Posterior ankle splint

Background

• Also know as "Short-Leg Posterior Splint"
• Adding a coaptation splint (stirrup) to the posterior splint eliminates inversion / eversion - especially useful for unstable fracture and sprains.

Indications

• Distal tibia/fibula fracture
• Tarsal/metatarsal fracture
• Reduced dislocations
• Severe sprains
• Achilles tendon rupture (equinus position)

Procedure

• Assess distal pulse, motor, and sensation
• Apply padding and splint material (e.g. Ortho-glass) as shown
  • If patient can tolerate prone position and flexing knee to 90 degrees, will help with placement
  • Flex ankle to 90 degrees unless Achilles tendon rupture
  • Splint should run from plantar surface of the great toe or metatarsal heads along the posterior lower leg and ends 2 inches distal to the fibular head to avoid compression of the common peroneal nerve
• Maintain position until splint material hardens and secure to leg (e.g. ace wraps)
• Reassess distal pulse, motor, and sensation

See Also

• Splinting

References

Authors

Ross Donaldson