Immobilization splints are rigid supports used to immobilize injured body parts like fractures or soft tissue injuries. They are different than casts in that they do not fully encircle the injured area. The main goals of splinting are to reduce inflammation from trauma or arthritis, control pain, and provide external support. Splints are initially used to rest injured tissues and encourage healing after trauma. They can also provide relief for inflammatory arthritis conditions. Splints allow for swelling and are easier to apply and remove than casts. Potential complications include infection, joint stiffness, and skin breakdown. Splints are indicated for fractures, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, and lacerations, but are contraindicated for conditions requiring surgery or with high infection

1. Immobilization Splints
Presented by Siti Nur Rifhan Kamaruddin

2. DEFINITION
• Splint is a rigid support with padding made with
metal, plastic or plaster.
• Non- circumferential immobilizer
• Splints are different than Casts
(circumferential immobilizer)

3. Splints
Casts

4. Goals of Splinting
Reduction of
Inflammation
from
TRAUMA
Reduction of
Inflammation
from Arthritis
Control of
Pain
Provision of
External
Support
Substitute for
Absent, Weak or
Imbalance
Muscle

5. 1) Reduction of Inflammation from
Trauma
• Resting hand tissues reduces inflammation to
encourage orderly healing without disruptive
external influences
• Initial choice for the acutely injured part
• Splinting should cease when possible to
minimize negative effects : atrophy and
stiffening which rapidly occurs in the
immobilized hand.

6. 2) Reduction of Inflammation from
Arthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis response positively to
rest but this rest may be short-lived – daily
symptomatic relief.
• Splinting to provide rest + other treatments =
recognized as standard protocol

7. 3) Control of Pain
• Without infection, rest of the acutely injured
hand can reduce pain
• A delicate balance between rest to reduce
painful inflammation and exercise to main
tissue glide can be accomplished by a
removable splint.

8. 4) External Support
• Provide external support for internal
structures.
• Unstable joints from trauma or arthritis can
benefit from splinting – symptom relief or as
substitute for surgery.

9. INDICATIONS FOR SPLINT
• Fractures
• Soft tissues injuries (sprains, tendons)
• Inflammatory conditions: Arthritis, Tenosynovitis
• Laceration over joints

10. CONTRAINDICATIONS OF SPLINT
• Compartment Syndrome
• Need for open reduction
• Skin at high risk for infection

11. Advantages & Disadvantages
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Faster and easier to apply Lack of patient compliance
Allow for the natural
swelling
Excessive motion at injury
site
Less risk for pressure-
related complications
Limitations in their usage.
Some injury require
casting
Can be removed more
easily

12. COMPLICATIONS
• Compartment syndrome : Increase pressure
within a close space compromises blood flow
and tissue perfusion
• Ischemia and damage to soft tissues
• Infection
• Joint stiffness
• Thermal injuries to the skin
• Skin breakdown / pressure sores.

13. REFERENCES
• https://handlab.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Principles-of-Splinting-
and-Splint-Prescription.pdf
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0901/p491.html
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p16.html

14. THANK YOU!