1. Fractures,
2. Sprains,
3. Joint infections,
4. Tenosynovitis,
5. Acute arthritis / gout,
6. Lacerations over joints,
7. Puncture wounds and animal bites
of the hands or feet
Long Arm Posterior Splint
1.Elbow and forearm injuries,
2.Distal humerus fx,
3.Both-bone forearm fx,
4.Unstable proximal radius or
ulna fx (sugar-tong better)
Indications
Double Sugar Tong
1.Elbow and forearm fx -
prox/mid/distal radius
and ulnar fx.
2.Better for most distal
forearm and elbow fx,
because limits
flex/extension and
pronation / supination,
•Most frequently used
Indications
Forearm Volar Splint
Splint
1.Soft tissue hand / wrist
injuries - sprain, carpal
tunnel, etc,.
2.Most wrist fx, 2nd -5th
metacarpal fx.
Indications
3. Most add a dorsal splint for increased
stability - ‘sandwich splint’ (B).
4. Not used for distal radius or ulnar fx - can
still supinate and pronate.
Forearm Sugar Tong
1. Distal radius and ulnar fx.
Indications
Hand Splinting
•The correct position for most hand splints is the
position of function.
•Wrist slightly extended (10-25°).
•Fingers flexed as shown.
When immobilizing metacarpal neck fractures, the
MCP joint should be flexed to 90°.
Radial and Ulnar Gutter
•Fractures, phalangeal
and metacarpal, and soft
tissue injuries of the little
and ring fingers.
•Fractures, phalangeal
and metacarpal, and soft
tissue injuries of index
and long fingers.
Indications
Thumb Spica
1.Navicular fx - seen or
suspected (check
snuffbox tenderness)
2.Lunate fx, lunate or
perilunate dislocation
3.All thumb fx.
4.De Quervain
tenosynovitis
Indications
•Reduce pain, post injuries of bone and
soft tissues.
•Prevent damage to muscle, nerves, &
blood vessels post fracture.
•Prevent close fracture from becoming an
open fracture.
•Reduce bleeding & swelling post trauma.
• In Treatment of Osteomyelitis & Septic-
arthritis elevate immunity.
•Saving of ligaments and tendons post
reconstructions.
•Reduction and stabilization of bone
fracture # for heeling proses.
•Prevention contraction after
Amputation.
•Reduce (pain, bleeding) post operative
of bone and soft tissues.
corrections of deformities of extremities.
Types of Casts
Upper Extremity Casts
Finger spica
or thumb spica
cast , include
one or more
fingers or the
thumb.
Types of Casts
Lower
Extremity
Casts
Cast Modifications
A cast window A cast window is a square or rectangular is a square or rectangular
area cut and removed from the cast, often area cut and removed from the cast, often
to expose a surgical wound or areas to expose a surgical wound or areas
where symptoms of pressure develop. where symptoms of pressure develop.
A walking heel or cast shoe may be
applied to protect the cast when the
patient walks.
•Rubber cast soles
can be wrapped
directly into walking
casts when formed or
held in position with
adjustable straps.
They support the toes
and foot, improve
walking ability.
•Cast hinges can be
added for joint
mobility.
Spica cast: A cast which includes the trunk of the
body and one or more limbs is called.
Body casts, which cover the trunk of the body,
and in some cases the neck up to or including
the head.
(Minerva cast and Risser cast)
C. Fracture Bracing
•Allows for early functional ROM and weight
bearing
•Relies on intact soft tissues and muscle
envelope to maintain alignment and length
•Most commonly used for humeral shaft and
tibia shaft fractures
Patient must tolerate a snug fit for brace to be functional
•Convert to humeral
fracture brace 7-10 days
after fracture
•Allows for early elbow
ROM
•Fracture reduction
maintained by
hydrostatic column
principle
•Co-contraction of muscles
–- Snug brace during the
day
–- Do not rest elbow on
table
D. BUILT
(SPLINTS)
Figure of eight
Bandage
arm sling
Definition of ComplicationDefinition of Complication..
•
Complication : In medicine, an
additional problem that arises
following. a procedure,
treatment or
illness and is secondary to it.
•A complication complicates the
situation
•1. Thermal Injury -
avoid plaster > 10 ply,
water >24°C, unusual with
fiberglass.
•2. Cuts and burns
during removal.
3. Deep Venous Thrombosis &
Pulmonary Embolism
•increased in lower
extremity fracture
–Ask about previous
history.
– and family history.
–Indications for
prophylaxis debated.
Leg pain or tenderness
. Swelling of the leg
. Reddening the leg
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Alterations of Vessel WallAlterations of Vessel Wall
Thrombus Formation according
to Virchow’s Triad for thrombogenesis
•4 Joint stiffness
–Leave joints free
when it possible.
–Place joint in position
at anatomical function position
5. Loss of reduction
once the swelling has subsided, the cast
may no longer hold the fracture securely
if it’s loose the cast should be replaced.
x
x
6. Pressure necrosis –
•may occur as early as 2 hours
•7 Tight cast
•Need to cut cast padding.
•the cast may be put on too tightly.the cast may be put on too tightly.
•or it may become tight or it may become tight if the limb swells.if the limb swells.
•It may become compartment syndrome
patient complains of diffuse pain only laterpatient complains of diffuse pain only later
sometime the signs of vascular compression appear.sometime the signs of vascular compression appear.
the limb should be elevated but if the pain persisted the the limb should be elevated but if the pain persisted the
only safe course is to split the cast & ease it open.
•8 Compartment syndrome
–Compartment syndrome is a very serious
complication that can happen because of a tight
cast or a rigid cast that restricts severe swelling.
–Compartment syndrome happens when pressure
builds within a closed space that cannot be
released. This elevated pressure can cause
damage to the structures inside that closed
space or compartment—in this case, the
muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other
tissues under the cast.
–This syndrome can cause permanent and
irreversible damage if it is not discovered and
corrected in time.
Clinical Features of an ischaemic limb:
Severe pain, Numbness or tingling
Cold, pale, or blue-colored skin Difficulty moving
the joint or fingers and toes below the affecte
area.
Pain
Pallor
Pressingly cold
Pulse less
Paralysis
Paraesthesia
Volkmann's Ischemic
Contracture
Hippocrates:, recommending
wooden splints plus exercise to
prevent muscle atrophy during
the immobilization.
9. Atrophy
of Muscle
•10 Pressure sores :
even a well fitting cast may press upon the
skin over a bony prominence (patella, heel,
elbow or the head of the ulna )
the patient complains of localized pain precisely
over the pressure spot such localized pain
demands immediate inspection through a
window in the cast.
•11. Loose cast :
once the swelling has subsided, the cast may
no longer hold the fracture securely if it’s
loose the cast should be replaced.
12. Blood splay cute
plaster of Paris casts can result in cutaneous
complications including
•macerations,
• ulcerations,
•infections,
•rashes,
•itching,
13. Skin Complication
plaster of Paris casts can result in cutaneous
complications including
•and allergic contact dermatitis,
) which may also be due to the presence of
formaldehyde within the plaster bandages(
•In hot weather, staphylococcal infection of the hair
follicles and sweat glands can lead to severe and
painful dermatitis
13. Skin Complication
•Skin abrasion or laceration :
this is really a complication
of removing the cast
especially if an electric saw
is used complains of
nipping or pinching during
plaster removal should be
never be ignored a ripped forearm is a good
reason for litigation .
13. Skin Complication
Taking Care of Your Cast
•Always keep the cast
clean and dry.
•Cover the cast with a
plastic bag or wrap the
cast
to bathe (and check
the bag for holes before
using the bag a second
time).
•Do not lower the cast
down into the water.
Basic Cast Care
•The nurse is responsible for caring for
the cast and making appropriate
assessments to prevent complications.
Assessing capillary refill
Checking mobility.
exercise to prevent muscle atrophy during the immobilization.
Assessing sensation in exposed fingers
Soft edges of cast minimize
risk for skin irritation.
Applying ice pack to minimize pain
Cast Removal
•casts are removed when they need to be
changed and reapplied or when the injury
has healed sufficiently that the cast is no
longer necessary. A cast is removed
prematurely if complications develop.
•Most casts are removed with an electric
cast cutter, an instrument that looks like a
circular saw
Cast removal.
A)The cast is bivalved with an electric cast cutter. (
B)The cast is split.
C)The padding is manually cut.
Also
need to
cut
padding
T H A N K ST H A N K S
F O R F O R
Y O U R Y O U R
L I S T E N I N L I S T E N I N
G . . . . . . G . . . . . .
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