SPLINTS

AND
TRACTIO
NS
Rangeen
Chandran

SPLINT
Any

material used to support a fracture

is known as splint.
Unconventional.
Conventional.

INDICATIONS
Temporary

immobilization of sprains,
fractures, and reduced dislocations
Control of pain
Prevention of further soft tissue or
neurovascular injuries

CRAMER-WIRE SPLINT

CRAMER-WIRE SPLINT
Ladder

splint.
Used for temporary splintage of
fractures during transportation.
Made of 2 thick parallel wires with
interlacing wires.
Can be bent into different shapes.

THOMAS KNEE-BED
SPLINT
Thomas

splint.
Devised by Hugh. Owen Thomas.
Initially used for immobilisation for
tuberculosis of the knee.

PARTS OF THOMAS SPLINT

Consist

of:

Ring
Medial bar
Lateral bar

USE
Immobilisation

of lower limb

BOHLER BRAUN SPLINT

 Bohlers

modification of braun splint.

Consisted of only 1 pulley.

 Pulley acalcaneal/dis
tal tibeal
traction.
Pulley bdistal
femoral/proxi
mal tibial
traction
Pulley cchange angle
of traction

ADVANTAGES
Angle

of traction can be changed

without changing traction
arrangements.
Simultaneous tractions possible.

DISADVANTAGE
Not

suitable for transportation.

DENNIS BROWN SPLINT

Use-Club foot(CTEV)

ALUMINIUM FINGER
SPLINT

COCK-UP WRIST SPLINT

KNUCKLE BENDER
SPLINT

VOLKMANNS SPLINT

AEROPLANE SPLINT

SOMI BRACE

ASHE BRACE

TAYLORS BRACE

MILWAUKEE BRACE

BOSTON BRACE

CARE OF A PATIENT IN A
SPLINT
Splint

should be properly applied, well padded at

bony prominences and at the fracture sites
Bandage of the splint shouldnt be too tight nor
too loose.
Patient should be encouraged to actively
exercise the muscles and the joints inside the
splint as much as permitted.
Any compression of nerve or vessel should be
detected early and managed accordingly.
Daily checking and adjustments should be made.

TRACTION
Traction

is a method of restoring
alignment to a fracture through gradual
neutralisation of muscular forces.

USES
a)
b)
c)
d)

Reduction of fractures and dislocations.

Immobilising painful and inflamed joint.
Preventing deformities.
Correction of soft tissue contractures.

TYPES OF TRACTION
FIXED

TRACTION
Counter-traction is provided by a part of
the body.
SLIDING TRACTION
Weight of the body under influence of
gravity provides counter-traction.

METHODS OF APPLYING
TRACTION
SKIN

TRACTION
SKELETAL TRACTION

SKIN TRACTION
Adhesive/non

adhesive strap is
applied on skin and
traction applied.
Acts over large
area.
Max.wt permissible6.7kg.

SKELETAL TRACTION
Traction

applied through pin/wire driven

through bone.

 Pins
1.
2.

usedSteinmann pin
Denhams pin

K wire(Kirschners wire)

COMMON SITES FOR

SKELETAL TRACTION
Olecranon
Greater

trochanter
Lower end of femur
Upper end of tibia
Lower end f tibia
Calcaneum

SKIN TRACTION

SKELETAL
TRACTION

AGE

Children

Adults

APPLIED WITH

Adhesive plaster

Pin,wire

APPLIED

Skin

Bone

SITE

Below knee

Upper tibial pin

traction

Wt.PERMITTED

3-4 kg

20kg

DURATION

Short

long

COMPLICATIONS OF
TRACTION
Over

distraction
Loss of position
Pressure sores
Pin track infection
Injury to vessels or nerves

CARE OF PATIENT IN
TRACTION
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Traction should be made comfortable.

Proper functioning of traction unit must
be ensured.
Sensations over toes and fingers should
be normal.
Proper position of fracture ensured by
taking check xrays in traction.
Physiotherapy of limb should be
continued to minimise muscle wasting.