Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInjuries That Require a SplintSplint vs. CastTypes & MaterialsMaintenanceHealing Time & RemovalSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Injuries That Require a Splint
Splint vs. Cast
Types & Materials
Maintenance
Healing Time & Removal
Summary
“Splint” is a general term used to describe a removable device that temporarily immobilizes a joint after injury. However, splints can also be used to increase motion in astiff joint. These devices vary in materials from soft to rigid and can be applied to different joints in the arms and legs.
This article discusses the difference between a splint and a cast, injuries that require a splint, types of splints, fitting and maintenance of these devices, and general healing time frames for common injuries treated with a splint.
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What Is a Splint?For medical billing and coding purposes, a splint is the same as a cast and is used to immobilize a broken or dislocated bone. In this context, a removable splint is referred to as an orthosis.The term “splint” is also sometimes used to describe an injury—such asshin splints, which is pain along the bone at the front of the lower leg (shinbone).
What Is a Splint?
For medical billing and coding purposes, a splint is the same as a cast and is used to immobilize a broken or dislocated bone. In this context, a removable splint is referred to as an orthosis.The term “splint” is also sometimes used to describe an injury—such asshin splints, which is pain along the bone at the front of the lower leg (shinbone).
For medical billing and coding purposes, a splint is the same as a cast and is used to immobilize a broken or dislocated bone. In this context, a removable splint is referred to as an orthosis.
The term “splint” is also sometimes used to describe an injury—such asshin splints, which is pain along the bone at the front of the lower leg (shinbone).
The most common use of a splint is immobilizing an injured body part while it heals. It can also reduce pain with movement that can occur with chronic conditions.
Injuries that often require a splint include:
Sometypes of fracturescan be splinted rather than cast—particularly if the bones are still in proper alignment. Finger and toe fractures are also commonly splinted.
Splints can also help reduce the risk ofjoint or muscle contractures(a shortening and tightening of muscle fibers that reduces flexibility).
Splint vs. Cast Differences
The biggest difference between a splint and a cast is that a splint can be easily removed and reapplied. Casts have to be cut with acast sawfor removal.
Additional benefits of a splint vs. cast include:
Materials Used to Make a Cast For a Broken Bone
Types and Materials
There are many different types of splints. Common examples include:
Splints can be made out of a variety of materials, including:
Static vs. Dynamic
Splints can be categorized as static, static progressive, or dynamic, as follows:
Prefabricated vs. Custom
Depending on what body part is affected and the type of splint you need, you’ll get a prefabricated or custom splint, as follows:
Splint Fitting and DIY InstructionsA healthcare provider usually fits splints. An emergency medical technician (EMT) might apply a splint in an emergency. But there are also several ways you can make a temporary splint if you are alone or need to assist someone else who has been injured.An injured limb can temporarily be splinted using a stick, board, folded magazine, rolled piece of clothing, or other firm object. The splint can be secured with a necktie, belt, pieces of cloth, or tape.Make sure you can slip a finger between the limb and the ties to avoid cutting off blood flow to the injured area. Then, seek immediate medical attention
Splint Fitting and DIY Instructions
A healthcare provider usually fits splints. An emergency medical technician (EMT) might apply a splint in an emergency. But there are also several ways you can make a temporary splint if you are alone or need to assist someone else who has been injured.An injured limb can temporarily be splinted using a stick, board, folded magazine, rolled piece of clothing, or other firm object. The splint can be secured with a necktie, belt, pieces of cloth, or tape.Make sure you can slip a finger between the limb and the ties to avoid cutting off blood flow to the injured area. Then, seek immediate medical attention
A healthcare provider usually fits splints. An emergency medical technician (EMT) might apply a splint in an emergency. But there are also several ways you can make a temporary splint if you are alone or need to assist someone else who has been injured.
An injured limb can temporarily be splinted using a stick, board, folded magazine, rolled piece of clothing, or other firm object. The splint can be secured with a necktie, belt, pieces of cloth, or tape.
Make sure you can slip a finger between the limb and the ties to avoid cutting off blood flow to the injured area. Then, seek immediate medical attention
Splint Maintenance
While there are many benefits of using a splint, these devices require some maintenance and special care.
Possible Complications
A variety of complications can arise while using a splint, such as:
Call your healthcare provider if you have increased pain, numbness or tingling, or skin color changes in the splinted area.
Bathing and Showering
Depending on the injury, your healthcare provider might allow you to remove your splint for bathing and showering. However, many times, this isn’t an option. You’ll need to wrap your splint with a waterproof material, such as a plastic bag, to keep it dry.
How to Keep a Cast Dry in the Shower
Healing Timeline and Splint Removal
Fractures can heal as quickly as a few weeks or can take several months or more.Tendon ruptures typically heal within six to 12 weeks after surgery.Some chronic conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can require long-term, intermittent splint use when symptoms flare up.
Splints are devices temporarily used to immobilize an injured body part while it heals. They can also be used to increase range of motion in stiff joints. Splints can help treat fractures, muscle or tendon injuries, nerve compression conditions, and arthritis.
Healthcare professionals typically fit them, but some are available off-the-shelf. Splints might only be needed for a few weeks or as long as several months, depending on the severity of your condition.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Hand Therapists.Coding.Emergency Medicine Residents' Association.Splinting techniques.Bhave A, Sodhi N, Anis HK, et al.Static progressive stretch orthosis—consensus modality to treat knee stiffness—rationale and literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 7):S256. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.06.55American Society for Surgery of the Hand.What is a custom orthosis?National Library of Medicine.How to make a splint.American Academy of Family Physicians.Principles of casting and splinting.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).National Library of Medicine.Tendon repair.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Hand Therapists.Coding.Emergency Medicine Residents' Association.Splinting techniques.Bhave A, Sodhi N, Anis HK, et al.Static progressive stretch orthosis—consensus modality to treat knee stiffness—rationale and literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 7):S256. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.06.55American Society for Surgery of the Hand.What is a custom orthosis?National Library of Medicine.How to make a splint.American Academy of Family Physicians.Principles of casting and splinting.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).National Library of Medicine.Tendon repair.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Hand Therapists.Coding.Emergency Medicine Residents' Association.Splinting techniques.Bhave A, Sodhi N, Anis HK, et al.Static progressive stretch orthosis—consensus modality to treat knee stiffness—rationale and literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 7):S256. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.06.55American Society for Surgery of the Hand.What is a custom orthosis?National Library of Medicine.How to make a splint.American Academy of Family Physicians.Principles of casting and splinting.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).National Library of Medicine.Tendon repair.
American Society of Hand Therapists.Coding.
Emergency Medicine Residents' Association.Splinting techniques.
Bhave A, Sodhi N, Anis HK, et al.Static progressive stretch orthosis—consensus modality to treat knee stiffness—rationale and literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 7):S256. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.06.55
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.What is a custom orthosis?
National Library of Medicine.How to make a splint.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Principles of casting and splinting.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).
National Library of Medicine.Tendon repair.
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