Tony Suharsono

SPLINTING
Goal of Splinting
Decrease pain
Limit bone and soft tissue injury
Minimize damage to nerves, arteries,
and veins
Type of Splint
Soft splint : non rigid, such as pillow
Hard splint : a firm, rigid surface such as
a board
Air splint : inflatable splint, which provide
rigidity without being hard
Traction splint : splint that support
fractures, decrease angulation, and
provide traction
General Splinting Principles
First, assess neurovasculer status to
determine a baseline for future
comparison
Remove all jewelry and (preferably)
clothing from the injured area
Assemble equipment and padding
before moving the injured part
Solicit adequate personnel to assist with
splint application
General Splinting Principles
Immobilize the joints proximal and distal
to the injury
Correct severe angulation only if it is
imposible to apply a splint in the current
position or if neurovasculer is
compromized
Ensure that splint are well padded
Secure the injured part to the splint. Do
not impair circulation by securing too
tightly
General Splinting Principles
Reassess neuromuscular status after
splinting or moving the injured site
Avoid snug splints or cast when the risk
of compartement syndrome is high
Careful consideration is required before
splinting or casting infected wounds
Patient Education And Discharge
Instruction
Return to the emergency department,
the orthopedic clinic, or your provate
physician in 24 hours for follow up care
Keep the cast or splint dry
Elevate the injured limb above heart
level for the first 24 hours
Do not place sharp object inside the cast
Patient Education And Discharge
Instruction
If the skin under the cast itches, blow
cool air down the cast or try to
scratching the opposite extremity
Wiggle the digits at least once each hour
Seek urgent medical care for the
following:
Digits that are cold or hot
Digits that are blue or mottled
Numbness, tingling, or decrease digital
sensation
Foreign object in the cast
Cast that become too tight