How to Splint an Elbow

Elbow injuries should be splinted to reduce movement and further injury to the joint during transport to the hospital. Extra care should be taken not to disturb the joint during splinting by moving the arm unnecessarily. When possible, two people should work together to place the elbow splint; one to stabilize the injured arm and the other to place the splint. Splinting can then be accomplished in a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Splint
• Gauze rolls

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Instructions

• 1

  Stabilize the patient's elbow in the position in which it was found. For instance, if the patient has her elbow bent, do not try to straighten the arm. Or, if she has her arm straight, do not try to bend it. Have an assistant hold the patient's arm with one hand above the elbow and another hand below the elbow. This will help support and stabilize the injury while the splint is being placed.

• 2

  Determine the correct splint needed for the position of the injured elbow. If the elbow is bent, you will need a rigid splint that fits from the wrist to below the shoulder when placed horizontally across the arm. The splint should extend about 1 to 2 inches on each end for better stability. If the elbow is straight, you will need a splint that reaches from the elbow to wrist of the injured arm.

• 3

  Place the chosen splint on the patient. Continue having an assistant hold the arm. If splinting a bent elbow, place the splint diagonally to the outside of the arm. Do not cover the elbow with the splint, but place about one inch above the elbow joint. If splinting a straight elbow, place the splint underneath the injured arm with one end of the splint in the patient's armpit, and the other extending to the wrist.

• 4

  Wrap the splint in place with gauze rolls or the wrap of your choice. Place wrap around the splint in a snug, but not tight, manner, until the splint is secure to the patient's arm. Do not wrap over the elbow. Once the splint is completely secured, your assistant can let go of the patient's arm.

• 5

  Check a pulse at the wrist of the injured arm. If a pulse is not present, consider loosening the wrap around the splint slightly or repositioning the splint as needed.