It is a medical device used to protect the damaged or traumatised body part from further damage by keeping it immobile and fixed. In this article, we will talk about what is splint, splint types, splint application methods and how to use splints.

What is a Splint

Splints can be used to support and immobilise any limb of the body or the spine and can be used in many situations such as providing temporary immobilisation by providing support to broken bones or damaged joints during movement. If there is a fracture, swelling or pain after an injury, the first thing that can be done is splinting. Because splinting will prevent the situation from getting worse. What is a splint; We can say that it is a device used to prevent the severity of the injury or to protect the condition.

An example of the use of a splint is used to stabilise a broken bone, for example in traffic accidents, when an injured person is taken to hospital for more advanced treatment. A properly placed splint to ensure that the injured area is not moved helps to alleviate the injury and pain.

Splint can also be worn after the operation. The purpose of using a splint after surgery is to reduce pain and to accelerate healing by restricting the movement of the injured area.

How many types of splints are there?

Splints come in many shapes and sizes. They can be as simple as a bandage for a finger or toe injury. Sometimes they can be quite large when used to support your hip or thigh. Some splints are made of plastic or fabric. Splints can be made more useful with additional parts such as hooks, loop straps, buckles or straps. Splints vary for each patient and each disease.

Splint application methods

• Static splint (dynamic splint):

  Static splint prevents movement of the injured area. Static splint can be used after injury to reduce pain and swelling.

• Dynamic splint (dynamic splint):

  Dynamic splints can be used while healing begins. Dynamic splints reduce the loss of movement by mobilising the injury site. In addition, dynamic splints extend by applying tension to soft tissues for long periods of time to correct joint placement disorders (contractures, burns, late phase of fractures).

• Serial splinting (serial splint):

  The devices used in serial splinting are changed every 6 weeks. With each splint change, new devices provide more movement to different joints or to the same joint.

Principles of splint application

• Conditions such as swelling, tearing and bleeding at the injury site are evaluated.

• Pulse, sensation and movement are assessed distal to the injury site and the existing wounds are sterilised and closed to prevent infection.

• Before the application, a general assessment is made, especially muscles, joints and nerves. During all these evaluations, the area to be splinted is tried to be kept immobile.

• Depending on the condition of the fracture in the area to be splinted, the joints are splinted in a way to immobilise the lower and upper joints. Since especially the neck and waist region is vital, stabilisation is very important and must be performed by specialists.

How many days is the splint used?

After you start using the splint, the specialist recommending the splint should see you every 2 weeks. The specialist who recommends the splint will also tell you how long to use it. Most splints are used for 1 week and a few days depending on the injury. In fractures, the device should be used for 4 to 8 weeks, which is the time required for many fractures to heal.