Manual of Splinting and Casting

Cervical Spine Traction With Gardner-Wells Tongs

Overview 1. Cervical spine traction is accomplished with placement of calipers or tongs to the skull and attachment to a pulley system secured to a bed. 2. Although a wide variety of tongs exist, Gardner-Wells tongs are the most frequently…

Calcaneal Skeletal Traction

Overview Calcaneal traction is accomplished with placement of a pin across the posterior aspect of the calcaneus and attachment to a pulley system secured to a bed. Indications for Use Tibial shaft fractures You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical…

Tibial Skeletal Traction

Overview Tibial traction is accomplished with placement of a pin across the proximal tibial metadiaphysis and attachment to a pulley system secured to a bed. Indications for Use Femoral shaft fractures You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership…

Femoral Skeletal Traction

Overview Femoral traction is accomplished with placement of a pin across the distal femur and attachment to a pulley system secured to a bed. Indications for Use 1. Acetabular fractures 2. Proximal femur fractures You’re Reading a Preview Become a…

Lower Extremity Splints and Casts

Hip Spica Cast Overview 1. A hip spica cast is one of the most difficult casts to apply. 2. It is generally composed of an abdominal portion attached to a long leg cast, which is a so-called “double spica cast.”…

Upper Extremity Splints and Casts

Figure-of-8 Splint Overview 1. Figure-of-8 splints are primarily used for fractures about the clavicle. 2. Figure-of-8 splints are commercially prepared devices intended to create a reduction force on the clavicle. 3. No difference in outcome is seen between a figure-of-8…

Basics of Splinting and Casting

Basic Principles First, Do No Harm 1. Make sure that the potential complications of applying and maintaining a cast or splint are less severe and are less likely than the complications of an untreated injury. 2. A poorly made splint/cast…

Pelvis and Lower Extremity Reduction

Pelvis Reduction Overview 1. Application of a pelvic binder is a key step in the initial management of an unstable pelvic fracture. 2. Commercial pelvic binders are available, or a simple bedsheet may be used as a pelvic binder. 3.…

Forearm, Wrist, and Hand Reduction

Forearm Fractures Overview 1. Fractures of both bones of the forearm ( Fig. 10.1 ) should be anatomically reduced (except in children younger than 12 years) to preserve forearm rotation. a. Only accept as much deformity as can be remodeled in…

Shoulder and Elbow Reduction

Clavicle Fractures Overview 1. Most clavicle fractures require no reduction. 2. Closed reductions cannot be maintained and should not be attempted. Indications for Use 1. Minimally displaced clavicle shaft fractures ( Fig. 9.1 ) 2. Medial physeal clavicle fractures Precautions…