|  | Conditions Treatments | Bones, Joints Muscles

Orthopedic Splinting Techniques

Orthopedic medicine focuses on evaluation and treatment of problems in the musculoskeletal system. Injuries to the bones, muscles and ligaments often require splinting to prevent or limit movement while the body part heals. There are several different splinting techniques used to treat orthopedic injuries.

  1. Pre-fabricated Splints

    • Pre-fabricated -- over-the-counter -- splints are commonly used to rest a body part after a minor injury like a muscle strain or ligament strain. These splints might be worn for support during sporting activities, work tasks, or only at night to protect further injury while sleeping. Wrist and ankle braces can be purchased at a drug or medical supply store without a prescription from a doctor. They are made out of neoprene or a more sturdy material and might include a metal stay for added support.

    Plaster and Fiberglass Splints

    • Broken bones that do not require a circumferential cast might be treated with a plaster or fiberglass splint. This splint is made of several strips of fiberglass or plaster layered on each other and applied half-way around the injured body part. It is typically secured with an elastic bandage. This type of splint is often applied immediately after a surgical procedure to temporarily immobilize the area until the post-op visit, usually 10 days after surgery.

    Custom Thermoplastic Splinting

    • Orthopedic injuries can also be treated with splints made of thermoplastic material. These splints are custom-molded by a trained health care provider. A pattern is made on a paper towel and then transferred onto a piece of thermoplastic. It is then cut down with a box cutter and submerged in a pan of hot (approximately 160 degrees) water until it softens. The material is then molded to the patient's body part and hardens as it cools. This type of splinting is rigid, offering significant support, but also removable, to allow the skin underneath to be cleaned.

    Make-shift Splints

    • Orthopedic splints can be made out of non-medical materials in emergency situations. For example, a wooden board or other rigid object can be used as a splint to temporarily immobilize an injured body part. These types of splints might be used on sports fields, in the woods, or at the scene of an accident. They can be secured in place by tying a piece of clothing around them.

Bones, Joints Muscles - Related Articles