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
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