Splinting

1. Splinting

2. Splinting Movement may worsen musculoskeletal injury and cause more pain Splint injured arm or leg if risk of area being moved (unless help expected quickly) Always splint an extremity before transporting victim

3. Splinting Helps prevent further injury Reduces pain Minimizes bleeding and swelling

4. Types of Splints Rigid splints Soft splints Air splints (inflatable splints) Pneumatic splints Anatomic splints

5. Rigid Splint • Board • Plastic or metal • Rolled newspaper or magazine • Thick cardboard

6. Soft Splint • Pillow • Folded blanket or towel • Triangular bandage folded into sling

7. Anatomic Splint • Bandage injured leg or finger to uninjured one

8. Commercial Splints Many commercial splints are available

9. Securing Splints Use bandages, strips of cloth, Velcro® Use knots that can be untied Don’t secure with tape

10. Guidelines for All Splints Dress open wounds Splint only if it doesn’t cause more pain Splint in position found Immobilize entire area Pad between splint and skin

11. Guidelines for Slings Use sling to prevent movement and to elevate extremity Splint injury first If you splint injury in position found and this position makes use of sling difficult – do not use sling

12. Guidelines for Slings continued Do not move arm into position for sling if it causes pain A cold pack can be used inside sling Do not cover fingers inside sling

13. Skill: Applying Arm Sling and Swathe

14. Secure point of bandage at elbow.

15. Position triangular bandage.

16. Bring lower end of bandage to opposite side of neck.

17. Tie the ends.

18. Tie binder bandage over sling and around chest.

19. Shoulder Injuries Involve clavicle, scapula, or joint structures Clavicle is most frequently fractured bone Scapula fractures are rare Shoulder dislocations are common

20. Splinting Shoulder Injuries Goal is to stabilize area from trunk to upper arm Use soft splint. Do not move extremity Assess for circulation, sensation, and movement

21. Shoulder Injuries • Pad hollow between body and arm • Apply sling and binder to support and immobilize arm • if this causes pain use larger soft splint

22. Upper Arm Injuries Immobilize humerus fractures with rigid splint Treat fractures near shoulder with soft splint

23. Splinting Upper Arm Injuries Stabilize bone between shoulder and elbow Assess circulation, sensation, movement in hand/fingers Apply rigid splint along outside of arm

24. Splinting Upper Arm Injuries continued Tie above injury and at elbow Support wrist with sling and wide swathe If it causes pain to raise wrist for a sling, use long rigid splint

25. Elbow Injuries Sprains and dislocations are common Fractures occur above or below elbow Patient unable to move joint

26. Splinting Elbow Injuries • If elbow bent, apply rigid splint from upper arm to wrist • If more support needed, use sling at wrist and binder around chest

27. Splinting Elbow Injuries If elbow straight, apply rigid splint from upper arm to hand If more support needed, use binders around chest and upper arm and lower arm and waist