Background

Splinting techniques are used to treat musculoskeletal system abnormalities. The main indications for splinting
are to temporarily immobilize a limb for pain and spasm, to decrease swelling, and to minimize further potential
soft tissue or neurovascular injuries associated with contusions, sprains, lacerations, fractures, dislocations, or
painful joints due to inflammatory disorders. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Indications
Indications for splinting include the following:

Temporary immobilization of sprains, fractures, and reduced dislocations

Control of pain
Prevention of further soft tissue or neurovascular injuries

Contraindications
There are no absolute contraindications to the use of splints in the emergent setting or in the field to stabilize
for transport. For use as a temporary immobilizing device either until follow-up (eg, for stable fractures) or until
definitive treatment can be performed (eg, ankle fractures), relative contraindications include the following:

Open fractures
Impending compartment syndrome
Neurovascular compromise
Developing or active reflex sympathetic dystrophy