Rigidly applied, it helps to cure (6)

I believe the answer is:

splint

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'to cure' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for splint that I've seen before include "Fire-lighting wood; aid to bone setting" , "It holds broken bones" , "Fire lighter" , "'It's used to immobilise a broken leg, say (6)'" , "Bone setting support" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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