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Splint
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A splint is a rigid device that is used to support an injured body part. Splints are usually used on a short-term basis, to prevent movement until medical help is received.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
A splint can be used for many different injuries, including the following:
Learn more about the causes and risks for these conditions by reading the related articles.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
Symptoms will vary, depending on the type of injury that requires the use of a splint. Splints are often used for injuries that involve the following symptoms:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the injury recognized?
The individual will generally have pain, swelling, and limited movement of the injured body part.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the injury?
Sports safety guidelines should be followed by adults, adolescents, and children.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
A splint is a first aid, short-term treatment for an injured body part. Here is how you can make a splint.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
First aid treatment with a splint seldom has side effects. If the splint is too tight, it may cause loss of blood flow to the area.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
After a splint has been applied, seek care from a doctor. He or she can recommend the right treatment, which will help to:
Attribution
Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:08/30/02
Reviewer:Melinda Murray Ratini, DO
Date Reviewed:08/15/02