1. Skill:
Splinting a Forearm

2. Support arm. Check circulation.

3. Position arm on rigid splint.

4. Secure splint.

5. Check circulation.

6. Wrist Injuries
Sprains
Fractures

7. Splinting Wrist Injuries
Goal is to stabilize from forearm to hand
Soft splint and sling often sufficient
Rigid splint provides more support
Assess circulation, sensation, movement in hand and fingers

8. Wrist Injuries
Apply rigid splint on palm side of arm from forearm past fingertips
Tie above and below wrist
Leave fingers uncovered
Support forearm and wrist with sling and apply binder around upper arm and chest

9. Hand Injuries May be injured by direct blow
Fractures occur when patient punches something with closed fist

10. Splinting Hand Injuries
Goal is immobilization of hand
Use soft or rigid splint
Place roll of gauze in palm
Bandage entire hand
Place rigid splint on palm side of hand. Pad between hand and splint
Support further with sling and swathe

11. Finger Injuries Fractures and dislocations Often splint not required
Use rigid splint or anatomic splint

12. Splinting Finger Injuries
Use soft splint if finger cannot be straightened without pain
Don’t manipulate finger into normal position
Use rigid splint, secured with tape
Tape finger to adjoining finger with gauze in between

13. Lower Extremity Injuries
Larger forces are typically involved
Forces may also cause spinal injury
Assess patient, without moving extremity
Femur fracture can damage femoral artery

14. Hip and Pelvis Injuries
Fractures and dislocations
A hip fracture = fracture of top part of femur
Fractures more common in elderly
Bleeding and pain may be severe
Dislocations occur at any age
Falls
Vehicular crashes
Blows to body

15. Hip Injuries Do not move patient
Immobilize leg and hip in position found
Pad between legs and bandage together (unless this causes more pain)
Treat for shock but do not elevate legs

16. Upper Leg Injuries Femur fractures serious Severe pain/shock may occur
Keep patient from moving
Use rigid splint if lying down with leg supported by ground
Use folded blankets/coats to immobilize leg in position found

17. Splinting Upper Leg Injuries
Anatomic splint
Rigid splints

18. Splinting Upper Leg Injuries continued
Check circulation and sensation in foot and toes
Put rigid splint on each side of leg
Pad body areas and voids
Inside splint should extend from groin past foot
Outside splint should extend from armpit past foot

19. Traction Splint for Femur Fractures
Traction splint maintains continual pull on femur to keep bone ends in normal position
First Responders usually assist other EMS personnel

20. Knee Injuries Sprains Dislocations
Caused by sports injuries, motor vehicle crashes, falls
Femur, tibia or fibula fractures indistinguishable from knee injuries

21. Splinting Knee Injuries
Splint in position found
Apply soft splint by rolling blanket or placing pillow around knee
If knee straight, make anatomical splint

22. Splinting the Knee If possible, put rigid splint on both sides of leg
Pad body areas and voids
Check circulation and sensation in foot and toes first and periodically after splinting

23. Splinting the Knee
If knee is straight apply two splints along both sides of knee
If knee is bent, splint in position found
Tie splints with cravats or bandages

24. Lower Leg Injuries Many causes
Either or both bones of lower leg can be fractured

25. Lower Leg Injuries Rigid splint applied the same as for knee injury
Three-sided cardboard splint can be used

26. Splinting the Leg (Anatomic)
Skill:
Splinting the Leg (Anatomic)

27. Check circulation. Gently slide four to five strips of bandages under both legs.

28. Pad between legs.

29. Gently slide uninjured leg next to injured leg.

30. Tie bandages
and
Check circulation

31. Ankle Injuries
Commonly a sprain occurring when foot forcefully twisted to one side
Fractures or dislocations
Often involve torn ligaments and nerve/blood vessel damage

32. Splinting Ankle Injuries
Soft splint usually best
Assess circulation, sensation, movement in toes

33. Foot Injuries Commonly caused by direct blows/falls
Involve almost any bone/ligament of foot
Treat same as ankle injuries
Toe fractures can be very painful

34. Splinting Foot Injuries
Usually no splinting required
Use pillow splint as for ankle injury if:
toe is significantly bent
more than one toe involved
foot is very painful

35. Rib Fractures Typically caused by blunt trauma to chest
More common in lower ribs and along side
Cause severe pain, discoloration, swelling
Pain often sharper upon breathing in
Patient may breathe shallowly and hold/support area

36. Splinting Rib Injuries
Goal is primarily supportive
Have patient sit/stand in easy breathing position
Support ribs with pillow or soft padding loosely bandaged over area and under arm
Immobilize arm with sling and swathe
Monitor breathing