What is a splint used for? Any suspected fracture (broken bone) or dislocation should be splinted, immobilized, or both. An
effective splint helps to prevent further injury and to provide substantial pain relief
.
What is the purpose of splinting a fracture?
Casts & Splints. Casts and splints are orthopedic devices that are used to protect and support fractured or injured bones and joints. They
help to immobilize the injured limb to keep the bone in place until it fully heals
. Casts are often made from fiberglass or plaster.
Why are fractures splinted?
The main purpose of splinting is
to immobilize the joints and bones above and below the fracture site
. This is to prevent bone edges from moving and damaging other muscles, vessels, or nerves and further complications.
Why did I get a splint instead of a cast?
Splints – also known as “half-casts” –
provide less support than casts
, but are easier to use and can be adjusted. They also can be tightened or loosened easily if the swelling in the arm or leg increases or decreases.
What is a splint and how is it used?
A splint is a
piece of medical equipment used to keep an injured body part from moving and to protect it from any further damage
. Splinting is often used to stabilize a broken bone while the injured person is taken to the hospital for more advanced treatment.
What are 3 things you should not do while splinting?
Never stick items under your splint to scratch the skin
. Do not use oils or lotions near your splint. If the skin becomes red or sore around the edge of the splint, you may pad the edges with a soft material, such as moleskin, or use tape to cover the edges.
Does a hairline fracture need a cast?
Treatment for a hairline fracture looks different than that of a more severe fracture.
You likely won’t need a cast
, but the doctor may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your arm immobile. You should also rest your arm and use ice to control the pain.
What to avoid while wearing a cast?
Plaster casts and fiberglass casts with conventional padding aren’t waterproof. Keep your child’s cast dry during baths or showers by covering it with two layers of plastic, sealed with a rubber band or duct tape.
Avoid swimming
while wearing a cast that isn’t waterproof.
When should a cast be removed after a fracture?
Once we’ve determined that a bone is indeed broken, the cast does not go on immediately. Instead, patients must usually
wait for about a week after the break
before being casted to allow time for swelling to go down.
Should a broken bone hurt in a cast?
Almost all broken bones and torn ligaments cause pain. The
cast should relieve some pain by limiting your movements
. Usually your pain will be less severe each day. If you were given pain medication to use, follow the directions on the package.
Does a nondisplaced fracture need a cast?
Displaced fractures will likely require surgery because the bones are unstable while
nondisplaced fractures normally only need to be immobilized in a cast for six weeks to properly heal
.
Can a bone move in a cast?
A cast, which keeps a
bone
from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.
Is there an alternative to a cast?
What Are Alternatives to Casts? More and more, we’re seeing
removable splints and walking boots
as an alternative to casts–or used before or after a cast is put in place. While these options aren’t a solution for all fractures, they work well for some patients and injuries.
What are 4 types of splints?
- Coaptation splint.
- Forearm volar splint
- Long arm posterior splint.
- Radial gutter splint.
- Sling and swathe splint.
- Sugar tong splint.
- Double sugar tong splint.
- Thumb spica splint.
What is the difference between brace and splint?
Splints are often used
temporarily when swelling is present
. They are usually replaced with a more permanent cast after the swelling goes down. A brace is made of hard plastic and can be removed by you or your child.
How long should a splint stay on?
A splint usually stays on for
several days to weeks
. If the injured area is very swollen, a splint may be used first to allow for that swelling. If you need a cast, your doctor will remove the splint and apply a cast. Casts that are kept in good condition can stay on for several weeks.
