Immobilization Splints

Presented by Siti Nur Rifhan Kamaruddin

 DEFINITION
• Splint is a rigid support with padding made with
metal, plastic or plaster.
• Non- circumferential immobilizer
• Splints are different than Casts
(circumferential immobilizer)
Splints

Casts
 Goals of Splinting
Reduction of
Reduction of
Inflammation Control of
Inflammation
from Pain
from Arthritis
TRAUMA

Provision of Substitute for Evaluation of

Absent, Weak or
External Imbalance
the Potential
Support Muscle for Surgery
 1) Reduction of Inflammation from
Trauma
• Resting hand tissues reduces inflammation to
encourage orderly healing without disruptive
external influences
• Initial choice for the acutely injured part
• Splinting should cease when possible to
minimize negative effects : atrophy and
stiffening which rapidly occurs in the
immobilized hand.
2) Reduction of Inflammation from
Arthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis response positively to
rest but this rest may be short-lived – daily
symptomatic relief.
• Splinting to provide rest + other treatments =
recognized as standard protocol
3) Control of Pain
• Without infection, rest of the acutely injured
hand can reduce pain
• A delicate balance between rest to reduce
painful inflammation and exercise to main
tissue glide can be accomplished by a
removable splint.
4) External Support
• Provide external support for internal
structures.
• Unstable joints from trauma or arthritis can
benefit from splinting – symptom relief or as
substitute for surgery.
5) Evaluation of the potential of Surgery
 INDICATIONS FOR SPLINT
• Fractures
• Soft tissues injuries (sprains, tendons)
• Inflammatory conditions: Arthritis, Tenosynovitis
• Laceration over joints
 CONTRAINDICATIONS OF SPLINT
• Compartment Syndrome
• Need for open reduction
• Skin at high risk for infection
 Advantages & Disadvantages
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Faster and easier to apply Lack of patient compliance

Allow for the natural Excessive motion at injury
swelling site

Less risk for pressure- Limitations in their usage.

related complications Some injury require
casting
Can be removed more
easily
 COMPLICATIONS
• Compartment syndrome : Increase pressure
within a close space compromises blood flow
and tissue perfusion
• Ischemia and damage to soft tissues
• Infection
• Joint stiffness
• Thermal injuries to the skin
• Skin breakdown / pressure sores.
 REFERENCES
• https://handlab.com/resources/wp-
content/uploads/2015/04/Principles-of-
Splinting-and-Splint-Prescription.pdf
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0901/p491.html
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p16.html
• http://www.slideshare.net/vhjokhi/splint-ppt-by-
rupeshkumar?qid=b074a0f6-1408-4cd9-92c6-
fa3ff133f414&v=&b=&from_search=1
•
THANK YOU!