SPLINTING A FOREARM

Skill:

Support arm. Check circulation.

Position arm on rigid splint.

Secure splint.

Check circulation.

Wrist Injuries

Sprains Fractures

Splinting Wrist Injuries

Goal is to stabilize from forearm to handSoft splint and sling often sufficientRigid splint provides more supportAssess circulation, sensation, movement in

hand and fingers

Wrist InjuriesApply rigid splint on

palm side of arm from forearm past fingertips

Tie above and below wrist

Leave fingers uncovered

Support forearm and wrist with sling and apply binder around upper arm and chest

Hand Injuries

May be injured by direct blowFractures occur when patient punches

something with closed fist

Splinting Hand Injuries

Goal is immobilization of hand Use soft or rigid splint

Place roll of gauze in palmBandage entire handPlace rigid splint on palm side of hand. Pad

between hand and splintSupport further with sling and swathe

Finger Injuries

Fractures and dislocations

Often splint not required

Use rigid splint or anatomic splint

Splinting Finger Injuries

Use soft splint if finger cannot be straightened without pain

Don’t manipulate finger into normal position

Use rigid splint, secured with tapeTape finger to adjoining finger with gauze in

between

Lower Extremity Injuries

Larger forces are typically involved Forces may also cause spinal injury

Assess patient, without moving extremity Femur fracture can damage femoral artery

Hip and Pelvis Injuries

Fractures and dislocations A hip fracture = fracture of top part of

femurFractures more common in elderly Bleeding and pain may be severeDislocations occur at any age

Falls Vehicular crashes Blows to body

Hip Injuries

Do not move patientImmobilize leg and

hip in position foundPad between legs

and bandage together (unless this causes more pain)

Treat for shock but do not elevate legs

Upper Leg Injuries

Femur fractures serious Severe pain/shock may occurKeep patient from moving Use rigid splint if lying down with leg

supported by groundUse folded blankets/coats to immobilize leg

in position found

Splinting Upper Leg Injuries

Anatomic splintRigid splints

Splinting Upper Leg Injuries continued

Check circulation and sensation in foot and toes

Put rigid splint on each side of leg Pad body areas and voids Inside splint should extend from groin

past foot Outside splint should extend from armpit

past foot

Traction Splint for Femur Fractures

Traction splint maintains continual pull on femur to keep bone ends in normal position

First Responders usually assist other EMS personnel

Knee Injuries

Sprains DislocationsCaused by sports injuries, motor vehicle

crashes, fallsFemur, tibia or fibula fractures

indistinguishable from knee injuries

Splinting Knee Injuries

Splint in position found Apply soft splint by rolling blanket or

placing pillow around knee If knee straight, make anatomical

splint

Splinting the Knee

If possible, put rigid splint on both sides of leg

Pad body areas and voidsCheck circulation and sensation in foot

and toes first and periodically after splinting

Splinting the Knee

If knee is straight apply two splints along both sides of knee

If knee is bent, splint in position foundTie splints with cravats or bandages

Lower Leg Injuries

Many causesEither or both bones of lower leg can be

fractured

Lower Leg Injuries

Rigid splint applied the same as for knee injury Three-sided

cardboard splint can be used

SPLINTING THE LEG

(ANATOMIC)

Skill:

Check circulation.

Gently slide four to five strips of bandages under

both legs.

Pad between legs.

Gently slide uninjured leg

next to injured leg.

Tie bandagesand

Check circulation

Ankle Injuries

Commonly a sprain occurring when foot forcefully twisted to one side

Fractures or dislocations Often involve torn ligaments and

nerve/blood vessel damage

Splinting Ankle Injuries

Soft splint usually bestAssess circulation, sensation, movement in

toes

Foot Injuries

Commonly caused by direct blows/falls Involve almost any bone/ligament of footTreat same as ankle injuriesToe fractures can be very painful

Splinting Foot Injuries

Usually no splinting required Use pillow splint as for ankle injury if:

toe is significantly bent more than one toe involved foot is very painful

Rib Fractures

Typically caused by blunt trauma to chestMore common in lower ribs and along sideCause severe pain, discoloration, swellingPain often sharper upon breathing inPatient may breathe shallowly and

hold/support area

Splinting Rib Injuries

Goal is primarily supportiveHave patient sit/stand in easy breathing

positionSupport ribs with pillow or soft padding

loosely bandaged over area and under armImmobilize arm with sling and swatheMonitor breathing