How to Splint a Humerus Fracture

Humerus fractures occur in the shoulder joint, or where the upper arm bone and shoulder joint meet. This type of fracture may also include additional injury to the shoulder, such as dislocation or shoulder separation. Fractures of the humerus can be stabilized with a splint before transport to a hospital to reduce the risk of additional injury, and provide comfort for the patient.

Things You'll Need

• Splint
• Gauze rolls
• Towels or other cloth for a sling

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Choose a rigid splint that is long enough to place from the top of the shoulder to the elbow. Ask an assistant to maintain stabilization of the patient's arm by gently holding the arm next to the patient's body. This will help prevent movement of the shoulder and upper arm during splinting.

• 2

  Fold a small towel into a square and place inside the armpit on the injured side. This provides padding for comfort while assisting the shoulder to remain in place once splinted. Avoid over-padding so the shoulder juts away from the body. However, if the patient is not able to bring her arm against her body, fill in the space between her body and arm with ample padding for support.

• 3

  Place padding over the shoulder injury for comfort by using folded towels or gauze. Then, place the splint to the outside of the injured arm. The splint should reach the top of the shoulder and extend to the elbow. Have your assistant continue to hold stabilization to prevent arm movement while you place the splint.

• 4

  Wrap the splint with gauze rolls, or your wrap of choice, to secure the splint to the arm. Begin by wrapping beneath the patient's arm at the armpit and working down to the elbow. Be sure not to secure the splint too tightly near the shoulder or over the injury.

• 5

  Secure the splinted arm to the patient's body with a gauze roll by wrapping gauze around the outside of the splinted arm and around the patient's upper body. This acts as a swaddle which holds the arm gently against the body for additional support. If ample padding was placed in the armpit, swaddle the arm loosely to the body in order to keep the padding in place, but not too tightly as to pull the arm in against the body.

• 6

  Check for a pulse at the wrist of the injured arm. If a pulse is not present, consider loosening the wrapping or readjusting the splint as needed.