Splinting Fracture Treatment

Splinting Fracture is a common method employed that supports and protects body parts that have sustained an injury. It employs a firm or semi-rigid splint device that dissuades the broken bones from moving and improves their healing.

Splints are extensively used for:

• Pain relief
• Support
• Deformity correction
• Immobilization

This procedure plays a pivot role in the initial treatment of many fractures. It helps to decrease pain, reddening, and the peril of enhanced damage to the injury area. Healing is also improved as bones are kept firm and rightly in their position.

Types

Some of the common types of splint include:

1. Static splints: 

• These hold your body part entirely still.

2. Static progressive splints: 

• These splints don’t let you move, but it’s adjustable.

3. Dynamic splints: 

• It allows the movement between the body parts that are injured. But only a specific amount your provider sets.

Benefits

A cast is heavier than splint, less sanitary, and might limit blood flow to a specific location.

Splints provide remedies to these difficulties and the benefits include:

• A mild immobilization and help for injured body parts.
• Faster healing and recuperation.
• Lighter and easier to carry.
• Not prone to neurovascular problems.
• A great level of adaptability and versatility.
• Greater freedom of movement.
• Allows for daily cleaning.
• Decrease in pain and discomfort.
• Cost-effective compared to a cast, surgery, or hospitalization.

Complications

Mostly these occur due to a lack of information. Complications can include:

1. Skin problems: 

• Padding that is not proper can cause irritation to skin and blisters. 

2. Restriction in blood flow: 

• A tight splint can obstruct the flow of blood causing tissue damage and complications like compartment syndrome. 

Stiff joint:

• If a splint is used for a long duration or in a position that is not correct, it can cause the joint to stiffen and a decrease in the range of motion.

Splinting Fracture and its Procedure

Mentioned below are the general steps involved in the process:

1. Assessing: 

• In the beginning your healthcare provider will analyze the fracture. It is done to find out the location and extent of the damage done to the injured bone. 

2. Getting ready: 

• The injury area will be cleaned, and any dirt or foreign particles will be removed from the site. If necessary, a local anesthetic may be administered to reduce the pain.

3. Stabilization: 

• The healthcare provider is now geared up to stabilize the fracture area. The affected limb is placed in a suitable position, and the fracture is immobilized. To keep the limb in a firm position, the below medical devices may be utilized:
• Bandages, padding, or a preformed splint.

4. Making the splint firm: 

• Once the fracture is stabilized, the healthcare provider will make the splint firm in its place. It involves bandages or medical tape. This makes sure pressure is evenly distributed so that blood flow is not affected in the given area.

5. Aftercare: 

• The patient is made aware of the different instructions to be followed to care for the splint. This may include keeping the area dry, prohibiting excessive movements, looking for signs of infection, and proper recovery.

How to Live With A Splint

Besides, splints facilitate an easy recovery and decrease the ongoing pain, there are some challenges in maintaining them. Some ideas to make your life easy include:

a) Abide by the doctor’s guidelines:

• It may include how to wear it, how much weight to put on the injured area, and when to remove it for therapy or exercises. 

b) Keep the damaged area elevated: 

• In order to decrease swelling, keep the affected limb on a pillow when resting or sitting.

c) Keep the edges dry: 

• Especially during a bath. You can cover the splint with a suitable plastic.

Use of comfortable clothes:

• Wear clothes that are comfortable and do not cause any obstacle to the fractured area. 
• See to it that you use the splinter as a notice and do not move the injury area outside of physical therapy.