methods of splinting limbs after traumatic event.

1. SPLINTING IN SPORTS
-Dr. Krupal Modi(MPT)
-30/8/2018

2. TOPICS TO BE COVERED
• INTRODUCTION
• DEFINITION
• TYPES OF SPLINTS
• APPLICATION OF SPLINTS:
UPPER EXTREMITY
LOWER EXTREMITY

3. Why Do We Splint?
• During acute injury, to Reduce pain.
• Prevent damage to muscles, nerves, and blood
vessels.
• Prevent a closed fracture from becoming an open
fracture.
• Reduce bleeding and swelling.
• Prevent a fractured bone from moving into soft
tissues.

4. INTRODUCTION
• Immobilization of an injured extremity begins at the scene
of the accident.
• According to Advanced Trauma Life Support guidelines,
the injured extremity must be aligned and immobilized
after the appropriate management of any life-threatening
problems.
• Prehospital immobilization of fractures is invaluable for
pain control, prevention of soft tissue injury, prevention of
any new or further injury to neurovascular structures, and
management of edema.

5. • External immobilization with splinting or casting is often
the definitive management of injured extremities in the
Emergency Department.
• Splints are commonly used for the immobilization of upper
and lower extremity injuries. A splint is a hard bandage
that is not circumferential and prevents movement of
the fracture site.
• Splints have the distinct advantage of being quick, easy to
apply, and they are designed to accommodate postinjury
swelling.
DEFINITION

6. • The major Disadvantages of splints are that they provide
slightly less rigid immobilization than casting and require a
Physician visit within a few days to be replaced with a cast.
• Splints can be ready-made or can be made from basic
materials.
• For example, a person could use branches, boards, layers of
cardboard, or a foam sleeping pad. Wrapping materials for the
splint can include large hankerchief, climbing webbing, torn
shirts, pants, or other pieces of clothing. These materials
should be wrapped completely around the splinted extremity to
secure the splint but should not be so tight as to block
circulation.

7. • Unless the person who is injured is in a dangerous setting
(for example, in the middle of a road), all injuries should
be splinted before the person is moved to minimize
further injury.

8. • A basic rule of splinting is that the joint above and
below the broken bone should be immobilized to
protect the fracture site.
• For example, if the lower leg is broken, the splint should
immobilize both the ankle and the knee.
• Pulses and sensation should be checked below the splint
at least once per hour. If the person complains of
tightness, tingling, or numbness, the wrapping material
should be released completely, and the splint should be
rewrapped more loosely.

9. Types of Splints
1) Rigid splint:
• Inflexible device used to maintain stability
• Must be long enough to be secured above and below
fracture site

10. 2) Soft splint:
• Pillow
• Useful for lower leg
• Useful for forearm
3) Self-splint, or anatomic splint:
• Uses the body
• Injured extremity tied to an
uninjured part.

11. 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.

12. Applying a Sling to Upper Arm,
Forearm, or Hand/Wrist
Step-1: Hold injured athlets’s 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.
Step-2: Bring the lower end of the
bandage over the forearm.

13. Applying a Sling to Upper Arm,
Forearm, or Hand/Wrist
Step-3: 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.
• Step-4: 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.

14. Applying a Sling to Clavicle/Shoulder
Step-1: 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.
• Step-2: Continue bringing the lower end of the
bandage around the athlets’s back.

15. Applying a Sling to
Clavicle/Shoulder
Step-3: Place a swathe around the chest and forearm.
• Center should be placed over forearm.
• Thumb-up position, slightly above elbow.

16. 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.

17. When Bandages or Other
Resources Are Unavailable
• Pin the sleeve of the
shirt or jacket to the
clothing.
• Turn up lower edge of
person’s jacket or shirt
over injured arm.

18. Humerus Splinting
Step-1:Stabilize with a rigid
splint.
• Place the injured arm across
the chest.
• If available, tie a rigid splint to
outside of arm.
Step-2: Loop a cravat or
strap around wrist and neck.
• Secure the arm to the chest
with a swathe.

19. 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).

20. Splinting an Elbow in the
Straight Position
Step-1: Place a rigid splint along the
inside of the arm from the hand to the
armpit.
Step-2: Secure with a roller bandage or
several cravat bandages.
Check CSM.

21. 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.

22. Forearm Splinting
• Place arm in a sling.
• A binder or swathe around the
body is recommended.
• Keep the thumb in the upright
position.

23. Wrist, Hand, and Finger Splinting
1) Place a rolled pair of
socks or a roller bandage in
palm. Attach a rigid splint.
2) Mold a pillow around
hand and forearm.Tie with
cravats or roller bandage.
3) Buddy tape fingers
together.

24. Gutter Splint
• Gutter splints are
used for:
• Phalangeal fractures
• Metacarpal fractures
• Two types: radial and
ulnar

25. Pelvis and Hip Splinting
• Stabilize the person in position he is found.
• Treat for shock.
• Do not lift legs.
• Wait for Emergency medical sevices.
• Use a long backboard.

26. Femur Splinting
• Best splinted with a traction splint
• Two methods:
1) Place a folded blanket between person’s legs.
• Tie the injured leg to the uninjured leg with
several cravats or bandages.

27. Femur Splinting
• Two methods (cont’d):
2) Place one board
between the person’s
legs.
• Place another board
along the person’s side.
• The boards must be well
padded.
• Tie the boards to the leg
and body securely.

28. Splinting a Knee
Always stabilize an injured knee
in the position in which you
found it.
Splinting a Knee in the
Straight Position :
Step-1: Lift the injured leg
and place a rigid splint
under the leg that extends
from the buttocks to
beyond the foot.

29. Splinting a Knee in the
Straight Position
Step-2: Place cravat bandages under
the rigid splint.
• Place soft padding under the knee
and ankle.
• Step-3: Tie the cravat bandages.
• Do not tie the knots over the
injured area.

30. 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.

31. Splinting the Lower Leg
There are two methods of splinting.
1) Self-Splint Method
Step-1: Place padding
between the legs.
• Push the cravat bandages
under the leg with a thin
board.

32. Splinting the Lower Leg
• Step-2: Tie the legs together.
• Tie knots between the legs,
over the padding.

33. Splinting the Lower Leg
2) 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.

34. Posterior Leg Splint
• This splint is used
for:
• Distal leg fractures
• Ankle fractures
• Tarsal fractures
• Metatarsal fractures

35. Stirrup Splint
• To prevent inversion
or eversion of the
ankle
• Immobilizes the ankle
for fractures near the
ankle
• Apply from below the
knee and wrap
around the ankle

36. 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.

37. Buddy taping of toes
• Secure the fractured
toe to the adjacent
toe with adhesive
strips
• Sheet wadding
between toes
prevents maceration