Alexandra earned her master's degree in nursing education and is currently a hospital supervisor/administrator.
Ralph is a twenty-year-old man who has fractured his wrist after falling while playing basketball. He had surgery and is now on his third post-operative day. The doctor decides to place a splint on Ralph to protect his wrist during the healing process. An occupational therapist will also begin working with Ralph on range of motion exercises to begin strengthening his wrist while it heals. The doctor begins to explain what type of splint fabrication Ralph will have.
Splint fabrication is the process of applying a splint to an injured area on the body. They can provide minimal, moderate, or maximum resistance depending on the type of injury. Some splints are constructed using Plaster of Paris, plaster, fiberglass, padding, and ace wraps. Other splints are made out of metal, cloth, plastic, or leather as well. The doctor explains to Ralph that there are several types of splint fabrication. These consist of a custom fabricated, prefabricated, and custom fitted splint.
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Since Ralph is young and athletic, the doctor and therapist decide that a custom fabricated splint will work best. A speedy recovery is anticipated so the splint needs to fit well and serve the needs of Ralph during daily activities. Ralph is impressed once the therapist fits the splint to his wrist. Ralph askes the therapist how his and other splints function.
There are many reasons for the use of fabricated splints. In Ralph's case, the splint is being used to stabilize his injured wrist while also controlling his range of motion during rehabilitation. Splints also support weakened muscles, reduce inflammation, control pain, influence scar formation, and support the structure of the bone, tendon, or joint. Conditions that may warrant a fabricated splint include:
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Ralph is using his custom fabricated splint after his wrist fracture. The splint will protect and support his wrist while he is healing and strengthening his muscles. Splints can be worn consistently during the beginning phases of healing; only removing them to clean them and or to complete minimal daily activities that do not require heavy lifting or extreme range of motion changes.
After several weeks post-operative surgery, the patient can begin completing passive and active range of motion exercises without the splint. The patient will wear the splint less and less as the injury heals which allows them to continue to strengthen muscles and increase mobility.
Ralph works with his therapist on an outpatient basis twice a week for two weeks and then uses the mobility exercises he learned throughout the rest of the weeks while he heals. He is now at the point where he can begin playing basketball again. He is no longer wearing his splint during regular activity, but he will wear the splint while playing basketball until he feels comfortable again.
Splint fabrication is the process of applying a splint to a compromised area of the body. They are made of different materials such as plaster, ace wraps, fiberglass, padding, metal, cloth, plastic, or leather. Three different types of splints include custom fabricated, prefabricated, and custom fitted. Splints are used to stabilize, support, and control the affected area of the body. Splints are often used for skin lacerations, arthritis, gout, puncture wounds or bites, fractures, sprains, contusions, abrasions, lacerated tendons, joint dislocations, tenosynovitis, joint tightness, muscle-tendon tightness, nerve injuries, congenital deformities, and contracture release. The amount of time a splint stays in place is patient specific and dependent on the plan of care.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is for your information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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