SPLINTING

EXTREMITIES
GROUP 2B
Radovan, Rachel Grace
Ryu, Bomi
Tuazon, Czarina Isabela
Tubasco, Ace Joshua
Tugad, Jezza Bhel
Ysmael, Ma. Jorgia NIchole
 Splinting
Splinting is the most common
procedure for immobilizing an
injury.
Which is a device that immobilizes
and protects an injured body part.
Splints are used before or instead of
casts or traction.
 Why Do We Splint?
To stabilize the extremity
To decrease pain
Actually treat the injury
Indications for splinting
Not just for Fractures
Sprains
Joint Infections
Tenosynovitis
Lacerations over joints
Puncture wounds and animal bites of
the hands and feet
Complications
Neurovascular compromise
Pressure sores
Contact dermatitis
Possible items for Splinting
Soft materials. Towels, blankets, or pillows,
tied with bandaging materials or soft cloths.

Rigid materials. A board, metal strip, folded

magazine or newspaper, or other rigid item.
 Soft Splints
Splinting Using a Towel
Splinting using a towel, in which the
towel is rolled up and wrapped
around the limb, then tied in place.
 Rigid Splints
Inflexible device used to
maintain stability
Must be long enough to be
secured above and below
fracture site
Splint Materials
 Guidelines for Splinting
1. Support the injured area.
2. Splint injury in the position
that you find it.
3. Dont try to realign bones.
4. Check for color, warmth, and
sensation.
5. Immobilize above and below
the injury.
The splint should go beyond the joints
above and below the fractured or
dislocated bone to prevent these from
moving
 Maintaining and restoring
function
Restlessness, anxiety, and discomfort are controlled
with a variety of approaches, such as reassurance,
position changes, and pain relief strategies, including
use of analgesics.

Exercises are encouraged to minimize disuse atrophy

and to promote circulation.
Participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) is
encouraged to promote independent functioning
and self-esteem.
 To Apply SPLINT..
All fractures and dislocations should be
stabilized before the victim is moved.
Cover open wounds with sterile dressing.
Check circulation, sensation, and movement
(CSM).
If pulses are absent:
Gently line up a fracture or dislocation.
Do not force anything into position.
Warn the victim.
 Use the rule of thirds.
If the injury is located in the upper
or lower third of a bone:
Assume the nearest joint is injured.
Extend the splint above and below the joint.

If the injury is located in the middle

third:
Stabilize the joints above and below the
fracture.
Place an injured arm in a sling and swathe .
 If two first aiders are present:
One should support the injury site.
The other does the splinting.
When possible, place splint
materials on both sides of the
injured part.
With rigid splints, use extra
padding.
 Apply splints firmly, but do not
restrict blood flow.
Check CSM.

Use RICE (rest, ice, compression, and

elevation).
Elevate.
Do not apply ice packs if pulse
is absent.
Possible spinal injuries take
precedence.
Tell the victim not to move.
Place rolled blankets on each side
of neck and torso.
It is usually best to wait for
emergency medical services (EMS)
personnel.
 Seek medical care for:
Extremity without a pulse
Open fracture
Dislocation
Joint injury with moderate or
severe swelling
Deformity, tenderness, or swelling
over the bone
 Seek medical care for (contd):
Victims unable to walk or bear weight
Snaps, crackles, or pops
Hot, tender, swollen, or painful injured
areas, especially a joint
Uncertainty whether a bone was broken
Lack of rapid improvement
 Slings
An open triangular bandage can
be used as a sling.
A folded triangular bandage,
known as a cravat, can be used
as a swathe in conjunction with a
sling.
 Applying a Sling to Upper
Arm, Forearm, or Hand/Wrist
Hold victims arm
slightly away from chest
with wrist and hand
slightly higher than tip
of elbow.
Place a triangular
bandage between
forearm and chest.
Pull upper end of
bandage over uninjured
shoulder.
 Bring the lower end of the
bandage over the forearm.
 Bring end of bandage
around neck to the
uninjured side.
Tie the other end at the
hollow above the clavicle.
Secure point of the
bandage at the elbow.
Applying a Sling to Upper
Arm, Forearm, or Hand/Wrist
Place a swathe around
the upper arm and
body.
Thumb-up position
Place padding
underneath both knots.
Adjust the sling.
Only the fingers should
be exposed.
Applying a Sling to Clavicle/Shoulder

Hold arm away from the

chest.
Place bandage between
forearm and chest.
Pull the upper end over
the uninjured shoulder.
Bring other end over the
forearm.
 Continue bringing
the lower end of
the bandage around
the victims back.
 Place a swathe around the chest and
forearm.
Center should be placed over forearm.
Thumb-up position, slightly above elbow
When Bandages or Other
Resources Are Unavailable
Place the hand inside a buttoned jacket.
Use a belt, necktie, etc. around the neck and
injured arm.
 Pin the sleeve of the shirt or jacket to
the clothing.
Turn up lower edge of victims jacket
or shirt over injured arm.
Shoulder and Upper Arm Sling
Support injured arm away
from the chest.
Place bandage between
forearm and the chest.
Pull upper end over the
uninjured shoulder.
 Bring lower end of
bandage over forearm,
under armpit, and
around the back.
Tie ends.
Check pulse and nail
color.
The hand should be in a
thumb-up position.
Humerus Splinting

Stabilize with a rigid

splint.
Place the injured arm
across the chest.
If available, tie a rigid
splint to outside of
arm.
 Loop a cravat or strap around wrist and
neck.
Secure the arm to the chest with a swathe.
Splinting an Elbow in the
Bent Position
Place a rigid splint from
the upper arm to the
wrist.
Tie a rigid splint onto the
arm with cravat bandages.
 Place the arm in a sling.
Check CSM (Circulation,
Sensation, Movement)
Splinting an Elbow in the
Straight Position
Place a rigid splint along the inside of
the arm from the hand to the armpit.
 Secure with a roller bandage or several
cravat bandages.
Check CSM.
Forearm Splinting
Use one rigid splint from palm
past the elbow.
Use a second rigid splint on
opposite side of arm.
 Place splints on both sides of forearm.
Secure with a cravat or roller
bandage.
 Place arm in a sling.
A binder or swathe
around the body is
recommended.
Keep the thumb in the
upright position.
Wrist, Hand, and Finger
Splinting
Three methods:
Place a rolled pair
of socks or a roller
bandage in palm.
Attach a rigid
splint.
 Three methods (contd):
Mold a pillow around hand
and forearm.
Tie with cravats or
roller bandage.
Buddy tape fingers
together.
Pelvis and Hip Splinting
Stabilize victim in position found.
Treat for shock.
Do not lift legs.
Wait for EMS.
Use a long backboard.
Femur Splinting
Best splinted with a traction
splint
Two methods:
Place a folded blanket between
victims legs.
Tie the injured leg to the uninjured leg
with several cravats or bandages.
 Two methods (contd):
Place one board between
the victims legs.
Place another board
along the victims side.
The boards must be well
padded.
Tie the boards to the leg
and body securely.
Splinting a Knee
Always stabilize an injured knee in the
position in which you found it.
Splinting a Knee in the
Straight Position
Lift the injured leg and place a rigid splint
under the leg that extends from the
buttocks to beyond the foot.
 Place cravat bandages under the rigid splint.
Place soft padding under the knee and ankle.
 Tie the cravat bandages.
Do not tie the knots over the injured
area.
Splinting a Knee in the Bent
Position
Place a rigid splint against injured leg.
Tie a cravat bandage around the splint and
lower leg.
 Tie a cravat bandage around the
splint and thigh.
Tie knots over the splint.
Splinting the Lower Leg
There are two methods of splinting.
Splinting the Lower Leg
Self-Splint Method
Place padding between
the legs.
Push the cravat
bandages under the leg
with a thin board.
 Tie the legs together.
Tie knots between the legs, over the padding.
Splinting the Lower Leg
Rigid Splint Method
Place one rigid splint on
the outside and another
inside.
Push the cravat bandages
under the leg with a thin
board.
 Tie both splints and leg together with cravat
bandages.
Tie knots on top of the splint.
Ankle and Foot Splinting
Treat ankle and foot
injuries with RICE
procedures.
To further stabilize an
ankle, wrap a pillow or
folded blanket around
the ankle and foot, and
tie with cravats.