Jordan Ellis
Splints are medical devices used to stabilize and immobilize injured body parts, allowing them to heal. They have been used since ancient times, with evidence of their usage dating back to 1500 B.C. The materials used for splints have evolved over time, ranging from traditional options like leaves, bamboo, and bark to modern choices such as plaster, fiberglass, and thermoplastics. Today, the specific type of splint and the materials used depend on the nature and location of the injury. This article will explore the various materials used in hospital splints, their advantages, and how they aid in the healing process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To hold a body part in one position, also known as immobilization. |
| Material | Rigid materials like metal, plastic, plaster, or padded fiberglass. |
| Cushioning | Foam or padded fabric to prevent pressure sores. |
| Types | Static, static progressive, dynamic, dorsal forearm, sugar tong, long arm posterior, ulnar gutter, radial gutter, thumb spica, volar wrist splint, wrist/arm splint, serial static, custom-fitted, prefab. |
| Usage | Used for injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, finger injuries, forearm or wrist injuries, fractures, sprains, and to support healing. |
| Duration | Depends on the injury and its severity; can range from a few days to a couple of months. |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient splints
The use of splints can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest reference to splint bandages appearing in 3000 BC. Ancient Egyptians used wooden splints made of bark wrapped in linen and grass to support broken limbs. Hieroglyphics from 2500 BC also depict surgeons working on patients' hands, feet, and knees with various medical apparatuses and splinting devices. Mummies from Egypt have been discovered wearing splints from previous injuries, with some dating back to 2750-2625 BC.
The ancient Hindus and Indians used bamboo sticks for splinting, which was more flexible than wood and healed fractures more quickly and effectively. In the 10th century BC, Indian surgeon Sushruta wrote descriptions for 12 fracture types, 6 dislocation types, and treatment steps for each, including traction, manipulation by local pressure, opposition and stabilization, and immobilization.
Hippocrates, often regarded as the father of medicine, wrote extensively on orthopedics and provided detailed instructional treatment information. He recommended splints be made of thin, light wood, placed on the bone shaft, and worn until the fracture had completely healed. The bandages used to secure the splints were often linen soaked in cerate and oil.
By 30 AD, Romans and Greeks were using splints and bandages to treat fractures. Romans stiffened their bandages with corn starch, while the Greeks used waxes and resins. Arab surgeons in the 800s AD used lime derived from seashells and egg whites to create some of the first plaster casts.
In the early 1500s, the introduction of gunpowder to Europe caused a decline in the armour-making market, leading armourers to use their metalworking skills to create braces for injured limbs. By 1517, injuries were being treated with metal braces secured by screws.
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Modern materials
Modern hospital splints are typically made of rigid materials like metal or plastic, with a cushion of foam or padded fabric to prevent pressure sores. They are often covered in various cloth materials and held in place with elastic bandages or Velcro straps. Prefabricated splints may be made of foam and used for the immobilization of chronic injuries.
Fiberglass splints are also common, especially in casts, where they are moulded to the needs of the fracture. They are lighter, easier to apply, and more porous than plaster, but they are also more expensive and provide a less reliable mould. Plaster is the preferred malleable splinting material to maintain a position-specific reduction. However, it is limited by its long drying time, user experience, and provider-placed mould.
Aluminium splints are also used, particularly for children with wrist fractures. In the case of emergency room treatment, a custom-made fiberglass splint may be applied as the first step to treating a bone fracture.
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Custom-made splints
The materials used for custom-made splints include plaster, padded fiberglass, metal, plastic, and cloth. Plaster is a preferred malleable splinting material, but it has limitations due to its long drying time, user experience requirements, and moulding process. Fiberglass splints, on the other hand, are lighter, easier to apply, and more porous, but they are more expensive and provide a less reliable mould.
The type of splint used depends on the body part that has been injured. For example, finger splints are used for treating mallet or baseball finger injuries, which involve a rupture of the extensor tendon and possibly a fracture. Sugar tong splints are used for the forearm or wrist, and thumb spica splints are used for the thumb.
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Ready-made splints
The type of ready-made splint used depends on the body part that has been injured. Examples of ready-made splints include dorsal forearm splints, which are often made of bendable aluminium; single sugar tong splints, which involve wrapping different materials around the wrist and lower arm to prevent movement; and long arm posterior splints, which keep the elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
The use of splints for medical purposes dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting that splints were used as early as 1500 B.C. to treat fractures and burns. These ancient splints were made from natural materials such as leaves, reeds, bamboo, bark padded with linen, and copper. Over time, the techniques and materials used for splints evolved, with doctors and mechanics collaborating in the mid-1700s to create splints for specific injuries. Metal became a common material for splints, and plaster was also introduced, although it was not widely popular due to its long setting and hardening time.
Today, ready-made splints continue to play an important role in immobilization and injury treatment, offering convenience, flexibility, and ease of use for patients and healthcare providers.
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Types of splint
Splints are medical devices used to stabilise and hold a body part in one position, often to treat injuries or health conditions. They are typically made of rigid materials like metal or plastic, with a cushion of foam or padded fabric to prevent pressure sores. Splints can be ready-made or custom-fit, with the latter requiring a doctor to be fitted.
There are several types of splints, including:
- Static splints: These splints hold the body part completely still, preventing any movement.
- Static progressive splints: While this type of splint also restricts movement, it is adjustable, allowing providers to change its position as the patient heals.
- Dynamic splints: Dynamic splints allow for a specific range of motion set by the healthcare provider, which can be adjusted over time.
- Prefabricated splints: These are ready-made splints, such as foam splints or braces, that provide structural support and pain control for chronic injuries.
- Custom-fitted splints: Fashioned by a doctor in an ER or office setting, these splints are designed to fit the patient's specific anatomy and restore the anatomic resting joint position.
Additionally, there are various splints designed for specific body parts, such as finger splints, sugar tong splints for the forearm or wrist, and ulnar gutter splints for the little finger. The type of splint used depends on the nature and location of the injury.
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Frequently asked questions
A splint is a medical device used to stabilise and hold a body part in one position.
Hospital splints are typically made of rigid materials like metal, plaster, or plastic. They are usually padded with foam or fabric to prevent pressure sores while they're worn.
There are several types of splints, including static, serial static, static progressive, and dynamic splints. Each type offers varying levels of flexibility and adjustability to accommodate the patient's specific needs during the healing process.
The duration of wearing a splint depends on the type and severity of the injury. It may range from a few days to several weeks or even months. Healthcare providers determine the appropriate duration based on the patient's condition and the healing process.
