Sugar tong splint

Background

• Prevents pronation/supination, flexion/extension at the wrist, and immobilizes elbow

Indications

• Distal radius and ulnar fractures
• Occasionally for carpal bone fractures

Procedure

Sugar tong splint.

Splint Application General Procedure

• Assess pre-procedure neurovascular status (i.e., distal pulse, motor, and sensation)
• 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:
  • 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
• 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

• Splinting