[tag-tec]Splintage[/tag-tec] is any external support to [tag-tec]fractured bone[/tag-tec] that would render it immobile.
Anything can be used for splintage a limb with fractured bone. Splints made for this purpose are available but at site of injury one needs to use anything that would serve the purpose.
Before we come to that we need to understand the rationale behind splintage a fractured limb.
Bone is covered by a membranous layer called [tag-tec]periosteum[/tag-tec]. Bone per se does not feel the pain. [tag-tec]Pain receptors[/tag-tec] are present in periosteum only.
The pain that a person feels after fracture is felt by soft tissues around the bone and periosteum.
Whenever the fragments of fractured bone move, the person feels severe pain. Therefore it is essential to immobilize the fractured fragments, so that minimal instances of pain occur.
Splint immobilizes the injured part and reduces pain.
Also, when there is a movement of fractured fragments there is a danger of injury to accompanying blood vessels & nerves that traverse the limb. If fracture is immobilized, these structures stay protected.
Injured bone bleeds and this results in swelling at the fractured site due to accumulation of blood. If limb is allowed to remain unsplinted, there is higher risk of bleeding and potential complication which can occur with such continued bleeding.
In nutshell, a splint reduces pain & minimizes the chance of associated complications. Anything can be used to splint a fractured bone- roll of newspaper cardboard, umbrella, stick are few examples.
Whenever splinting is done, it is necessary to immobilize one joint above and one joint below the fracture for maximum immobilization.
For example, if there is a fracture in leg bone (i.e. tibia), both ankle joints and knee joints need to be included in splinting.
This principle is followed in most of splinting methods with few exceptions.
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