Fractures and

Splinting

MSTC, FT LEWIS WA
 Fractures
 A complete or partial break in the bone
(additional movement after the injury can cause
further damage

Closed Fracture (A break in the bone with no

break in the skin)

 Open Fracture (A break in the bone with a

break in the skin—high risk of infection)

Dislocation (bones in a joint forced out of proper

position)
Fractures
 Signs and Symptoms of
Fracture
 Bone sticking through skin
 Pain, tenderness, swelling and/or bruising at
a particular location

 Arm or leg appears shorter or is in an

abnormal position (looks deformed)

 Difficulty moving the affected extremity

 Massive injury to an arm or leg

Fractures
Splinting
 Prepare Casualty
 Reassure the casualty
 Locate site of fracture

 Check circulation below fracture

pulse, color, temperature and numbness

 Loosen any tight or binding clothing

 Remove jewelry from affected limb only

 Dress wounds, if any, before splinting

 Splinting
 Gather splinting materials (rigid objects, padding,
securing materials)

Position the securing materials, typically cravats, above

and below fracture site

 Position the rigid objects (immobilizing the joints above

and below the fracture site if possible)

 Apply padding (between rigid objects and patient)

 Secure the rigid objects on the outer edge of the splint

 Check circulation after each cravat is secured

Evacuate casualty as soon as possible

 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
 SAM Splint (Splint, Aluminum Malleable)
 Completely covered by foam padding
 Used as the rigid objects in splinting fractured:
• Wrists
• Forearms
• Upper arms
• Ankles
• Lower legs
 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
PREPARE THE CASUALTY

 Expose the injury site.

 Cut away any bulky clothing
 Check for a pulse below the fracture site
 Do not attempt to straighten the fractured
 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
 Unroll the SAM splint and flatten it.
 Fold the SAM splint in half so it is a tall V-shape.
 Form to the curve and shape of the limb being
splinted.
 Prepare cravats
• Muslin from:
bandages
• Blankets
• Clothing
• Tape in your aid bag
• 100 MPH tape
 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
 Apply splint so the fracture is between the two
sides of the splint

 Secure above the fracture site and below the

fracture site

 Use at least two cravats

 Two above and two below is better

 No cravats directly over the fracture site

 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
 Tie using non-slip knots
 Tie on the outside of the splint
 Tuck tails to prevent entanglement
 Apply a SAM Splint to a
Fractured Limb
 Check the casualty's pulse
If you cannot detect a pulse, loosen cravats and
reapply
If the casualty still does not have a pulse,
evacuate
 POP QUIZ!

Answer the following:

1) List 5 fracture sites that can be stabilized with a SAM

splint?

2) When should you check for a pulse?

3) True or false: When splinting a fractured limb you

should attempt to straighten it.
Questions????
Questions????