Short and Long Posterior Splints for Leg Injuries

​We use splints to help immobilize and stabilize injuries, but it's important to realize splinting also alleviates pain and edema and promotes healing until follow-up. If you are ever concerned that there is a fracture (even if it's not apparent on radiograph, i.e., navicular fractures), splint your patient before discharge. If you have the luxury of orthopedic consult in-house, talk to him before discharge.​Indications for Short Posterior Splint-Fractures of the distal tibia and/or fibula-Ankle dislocations-Severe sprains-Fractures of the talus-Fractures of the calcaneus-Foot fractures such as fractures of the fifth metatarsal-Fractures of the cuboid, navicular, or cuneiformIndications for Long Posterior Splint-If you are discharging a patient, the only true indication for long leg posterior splints is for acute knee injuries and quadriceps tendon rupture. If a femur fracture or hip fracture is the concern, patients should be admitted for further workup and treatment by the orthopedic team in-house or by transfer.-Temporary application of long posterior leg splinting can be used for distal femur fracture, proximal tibia/fibula fracture, or dislocations of the knee until the patent gets further evaluation from the orthopedic team.-Associated tibial plateau fractures and patellar fractures-If you are splinting for a knee injury, keep in mind the knee should be kept at 5-degree flexion and the foot in slight plantar flexion.Other Indications-Cellulitis (allows area to heal ...
Source: The Procedural Pause - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs