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支具、夹板和护具

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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.

Updated Aug 2026
一种佩戴在前臂和手上的织物腕部支撑夹板。
一副贴合良好的夹板可使腕部或手部得到休息和保护，减轻受刺激肌腱和关节的负担。 Kieran Hirpara 4.0

本页面由机器翻译，尚未经临床医生审核。英文版本为权威版本。

您的感受

您可能会感到手腕、手指、肩膀或脚踝疼痛和僵硬。具体部位取决于您的损伤类型。例如，腕骨骨折通常会导致手腕拇指侧附近疼痛。肩部问题可能使您难以将手伸到背后扣上胸罩或塞好衬衫。手指损伤可能使扣衬衫纽扣或抓握物体等简单任务变得困难。

您的症状通常会随活动而变化。在使用关节后或夜间休息时，疼痛可能会加剧。早晨刚醒来时，您可能会感到僵硬。这种僵硬通常在活动后会缓解。对于某些损伤，如儿童轻微的踝关节扭伤，疼痛较轻且可控。您可能会发现，支持性绷带或可拆卸夹板有助于缓解不适。这些装置可在不过度限制活动的情况下保持该区域稳定。

在某些情况下，如某些手指疾病，夹板固定提供的症状缓解效果与注射治疗相似。佩戴支具仅几周后，您可能会感到功能改善且疼痛减轻。对于老年人的腕骨骨折，通常固定四周即可使骨骼愈合。在此期间，您可能会感到显著改善。然而，如果骨骼未能正确愈合，您可能需要进一步治疗。

肩关节置换手术后也可能出现肩部疼痛。您可能会发现，在不打石膏的情况下活动肩膀三周，感觉与佩戴石膏类似。这意味着您可以更早地获得活动自由。对于成人的舟骨骨折，轻微移位（2 毫米或更少）通常采用石膏固定。如果骨骼未能愈合，您可能需要手术进行修复。

总体而言，您的体验因损伤类型而异。某些支具允许您将其取下以进行清洁或轻微活动，从而节省时间和减少就诊次数。而其他支具则需要严格佩戴以保持骨骼位置。您的外科医生会指导您预期会出现的情况。倾听您身体的声音。如果疼痛加重或日常任务变得过于困难，请告知您的医疗团队。大多数患者发现，夹板和锻炼等保守治疗能提供良好的缓解和功能改善。

实际发生了什么

您的骨骼、关节和软组织协同工作，使您能够活动。当出现问题时，支具和夹板会介入提供帮助。可以将支具想象成对您身体的支持性拥抱。它固定住相关部位，使其在不受额外应力的情况下愈合。

对于腕部骨折，骨骼可能会轻微移位。可拆卸夹板可在腕骨愈合过程中保持腕部稳定。这允许您活动手指，并减少频繁前往医院的需要。对于老年人，将腕部固定四周通常足以使大多数骨折正确愈合。对于稳定骨折，这些支具是厚重石膏固定的良好替代方案。

在您的手中，扳机指（狭窄性腱鞘炎）发生时，弯曲手指的肌腱会被卡住。这就像绳索磨损并在滑轮处卡住一样。中指关节支具有助于保持肌腱对齐。结合轻柔的锻炼，这可以在短期内缓解症状并改善功能。对许多人来说，其效果与类固醇注射相当。

对于膝关节损伤，前交叉韧带（ACL）是稳定膝关节的强韧组织带。有时它会撕裂。交叉支具方案提供了一种无需手术的治疗方法。它旨在通过指导您的运动来帮助韧带自然愈合。这可能导致某些患者获得令人满意的愈合效果。

在您的肩部，关节囊是容纳上臂骨球状端并使其保持位置的袖套。在反向全肩关节置换术后，部分患者根本不需要石膏固定。在不固定的情况下活动，其疼痛和功能结果与佩戴石膏固定三周相似。

对于舟骨等小型腕骨，即使是微小的移位也很重要。如果骨折较小（2 毫米或更少），石膏固定通常是第一步。如果骨骼未能愈合，则可能需要早期手术。在儿童中，踝关节骨折通常较轻。支持性绷带、夹板或行走石膏似乎都能以相似的舒适度发挥良好效果。我们仍在研究哪种方式最适合每个儿童。

预期情况

您的康复路径取决于具体的损伤类型以及您所使用的支具或夹板。对于许多腕部骨折，可拆卸夹板是传统石膏的一种实用替代方案。它们可以节省您的时间，并减少您需要前往医院的次数。这种方法对医疗系统而言成本也更低。对于伴有稳定腕部骨折的老年患者，四周的石膏固定通常足以促进愈合。对于其他稳定骨折，定制支具（矫形器）是石膏的良好替代方案。

如果您患有涉及前交叉韧带的膝关节损伤，交叉韧带支具方案（Cross Brace Protocol）可能是一个选项。这种非手术方法可以使某些患者的膝关节结构和功能获得令人满意的愈合。对于儿童的踝关节骨折，在支持性绷带、可拆卸夹板和行走石膏之间，没有哪一种是最优治疗方案。这三种选项均耐受性良好，且并发症风险相似。您的外科医生将帮助为您的孩子的具体情况选择最合适的方案。

扳机指等手部问题通常可通过近端指间关节支具（用于手指中间关节的夹板）结合治疗性锻炼得到改善。夹板固定提供的症状缓解和功能改善与皮质类固醇注射相当。它是一种有效的短期保守治疗方法。然而，由于直接比较有限，证据并未证明其优于其他非手术方法。

对于成人舟骨腰部骨折，初始治疗通常涉及在骨骼移位不超过 2 毫米的情况下进行石膏固定。如果骨骼未通过此方法愈合，则建议早期固定。有趣的是，一些具有超过 20% 骨痂桥接的舟骨骨折可在无需干预的情况下，在一至五年内实现愈合。在肩部手术中，不固定与固定三周在疼痛和功能方面相当。总体而言，支具和夹板旨在支持愈合，同时让您以最小的不便管理日常生活。

Reviewed by Kieran Hirpara · 13 June 2026.

Want the clinical detail? Read the clinician version.

Talk to your treating clinician for advice specific to you.

For an appointment with the CQ Hand + Upper Limb team, ask your GP about a referral or visit www.cqupperlimb.com.

Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

  • Sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [1].
  • The conclusion that sling immobilization is not inferior to brace immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization [1].
  • Removable splints for minimally displaced distal radial fractures save patients time and inconvenience by reducing additional hospital visits [2].
  • Removable splints for minimally displaced distal radial fractures save the healthcare system money [2].
  • The Cross Brace Protocol provides a non-operative option for ACL injuries [3].
  • The Cross Brace Protocol may be associated with satisfactory anatomical and functional healing for certain patient groups with ACL injuries [3].
  • Proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement in trigger finger management [4].
  • Proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis and therapeutic exercise cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments for trigger finger due to the absence of a control group [4].
  • Splinting is an effective short-term conservative treatment for adult trigger finger [6].
  • Splinting offers symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections for adult trigger finger [6].
  • Supportive bandage, removable splint, and walking casts are all well tolerated with similar complication rates for low-risk ankle fractures in children [7].
  • There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment among supportive bandage, removable splint, and walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children [7].
  • Four weeks of cast immobilization is sufficient for most distal radial fractures in adequately reduced elderly patients [5].
  • Orthoses offer a good alternative to plaster casts for stable distal radius fracture types [8].
  • Pooling of studies on waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children was limited by heterogeneity and small study sizes [11].
  • Definitive RCTs are required to confirm the efficacy and investigate the cost-effectiveness of waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children [11].
  • Adult patients with a scaphoid waist fracture displaced by ≤ 2 mm should be treated initially with immobilization in a cast [14].
  • Early fixation of nonunion is recommended for adult patients with a scaphoid waist fracture initially treated with cast immobilization [14].

How It Works

  • Sling immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is not inferior to brace immobilization [1].
  • Removable splints for minimally displaced distal radial fractures save patients time and inconvenience by reducing hospital visits [2].
  • Splinting is an effective short-term conservative treatment for trigger finger [6].
  • Splinting offers symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections for trigger finger [6].
  • Supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children are all well tolerated with similar complication rates [7].
  • There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment among supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children [7].
  • Pain and functional outcomes after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are comparable between no immobilization and a 3-week immobilization period [9].
  • Scaphoid waist fracture union consolidated in patients with > 20% bridging without intervention between one and five years after randomization [10].
  • Maintaining an appropriate balance between mobilization and immobilization has a decisive impact on tissue healing, functional recovery, and patient outcomes in hand rehabilitation [12].
  • Relative motion orthoses and metacarpophalangeal joint blocking orthoses support interchangeable use for managing trigger finger based on symptom severity, pain, hand function, and wearability outcomes [13].
  • Mid-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (MFEMS) during immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair effectively prevents early post-operative deltoid muscle atrophy [16].
  • Mid-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (MFEMS) during immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair accelerates early recovery of shoulder muscle strength [16].
  • Four weeks of cast immobilization is sufficient for most distal radial fractures in elderly patients [5].

What the Evidence Shows

Immobilization and Bracing Strategies

  • Sling immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is not inferior to brace immobilization, although this conclusion cannot be attributed solely to the type of immobilization [1].
  • Removable splints offer a safe treatment option for minimally displaced distal radial fractures, reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs compared to plaster casts [2].
  • A 4-week cast immobilization period is sufficient for most distal radial fractures in elderly patients [5].
  • Orthoses provide a good alternative to plaster casts for stable distal radial fracture types [8].
  • Waterproof casts are an option for upper limb fractures in children, but definitive RCTs are required to confirm efficacy and investigate cost-effectiveness due to study heterogeneity and small sample sizes [11].
  • Three-week immobilization after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty yields pain and functional outcomes comparable to longer immobilization periods [9].
  • 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 [12].

Specific Orthotic Protocols and Devices

  • The Cross Brace Protocol provides a non-operative option for ACL injuries, potentially associated with satisfactory anatomical and functional healing for certain patient groups [3].
  • Proximal interphalangeal joint orthosis combined with therapeutic exercise demonstrates feasibility and short-term clinical improvement for trigger finger, though superiority over other conservative treatments cannot be established due to the absence of a control group [4].
  • Splinting is an effective short-term conservative treatment for trigger finger, offering symptom relief and functional improvement comparable to corticosteroid injections [6].
  • Relative motion orthoses and metacarpophalangeal joint blocking orthoses are interchangeable for managing trigger finger based on symptom severity, pain, hand function, and wearability outcomes [13].
  • Supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children are all well-tolerated with similar complication rates, leaving equipoise regarding the best treatment [7].

Surgical Fixation and Internal Bracing

  • UCL repair with internal brace reports excellent midterm patient-reported outcomes statistically similar to UCL reconstruction, including similar proportions of athletes successfully returning to preinjury sport [19].
  • The embrace technique for syndesmotic injury yields equivalent outcomes compared with suture button fixation [20].
  • For adult scaphoid waist fractures displaced by ≤ 2 mm, initial treatment with cast immobilization followed by early fixation of nonunion is recommended [14].
  • Between one and five years after randomization, scaphoid union consolidated in patients with > 20% bridging without intervention [10].

Adjunctive Therapies

  • Adding thoracic extension exercises or thoracic kinesio taping to shoulder exercises results in significant improvements in activity-related pain and self-reported disability for adults with subacromial pain syndrome, exceeding previously reported MCID values [21].

Practical Considerations

  • There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment for low-risk ankle fractures in children among supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts [7].
  • Supportive bandages, removable splints, and walking casts for low-risk ankle fractures in children are well tolerated with similar complication rates [7].
  • Pain and functional outcomes after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are comparable between three-week immobilization and no immobilization [9].
  • Between one and five years after randomization, scaphoid waist fracture union consolidated in patients with > 20% bridging without intervention [10].
  • Definitive randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the efficacy of waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children [11].
  • Definitive randomized controlled trials are required to investigate the cost-effectiveness of waterproof casts for upper limb fractures in children [11].
  • Limitations in the current state of 3D-printed orthoses include small sample sizes [15].
  • Limitations in the current state of 3D-printed orthoses include a lack of standardized assessment methods [15].
  • Limitations in the current state of 3D-printed orthoses include durability concerns [15].
  • Further research is required to address limitations in the current state of 3D-printed orthoses [15].
  • Initial cast immobilization with fixation for nonunion is the optimal treatment for adults with scaphoid waist fractures [17].
  • Small quality-adjusted life year gains for initial surgical fixation of scaphoid waist fractures were not sufficient to justify the higher costs compared to initial cast immobilization [17].
  • Use of a codesigned patient decision aid in practice for total knee arthroplasty decisions was feasible [18].

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)
  • [L2] There remains equipoise regarding the best treatment of these injuries, with all three treatments appearing well tolerated with similar complication rates. [7] (10.1302/0301-620x.107b1.bjj-2024-0354.r1)
  • [L1] Hence, orthoses offer a good alternative to plaster casts, especially for stable fracture types. [8] (10.1186/s12891-026-09585-4)
  • [L1] The pain and functional outcomes are comparable to those obtained with a 3-week immobilization period. [9] (10.1016/j.jse.2025.02.015)
  • [L1] Between one and five years after randomization, union consolidated in those with > 20% bridging without intervention. [10] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0125.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. [11] (10.1302/0301-620x.107b6.bjj-2025-0011)
  • [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. [12] (10.1177/17531934251413908)
  • [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)
  • [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. [14] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0122.r1)
  • [L1] However, limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of standardized assessment methods, and durability concerns must be addressed through further research. [15] (10.1186/s12891-025-09070-4)
  • [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. [16] (10.1002/ksa.70303)
  • [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. [17] (10.1302/0301-620x.108b1.bjj-2025-0116.r1)
  • [L1] Use of the aid in practice was feasible. [18] (10.1016/j.arth.2025.05.104)
  • [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 embrace technique yielded equivalent outcomes compared with suture button fixation for managing syndesmotic injuries. [20] (10.1186/s13018-025-06620-3)
  • [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. [21] (10.1016/j.jse.2026.02.001)

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] 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

[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] 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

[10] 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

[11] 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

[12] 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

[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] 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

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

[16] 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

[17] 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

[18] 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

[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] 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

[21] 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

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 -- Definitions.

a. Adapted Material means material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights that is derived from or based upon the Licensed Material and in which the Licensed Material is translated, altered, arranged, transformed, or otherwise modified in a manner requiring permission under the Copyright and Similar Rights held by the Licensor. For purposes of this Public License, where the Licensed Material is a musical work, performance, or sound recording, Adapted Material is always produced where the Licensed Material is synched in timed relation with a moving image.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. Copyright and Similar Rights means copyright and/or similar rights closely related to copyright including, without limitation, performance, broadcast, sound recording, and Sui Generis Database Rights, without regard to how the rights are labeled or categorized. For purposes of this Public License, the rights specified in Section 2(b)(1)-(2) are not Copyright and Similar Rights.

d. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

e. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

f. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

g. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

h. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

i. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

j. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

k. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

l. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 -- Scope.

a. License grant.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

a. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

b. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.

2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

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.