Splint (medicine) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

A splint is a device used for support or immobilization of limb

Limb (anatomy)

A limb is a jointed, or prehensile , appendage of the human or other animal body....

s or of the spine

Vertebral column

In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...

.
It can be used:

By the emergency medical services
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...

or by volunteer first responders, to immobilize a fractured limb before the transportation; it is then a temporary immobilization;
By allied health professionals such as occupational therapist
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist is trained in the practice of occupational therapy. The role of an occupational therapist is to work with a client to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional...

s, physiotherapists and orthotists, to immobilize an articulation (e.g. the knee) that can be freed while not standing (e.g. during sleep).
By athletic trainers to immobilize an injured bone or joint to facilitate safer transportation of the injured person.
By emergency room physicians to stabilize fractures or sprains until follow-up appointment with an Orthopedist.

In most ERs, a fibreglass splinting material, called Orthoglass, is commonly used for several reasons.

It is clean, unlike most plaster splinting materials
It comes in rolls and can be easily measured and cut according to the patient's dimensions.
It comes pre-padded, which saves time and energy trying to roll out padding.
It dries in about 20 minutes, and there are no risks for burns involved.

A nasal splint helps control bleeding and provide support in certain cases where the nose bone is broken.

Commonly Used Splints

Sugar Tong
Ulnar Gutter
Volar Wrist Splint
Thumb Spica
Posterior Lower Leg
Posterior Full Leg
Posterior Elbow
Finger Splints
Ankle Stirrup
Shin splint

Assisted cough technique

Commonly used after surgery to provide support to an incised area and decrease pain on coughing.

While the patient attempts to cough the area is braced by the patient (or assistant) using pillow, folded blanket or extended hand placed over the incision.

Gentle pressure is applied for bracing only during the attempt to cough.

Origins

Different forms of the splint have been used sparingly throughout history, however, the splint gained great popularity as a medical device during the French and Indian War

French and Indian War

The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...

. Generally consisting of two small wooden planks, the splint was commonly tied around the fracture with rope, cloth, or even rawhide during frontier times in American history. To this day, the splint is commonly used to secure small fractures and breaks. (See, for example, Henry Gassett Davis

Henry Gassett Davis

Henry Gassett Davis was an orthopedic surgeon.He founded the traction school of orthopedic surgery and created the first splint for traction and protection of the hip joint....

External links

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Commonly Used Splints

Assisted cough technique

Origins

See also

External links