This document provides guidance on splinting fractures and injuries. It describes splints as devices used to immobilize fractured bones or injured joints prior to medical treatment. The purposes of splinting are to immobilize the injured area, prevent further injury from bone fragments, reduce pain, and manage sprains and strains. General rules for splinting include using padding to support the injured area without interfering with circulation. Improvised materials like wood, cardboard or the body itself can be used to splint fractures until medical help arrives. The document provides specific guidance on splinting different areas, such as the upper arm, elbow, forearm, and lower extremities.

1. SPLINTING
Sharon Treesa Antony
Assistant Professor
Govt. College of Nursing Kottayam

2. • The splints are devices or means used temporarily for
immobilizing or supporting fractured bones or injured
joints prior to hospitalization or seeking medical help.
• They are mainly applied for fractures, sprains, strains or
dislocations.

3. Purposes
• To immobilize a fractured or injured body part prior to
hospitalization
• To prevent injury to blood vessels and nerves from jagged
edges of the bone
• To reduce pain induced by fracture
• To manage sprains and strains

4. General rules
• The splint should be large enough to cover the joint above and
below the fracture
• It should be wide enough to support the area
• It should be well padded to prevent injury to the limb
• It should applied without interference with circulation
• It may be applied over clothing or may be applied with a
cloth over the skin
• Splints may be improvised from piece of wood, card board,
thick folded paper, sticks etc
• The body parts of the casualty itself can be used for the
purpose.
( 1. in case of injured lower limb, uninjured limb may be used as
a splint,
2. for upper limb fracture, the trunk of the victim can be utilized
as a splint)

5. Basswood splints

6. Splinting fractures of upper limb
• Place a pad in the axilla to prevent pressure on blood
vessels and nerves.
• Place two padded splints, one in inner aspect (medial)
and the other on the outer ( lateral) aspect of the arm.
• Secure padded splints in position with triangular
bandages ( folded as cravats) or with roller bandage.
• Place forearm in sling to prevent movement.

7. Splinting for fractures at or near elbow
• Keep the arm at approximately 45 degree angle from the
body
• Apply padded splint to medial surface of the arm just
below axilla to wrist
• Apply another padded splint to lateral surface of the arm
extending from shoulder to wrist
• Secure splints in position with triangular bandages
( folded as cravats) or with roller bandage

8. Fracture of forearm, wrist hand
• Place padded splints on the medial and lateral aspect of
the forearm, wrist and hand
• Secure with triangular bandages/ roller bandage
• Place splinted arm in sling with the hand several inches
above the level of the elbow

9. Splinting fractures of lower extremities
• Can be splinted with the unaffected limb
• Padded wooden piece can be used

10. Improvised splints and slings for upper
extremities

11. Improvised splints and slings for upper
extremities

12. THANK YOU