Splinting

Splinting Movement may worsen musculoskeletal injury and cause more pain Splint injured arm or leg if risk of area being moved (unless help expected quickly) Always splint an extremity before transporting victim

Splinting Helps prevent further injury Reduces pain Minimizes bleeding and swelling

Types of Splints Rigid splints Soft splints Air splints (inflatable splints) Pneumatic splints Anatomic splints

Rigid Splint Board Plastic or metal Rolled newspaper or magazine Thick cardboard

Soft Splint Pillow Folded blanket or towel Triangular bandage folded into sling

Anatomic Splint Bandage injured leg or finger to uninjured one

Many commercial splints are available

Securing Splints Use bandages, strips of cloth, Velcro® Use knots that can be untied Don’t secure with tape

Guidelines for All Splints Dress open wounds Splint only if it doesn’t cause more pain Splint in position found Immobilize entire area Pad between splint and skin

Guidelines for Slings Use sling to prevent movement and to elevate extremity Splint injury first If you splint injury in position found and this position makes use of sling difficult – do not use sling

Guidelines for Slings continued Do not move arm into position for sling if it causes pain A cold pack can be used inside sling Do not cover fingers inside sling

Applying Arm Sling and Swathe Skill: Applying Arm Sling and Swathe

Secure point of bandage at elbow.

Position triangular bandage.

Bring lower end of bandage to opposite side of neck.

Tie the ends.

Tie binder bandage over sling and around chest.

Shoulder Injuries Involve clavicle, scapula, or joint structures Clavicle is most frequently fractured bone Scapula fractures are rare Shoulder dislocations are common

Splinting Shoulder Injuries Goal is to stabilize area from trunk to upper arm Use soft splint. Do not move extremity Assess for circulation, sensation, and movement

Shoulder Injuries Pad hollow between body and arm Apply sling and binder to support and immobilize arm if this causes pain use larger soft splint

Upper Arm Injuries Immobilize humerus fractures with rigid splint Treat fractures near shoulder with soft splint

Splinting Upper Arm Injuries Stabilize bone between shoulder and elbow Assess circulation, sensation, movement in hand/fingers Apply rigid splint along outside of arm

Splinting Upper Arm Injuries continued Tie above injury and at elbow Support wrist with sling and wide swathe If it causes pain to raise wrist for a sling, use long rigid splint

Elbow Injuries Sprains and dislocations are common Fractures occur above or below elbow Patient unable to move joint

Splinting Elbow Injuries If elbow bent, apply rigid splint from upper arm to wrist If more support needed, use sling at wrist and binder around chest

Splinting Elbow Injuries If elbow straight, apply rigid splint from upper arm to hand If more support needed, use binders around chest and upper arm and lower arm and waist