Physician Splinting Guide
Providers, we’re here for you too. Take a moment to review the quick splinting guides below to ensure your patients are properly splinted when you send them our way.
Ulnar Gutter Splint
INDICATIONS
Fractures and soft tissue injuries of the small finger, or ring finger.
CONSTRUCTION
Starts at mid-forearm, runs along ulnar aspect of forearm to just beyond the DIP joint. Include the ring finger and small finger.
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Slight wrist extension (10-20 degrees). PIP and DIP joints 10-15 degrees of flexion. 50 degrees of flexion of MCP joints or 90 degrees for Boxer’s fractures.
Volar Splint
INDICATIONS
Soft tissue injuries or fracture of the proximal hand and wrist, excluding the thumb and small finger.
CONSTRUCTION
Starts in the palm at the metacarpal heads, down the volar aspect of forearm to proximal forearm.
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Cut hole in stockinette for thumb. Forearm in neutral position with thumb up. Wrist slightly extended (10-20 degrees).
Thumb Spica Splint
INDICATIONS
Injuries to scaphoid, lunate, thumb and index finger.
CONSTRUCTION
From just distal to the interphalangeal joint of thumb to mid-forearm
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Cut hole in stockinette for thumb. Forearm in neutral position with thumb in wineglass position.
Sugar Tong Splint
INDICATIONS
Distal or mid-shaft radius and ulna fractures.
CONSTRUCTION
From MC heads on the dorsal hand, around elbow to volar MCP joints
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Cut hole in stockinette for thumb. Elbow at 90 degrees. Forearm neutral with thumb up. Slightly extended wrist (10-20 degrees)
Posterior Long-Arm Splint
INDICATIONS
Injuries of the elbow and proximal forearm.
CONSTRUCTION
Starts on the posterior aspect of the proximal arm, down the ulnar aspect of arm and ends at the MCP joints.
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Cut hole in stockinette for thumb. Elbow at 90 degrees. Forearm neutral position with thumb up. Neutral or slightly extended wrist (10-20 degrees).
Posterior Short-Leg Splint
INDICATIONS
Fracture or soft tissue injury of the foot, ankle, or distal tibia up to mid shaft.
CONSTRUCTION
Start on the posterior aspect of the lower leg, just distal to the knee and extend down to the plantar foot to the tip of the toes. For ankle and tibial fractures add a second plaster component as a stirrup from mid lower leg medially around the malleoli and the plantar foot and up to the mid leg laterally
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Ankle at 90 degrees.
Posterior Long-Leg Splint
INDICATIONS
Proximal tibia fracture, distal femoral fracture, soft tissue injuries around the knee.
CONSTRUCTION
Posterior leg from mid femur, past knee, past ankle to distal plantar aspect of toes.
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Knee flexed to 30 degrees. Ankle flexed to 90 degrees.
Coaptation Splint
INDICATIONS
Humerus shaft fractures.
CONSTRUCTION
From medial arm at axilla around elbow and up laterally over acromion.
APPLICATION/POSITIONING
Elbow at 90 degrees.
- Measure and prepare the fiberglass or plaster
- Apply the stockinette so that it extends 2 or 3 inches beyond the fiberglass
- Apply 2 or 3 layers of Webril over the area to be splinted
Be generous, avoid wrinkles, and place extra padding around bony prominences. Place Webril between the digits that are going to be splinted to avoid maceration. - Wet the fiberglass and place it over the area to be splinted
Submerge the premeasured fiberglass in unused warm water. Remove the splint from the water and squeeze out the excess water and remove wrinkles. - Fold the ends of stockinette over the the fiberglass to smooth the edges of the splint
- Place a layer of Webril over the fiberglass
- Apply the ace wrap around the splint to secure it in place.
Wrap the bandage without placing too much tension around the extremity - While still wet, mold the fiberglass to conform to the shape of the extremity
Use the palms of your hand rather than the fingers - Place the patient’s extremity in the position desired
Keep the patient still until the splint has dried and hardened (the fiberglass will become warm as it’s drying). Fast-drying: 5-8 minutes, extra-fast drying: 2-4 minutes - After the splint has dried, check the splinted extremity for function, arterial pulse, capillary refill, temperature of skin, and sensation
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