Long arm posterior splint

Background

• Doesn’t completely eliminate supination / pronation
  • Either add an anterior splint or use a double sugar tong splint if complex or unstable distal forearm fracture

Indications

• Elbow and forearm injuries
  • Distal humerus fracture
  • Both-bone forearm fracture
  • Unstable proximal radius or ulna fracture (sugar-tong better)

Procedure

• Assess distal pulse, motor, and sensation
• Apply padding and splint material (e.g. Ortho-glass) as shown, along posterior/ulnar aspect of arm
  • Splint should run from proximal palmar crease along ulna, on posterior side of a 90 degree flexed elbow, until 3 inches away from axilla
  • Wrist should be placed in slight extension (approximately 20°)
• Maintain position until splint material has hardened and secure splint to arm (e.g. ace wraps)
• Reassess distal pulse, motor, and sensation

See Also

• Splinting

References

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Michael Holtz, Ted Fan, Jonathan Snyder, Daniel Ostermayer