Sugar tong splint
(Redirected from Sugar Tong Splint)
Background
- Prevents pronation/supination, flexion/extension at the wrist, and immobilizes elbow
Indications
- Distal radius and ulnar fractures[1]
- Occasionally for carpal bone fractures [1]
Procedure
Splint Application General Procedure
- Assess pre-procedure neurovascular status (i.e., distal pulse, motor, and sensation) [2]
- Measure and prepare the splinting material
- May use contralateral extremity if easier
- Most splints use a width slightly greater than the diameter of the limb
- Apply stockinette (if applicable)
- Extend 2" beyond estimated the splinting material length
- Apply padding (if applicable)
- Use 2–3 layers over the area to be splinted / between digits (when applicable)
- Add an extra 2–3 layers over bony prominences
- Apply splinting material
- Lightly moisten the splinting material.
- Place as appropriate to specific splint type
- Once finished, if applicable fold the ends of stockinette back over the splinting material if there is excess
- Apply elastic bandaging (e.g., ace wrap)
- While still wet
- May further mold the splint to the desired shape
- Maintain position until splint material has hardened
- Re-check and document repeat neurovascular status
Splint-Specific Details
- Apply padding and splint material as shown in figure
- Splint course:[2]
- From proximal palmar crease
- Around elbow
- To dorsum of MCP joints
- Watch for bunching of material around elbow, protect bony prominence such as elbow, ulnar styloid [3]
- Reassess distal pulse, motor, and sensation
- Key anatomic positions
- Elbow at 90°
- Neutral forearm with thumb pointed superiorly
- Wrist in slight extension (approximately 10-20°) and slight ulnar deviation
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 German C. Hand and wrist emergencies. In: Bond M, ed. Orthopedic Emergencies: Expert Management for the Emergency Physician. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; October 31, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0901/p491.html Accessed April 5, 2017
- ↑ Principles of Casting and Splinting http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p16.html Accessed April 5, 2017