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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.
What is the purpose of the splint and why?
A splint is a rigid or flexible device that maintains in position a displaced or movable part, also used to keep in place and protect an injured part to support healing and to prevent further damage.
When would you apply a splint to a person what does it do?
Splint is used to: Provide pain relief of the fractured limb. Support bone ends of the fracture site. Bones ends of the fracture site are very sharp. A splint helps prevent bone protruding through the skin, soft skin and tissue damage, as well as bleeding.
Is a splint used to immobilize a fracture?
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 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.
What are 4 types of splints?
Splint Types 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.
How long does 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.
How tight should splints be?
if you have NUMBNESS/TINGLING of your fingers/hand/arm/toes/foot/leg. Remember: move them!!! if your cast feels TOO TIGHT. Your cast was applied in such a way as to minimize excessive movement and therefore should be snug but NOT too tight (there is a difference!).
What are the types of splint?
Commonly Used Splints and Casts Area of injury Type of splint Forearm/wrist Volar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tong Elbow/forearm Long arm posterior, double sugar-tong Knee Posterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizer Tibia/fibula Posterior ankle (mid-shaft and distal fractures), bulky Jones.
Is a splint better than a cast?
Splints, also known as half-casts, provide less support than casts, but are faster and easier to use. They also can be tightened or loosened easily if the swelling in the arm or leg increases or decreases.
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.
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.
Should I sleep with finger splint on?
Always wear the splint full time when you sleep. When we sleep, all of us naturally curl up our fingers without realizing it. In fact, after the initial 6-week healing period, you will need to sleep in the splint for another 2 months.
Should you wear a splint to bed?
“If you have had a fall or think you may have fractured your hand or wrist, it is OK to wear a brace overnight until you can get to the doctor’s office,” says Dr. Delavaux. “But be sure to get it checked out, especially if the pain doesn’t get better after a day or two.” Basal joint arthritis.
Can I remove my splint to shower?
Tape a sheet of plastic to cover your splint when you take a shower or bath, unless your doctor said you can take it off while bathing. If you can take the splint off when you bathe, pat the area dry after bathing and put the splint back on. If your splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer.
What is the best form of splint?
There are two ways to splint an injury: Tie the injured part to a stiff object, such as rolled-up newspapers or magazines, a stick, or a cane. You can use a rope, belt, or tape as a tie. Fasten it (buddy-tape) to some other part of the body. For example, wrap an injured arm to your chest.
What is splint easy?
A splint is defined as “a rigid or flexible device that maintains in position a displaced or movable part; also used to keep in place and protect an injured part” or as “a rigid or flexible material used to protect, immobilize, or restrict motion in a part”. Splints can also be used to relieve pain in damaged joints.
How do vacuum splints work?
A vacuum splint is a device like a small vacuum mattress that is used in emergency medicine as a temporary splint. Vacuum splints operate by extracting air from the splint itself to enable the thousands of polystyrene balls inside the splint to mold around the injured body part similar to an orthopedic cast.
What’s the difference between a splint and a brace?
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.
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.
Does a splint reduce swelling?
Casts and splints support and protect injured bones and soft tissue. When you break a bone, your doctor will put the pieces back together in the right position. Casts and splints hold the bones in place while they heal. They also reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasm.
