Splints and Braces Type and uses of splints and braces

splints are used for immobilising fracture; either temporarily during transportation or for definitive treatment. They are also used in other orthopaedic conditions like infection, congenital dislocation of the hip, etc.
➽TYPES Some of the splints used in orthopaedic practice, and the conditions for which they are used are
 Common splints/braces and their uses➴➴➴➴➴➴➴

Type and uses of splints and braces

Name                                   Use 
Cramer-wire splint        ➨   Emergency  immobilisation
Thomas splint                 ➨   Fracture femur anywhere
Bohler-Braun splint       ➨   Fracture femur anywhere
Aluminium splint           ➨  Immobilisation of fingers         
Dennis Brown splint      ➨ CTEV
Cock-up splint                ➨ Radial nerve palsy
Knuckle bender splint   ➨  Ulnar nerve palsy
Toe-raising splint           ➨Foot drop
Volkmann splint             ➨ Volkmann's ischaemic  contracture  (VIC)
Four-post collar              ➨ Neck  immobilisation
Aeroplane splint             ➨Brachial plexus injury
SOMI brace                    ➨Cervical spine injury
ASHE (Anterior spinal hyper extension)   ➨   Dorso-lumbar spinal injury brace
Taylor's brace                  ➨   Dorso-lumbar immobilisation
Milwaukee brace             ➨   Scoliosis
Boston brace                    ➨  Scoliosis
lumber corset                   ➨ Backache

See Type of splints and braces with images ➤➤➤➤➤ click here...


More Splints/braces Multiple Choice Questions Orthopaedic MCQ  ➤      click here..

MCQ|MPT Preparation

Common splints/braces Quiz

Question of

Good Try!
You Got out of answers correct!
That's

➧Cramer-wire splint: This splint is used for temporary splintage of fractures during transportation.

➧It is made up of two thick parallel wires with interlacing wires .
➧It can be bent into different shapes in order to immobilise different parts of the body.

➧Thomas knee-bed splint (Thomas splint): It is one of the commonest splints used in orthopaedic practice. It was devised by H.O.

➧Thomas, initially for immobilisation for tuberculosis of the knee.
➧ this splint commonly used for the  thigh injuries and immobilisation of hip.
➧A Thomas splint has a ring and two side bars joined distally. The ring is at an angle of 120° to the inside bar. The outside bar has a curvature near its junction with the ring to accommodate the greater trochanter.

size of a Thomas splint: This is measured by finding the ring size and the length of the splint.
➸ Ring size is found by addition of 2 inches to the thigh circumference at the highest point of the groin.
➸The length of a Thomas splint is the measurement from the highest point on the medial side of the groin up to the heel plus 6 inches.

Uses: A Thomas splint is used for immobilisation of the lower limb. The ring of the Thomas splint is introduced around the limb. The thigh and leg are supported on sling tied over the side bars.

➧Bohler-Braun splint: 
It has a number of pulleys (1-3) over which the traction cord passes while giving traction for different fractures. It is more convenient than Thomas splint since it has no ring.

The ring of a Thomas splint is a common cause of discomfort, especially in elderly people.
In this splint no inbuilt system of countertraction, hence it is not suitable for transportation.

CARE OF A PATIENT IN A SPLINT
A patient in splint needs the following care:

a) The splint should be properly applied, well padded at bony prominences and at the fracture site.
b) The bandage of the splint should not be too tight as it may produce sores; nor too loose, lest it becomes ineffective.
c) The patient should be encouraged to actively exercise the muscles and the joints inside the splint as much as permitted.
d) Any compression of nerve or vessel, usually due to too tight a bandage or lack of adequate padding, should be detected early and managed accordingly.
e) Daily checking and adjustments, if required, should be made. Regular portable X-rays may be taken to ensure good position of the fracture

Now-a-days, readymade braces are available for immobilising different joints. These are available in small to extra large (XL) sizes. Common  use are knee immobiliser and ankle support, wrist immobiliser.