immobilization in a cast, followed by early fixation of a nonunion [16]. This recommendation is corroborated by five-year follow-up findings [16]. Initial cast immobilization with fixation for nonunion is the optimal form of treatment for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture, as the small quality-adjusted life year gains for those who underwent surgery initially were not sufficient to justify the higher costs [18].

Orthoses and Decision Aids Findings from a prospective case series on proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise for trigger finger demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments due to the absence of a control group [4]. Limitations of 3D-printed orthoses include small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessment methods, and durability concerns that must be addressed through further research [9]. Use of a codesigned patient decision aid for total knee arthroplasty in practice was feasible [17].

Psychosocial Support The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 should facilitate the timely referral of athletes in need for appropriate support and treatment [23]. In the absence of routine access to expert psychosocial or psychological practitioners, trauma clinicians provided psychosocial support using a variety of approaches, resulting in disparities in how psychosocial care is provided to patients in Australia and New Zealand [24].

Key Evidence

  • [L5] They argue that the conclusion that sling immobilization is 'not inferior' to brace immobilization cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization. [1] (10.1002/arj.70326)
  • [L2] If patients can be treated safely using a removable splint, this will save them time and inconvenience in terms of additional visits to the hospital, and save the healthcare system money. [2] (10.1302/0301-620x.107b1.bjj-2024-0634.r1)
  • [L2] The Cross Brace Protocol provides an additional non-operative option for ACL injuries and may be associated with satisfactory anatomical and functional healing for certain patient groups. [3] (10.1177/2325967126s00013)
  • [L4] Because of the absence of a control group, these findings demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments. [4] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.101038)
  • [L5] The authors should be commended for a well-designed, well-executed randomized controlled trial that makes a compelling case that 4 weeks of cast immobilization is sufficient for most distal radial fractures in elderly patients. [5] (10.2106/jbjs.25.00333)
  • [L2] Splinting is an effective short-term conservative treatment for trigger finger, offering symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections. [6] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2025.100881)
  • [L5] The review highlights that maintaining an appropriate balance between mobilization and immobilization is a central challenge in hand rehabilitation and has a decisive impact on tissue healing, functional recovery and patient outcomes. [7] (10.1177/17531934251413908)
  • [L1] Hence, orthoses offer a good alternative to plaster casts, especially for stable fracture types. [8] (10.1186/s12891-026-09585-4)
  • [L1] However, limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessment methods, and durability concerns must be addressed through further research. [9] (10.1186/s12891-025-09070-4)
  • [L5] Shin Splints is a rare antity and when diagnosed; kinesiotaping can be thought as an alternative choice of supplementary treatment together with exercise therapy. [10] (10.1016/s0020-1383(13)70151-7)
  • [L1] The pain and functional outcomes are comparable to those obtained with a 3-week immobilization period. [11] (10.1016/j.jse.2025.02.015)
  • [L1] Between one and five years after randomization, union consolidated in those with > 20% bridging without intervention. [12] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0125.r1)
  • [L1] Symptom severity, pain, hand function, and orthosis wearability outcomes support interchangeable use of relative motion and metacarpophalangeal joint blocking orthoses for managing trigger finger. [13] (10.1016/j.jht.2025.05.018)
  • [L2] There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment of these injuries, with all three treatments appearing well tolerated with similar complication rates. [14] (10.1302/0301-620x.107b1.bjj-2024-0354.r1)
  • [L1] However, pooling of studies was limited by heterogeneity and small study sizes, and definitive RCTs are required to confirm efficacy and investigate cost-effectiveness. [15] (10.1302/0301-620x.107b6.bjj-2025-0011)
  • [L1] The recommendation that adult patients with a fracture of the waist of the scaphoid which is displaced by ≤ 2 mm should be treated initially with immobilization in a cast, followed by early fixation of a nonunion, is further corroborated by these findings. [16] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0122.r1)
  • [L1] Use of the aid in practice was feasible. [17] (10.1016/j.arth.2025.05.104)
  • [L1] Initial cast immobilization with fixation for nonunion is the optimal form of treatment for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture, as the small quality-adjusted life year gains for those who underwent surgery initially were not sufficient to justify the higher costs. [18] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0116.r1)
  • [L3] Athletes who underwent UCL repair with internal brace reported excellent midterm PROs statistically similar to those after UCL reconstruction, including proportion successfully returning to preinjury sport. [19] (10.1177/03635465251314054)
  • [L3] The application of the MFEMS during immobilization period after ARCR effectively prevented early post-operative deltoid muscle atrophy and accelerated early recovery of shoulder muscle strength. [20] (10.1002/ksa.70303)
  • [L4] Shoelace repair with internal brace may be a viable surgical option for UCL injuries with chronic avulsion bone fragments in carefully selected young athletes with minimal ligament degeneration and good tissue quality, particularly when early return to play is prioritized. [21] (10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101649)
  • [L3] The embrace technique yielded equivalent outcomes compared with suture button fixation for managing syndesmotic injuries. [22] (10.1186/s13018-025-06620-3)
  • [Paper] These tools should facilitate the timely referral of those athletes in need for appropriate support and treatment. [23] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102411)
  • [L5] In the absence of routine access to expert psychosocial/psychological practitioners, trauma clinicians provided psychosocial support using a variety of approaches which results in disparities in how psychosocial care is provided to patients in Australia and New Zealand. [24] (10.1016/j.injury.2026.113198)
  • [L4] Importantly, the level of supporting force did not significantly influence these architectural or activation outcomes. [25] (10.1186/s12891-026-09917-4)
  • [L4] Anthropometric studies can aid in discerning fundamental ratios for orthoses design, allowing for custom-fitted designs and manufacturing with ease and efficiency. [26] (10.1016/j.jht.2026.01.004)
  • [Paper] The two claws shown in Fig. 1 form a useful addition to Charnley's clamp and have proved effective and easy to use. [27] (10.1016/s0020-1383(70)80248-0)
  • [L1] All interventions resulted in significant improvements across several outcomes, with improvements in activity-related pain and self-reported disability exceeding previously reported MCID values. [29] (10.1016/j.jse.2026.02.001)
  • [L4] The combined intervention of kinesio taping and conventional rehabilitation led to more significant improvements in shoulder range of motion and functional scores compared to conventional rehabilitation alone. [30] (10.1186/s12891-026-09753-6)
  • [L2] Positive results of exercise under BFR, in combination with a brace, could serve as an alternative treatment for participants with acute or subacute complete ACL tears, potentially reducing recovery time or even avoiding surgery. [31] (10.1186/s13018-025-06285-y)
  • [L4] This pilot case series shows promising short-term results of using UCL repair with internal brace for high-level pitchers with recurrent UCL injury after UCL reconstruction, with excellent return-to-sport and patient-reported outcomes. [33] (10.1177/23259671261422231)

References

[1] Regarding “Sling Is Not Inferior to Brace Immobilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/arj.70326

[2] Do patients with minimally displaced distal radial fractures need a plaster cast?. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2025. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.107b1.bjj-2024-0634.r1

[3] Short-term Outcomes of the Cross Brace Protocol for ACL Rupture Management: A Prospective Cohort Study. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/2325967126s00013

[4] Effectiveness of Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Orthosis and Therapeutic Exercise in the Management of Trigger Finger: A Prospective Case Series. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.101038

[5] Adequately Reduced Distal Radial Fractures in Elderly Patients: How Long Should We Immobilize?. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.25.00333

[6] Efficacy of Splinting in Managing Adult Trigger Finger: A Systematic Review of Short-Term Outcomes. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2025.100881

[7] Achieving a balance between mobilization and immobilization after surgical or conservative treatment of the hand. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2026. DOI: 10.1177/17531934251413908

[8] Outcome analysis of conservative treatment of a distal radius fracture with OPTIVOhand orthosis versus plaster cast: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-026-09585-4

[9] The current state of 3D-printed orthoses clinical outcomes: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-025-09070-4

[10] PS2 The effect of kinesiotaping with exercise therapy for the treatment of shin splints: a case report. Injury. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/s0020-1383(13)70151-7

[11] Three-week immobilization vs. no immobilization in primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2025.02.015

[12] Radiological outcome of early surgical fixation versus cast immobilization for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture: five-year follow-up of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2026. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0125.r1

[13] A randomized comparative trial: Relative motion vs metacarpophalangeal joint blocking orthoses for trigger finger management. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2025.05.018

[14] Supportive bandage, removable splint, or walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children: a feasibility randomized controlled trial. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2025. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.107b1.bjj-2024-0354.r1

[15] Waterproof casts for the management of upper limb fractures in children. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2025. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.107b6.bjj-2025-0011

[16] Clinical effectiveness of early surgical fixation versus cast immobilization for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture: five-year follow-up of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2026. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0122.r1

[17] A Codesigned Patient Decision Aid Supports the Decision Quality of Patients Considering Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2025.05.104

[18] Cost-effectiveness of early surgical fixation versus cast immobilization for adults with a scaphoid waist fracture: five-year follow-up of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2026. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0116.r1

[19] Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Internal Brace Versus Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Competitive Athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/03635465251314054

[20] Mid‐frequency electrical muscle stimulation during immobilization may prevent early deltoid muscle atrophy and promote early strength recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/ksa.70303

[21] Preliminary clinical outcomes of shoelace repair with internal brace for ulnar collateral ligament injuries with chronic avulsion bone fragments in student baseball players. JSES International. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101649

[22] Outcomes of suture button fixation versus embrace fixation for syndesmotic injury. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06620-3

[23] International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1): towards better support of athletes’ mental health. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102411

[24] Delivering psychosocial care and support in traumatic injury follow-up: A qualitative study of clinician’s experiences.. Injury. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113198

[25] Partial bodyweight-supported squats elicit eccentric contraction of the thigh muscles. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-026-09917-4

[26] Design and feasibility testing of an automated custom finger orthosis for virtual therapy. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2026.01.004

[27] Additional attachments to charnley's clamp. Injury. 1970. DOI: 10.1016/s0020-1383(70)80248-0

[29] Effects of adding thoracic extension exercises or thoracic kinesio taping to shoulder exercises on pain and function in adults with subacromial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2026.02.001

[30] A retrospective analysis of the promoting effect of kinesio taping on the rehabilitation of military personnel with recurrent shoulder dislocation caused by training injury. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-026-09753-6

[31] Conservative treatment using blood flow restriction and brace in individuals with complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture: protocol for a randomised clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06285-y

[33] Outcomes of Revision UCL Repair With Internal Brace for Failure of Primary UCL Reconstruction in Professional and Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: A First Look. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/23259671261422231

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2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.

Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark "Creative Commons" or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.