Basic Splinting Techniques

Abstract

Indications Patients frequently present to primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and emer-gency departments with musculoskeletal injuries. Many distal-extremity injuries can initially be managed in an outpatient setting with the use of basic splinting techniques. Splinting immobilizes injured extremities and prevents further injury, decreases pain and bleeding, and allows healing to begin. The most common indi-cations for splint placement in an outpatient setting include fractures, dislocations, and sprains. Stabilization of an extremity fracture with a splint will preserve proper bone alignment and alleviate discomfort. After reduction of a dislocated joint, ana-tomical positioning is maintained by application of a splint. Splinting may also be used to maintain the position of function and to alleviate pain for patients with ligamentous sprains. Contraindications