![]() What other important findings would you add to this list? We are especially interested in tips and best practices you have for students and new EMS professionals. Make sure to explain why a splint was indicated for the patient. DocumentÄocument your findings and interventions carefully, including the status of CSM before and after applying the splint. Analgesics such as morphine sulfate or fentanyl should be administered by qualified providers and according to protocol. Splinting may help reduce the discomfort. Continue to evaluate CSM every few minutes during transport. If the patient complains of worsening pain, or there is a loss of CSM, readjust the splint carefully to see if it might have been applied too tightly. This helps to immobilize the break itself and may help the patient reduce accidental movement of the injury. Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture site. This makes the splint more secure, improves comfort and may decrease the pain associated with the injury. Pad the splint so that the voids are filled between the extremity and the splint itself. Otherwise, you may need to splint the joint in the position it was found. A joint such as an elbow or knee may be more difficult to straighten try to do so carefully if no resistance is felt. In addition, it will be easier to shape the splint to the injury. Doing so may help improve CSM and reduce the chance of further injury. If possible, apply mild traction to the distal extremity and straighten it prior to applying the splint. In an angulated fracture, where the extremity is misshapen, there may be a loss of CSM due to compression or other soft tissue damage at the fracture site. There are several landmarks for assessing rotation, including cortical. Patients cope better with internal than with external malalignment. For all its strength and durability, the human skeleton is still at risk of fractures particularly. For the 206 bones that comprise the adult skeleton, form follows function: The broad flat plates. Malrotation of greater than 14 degrees from neutral can alter gait mechanics and efficiency. Long Bone Fractures Anatomy of Long Bones. Asking the patient to wiggle his fingers or toes can help confirm that motor-neuro pathways are intact. Malrotation is one of the most significant complications of long bone fractures, with an incidence of up to 25. Check for sensation by squeezing a finger or toe and asking if the patient can sense the pressure. Circulation can be checked by finding distal pulses or checking for capillary refill on the affected extremity and compare it to the unaffected side. Prior to applying a splint, determine if there is adequate circulation, sensation and motor response past the injury site. Here are seven important points to remember when splinting an extremity fracture: 1. ![]() In turn, this might reduce the pain that results from the soft tissue injury surrounding the fracture. The splint must often be adapted to provide maximum support to the injured extremity. Rarely do manufactured splints exactly fit the presenting injury. Check and document circulation after splint application and throughout patient transport.
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