1. Mechanical Immobilization
Chapter 25:
Mechanical Immobilization

2. Purposes of Mechanical Immobilization
These people have suffered trauma to musculoskeletal system
Relieves pain and muscle spasm
Supports and aligns skeletal injuries
Restricts movement while injuries heal
Maintains a functional position until healing is complete
Allows activity while restricting movement of an injured area
Prevents further structural damage and deformity

3. Question Is the following statement true or false?
Mechanical immobilization of a body part can relieve muscular pain.

4. Answer
True.
Most clients who require mechanical immobilization have suffered trauma to the musculoskeletal system. Mechanical immobilization relieves muscular pain and spasms.

5. Splints Emergency splints Commercial splints
Inflatable splints- becomes rigid when air is supplied
Traction splints-metal device that pulls on contracted muscles

6. Splints Immobilizers-made cloth, foam and velcro
Molded splints- rigid material; used for chronic conditions
Cervical collars

7. Question Is the following statement true or false?
A splint is a device that mobilizes and protects an injured body part.

8. Answer
False.
A splint is a device that immobilizes and protects an injured body part. Splints are used before or instead of casts or traction.

9. Mechanical Immobilizing Devices
Slings
Braces
Types of braces
Prophylactic(A)
Rehabilitative©
Functional(B)

10. Question Is the following statement true or false?
Braces that allow protected motion of an injured joint that has been treated operatively are called rehabilitative braces.

11. Answer
True.
Braces that allow protected motion of an injured joint that has been treated operatively belong to the category of rehabilitative braces.

12. Casts Casts are used to immobilize injured body structures
Types of casts
Cylinder cast
Body cast
Bivalved cast
Spica cast

13. Cast materials Plaster of Paris(POP)
Advantages-inexpensive, easy to apply, low incidence of allergic reaction
Disadvantage-takes hours to dry, heavy, prone to cracking, weight bearing only after it dries, softens when wet
Fiberglass
Advantages-light weight, porous, dries in 5-15 min. allows for weight bearing immediately, durable, unaffected by water
Disadvantage-Expensive, not recommended for severe injuries with swelling, macerates skin if padding becomes wet, Cast edges can be sharp and cause skin abrasions.

14. Casts (cont’d)
Cast application and care-Prepare client, assemble supplies and assist doctor in application
Fiberglass requires UV light to harden
Cast removal
Electric cast cutter may frighten clients due to noise
Skin care important after cast removal

15. Traction
Traction: pulling effect exerted on a part of the skeletal system
Uses
Reducing muscle spasms
Realigning bones
Relieving pain
Preventing deformities

16. Traction (cont’d) Traction types include: Manual
Skin-pelvic belt or cervical halter
Skeletal

17. Traction (cont’d) Traction care External fixator
Pin site care to prevent infection
Effective traction depends on consistent application of traction principles

18. External Fixators
Metal devices surgically inserted into or through one or more broken bones to stabilize during healing

19. Question An external fixator is inserted through which body part?
a. Nostrils
b. Broken bones
c. Mouth
d. A gaping wound in the leg

20. Answer
b. Broken bones
An external fixator is a metal device inserted into and through one or more broken bones to stabilize fragments during healing.

21. Nursing Implications Nursing diagnoses include:
Acute pain; impaired physical mobility or bed mobility
Risk for disuse syndrome, peripheral neurovascular dysfunction, impaired skin integrity, ineffective tissue perfusion
Self-care deficit: bathing/hygiene