How to splint a broken finger or dislocated elbow/shoulder?

Published

I tried googling it but I just get so confused. Thanks in advance for the help

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

At. School. I. Don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

position of comfort until they get picked up and taken to ER!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

No splinting for me. Let them find their own comfort spot. No manipulating by me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, school nursing.

I do not do any splinting at school; that is beyond my pay grade!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

Agreed with the above. Position of comfort.. for a shoulder, if you happen to have a big enough rag or triangle cloth, you could tie it all the way around their body, holding their arm and wrist against their body so some of their effort of holding it in place is relieved - I've seen athletic trainers do this at my Private HS job - the kids come in and I Just distract them until the on-call MD comes to reduce it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope - no splinting here either. My last bad broken arm I had we had to call EMS, couldn't get ahold of parents - EMS told us just to keep the child still/comfortable and not to splint.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I prefer the term "immobilize." As others have mentioned, in the position of comfort, but if it is deformed or angulated I immobilize in that position and monitor distal CMS...circulation, motor control, and sensory, until they leave the clinic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

When I work at Urgent Care, I apply "splints" after the MD diagnosis. And I have splinted parts in deformed positions until surgical intervention.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't splint, wrap, or tape at school. Agree with immobilization and ice until EMS or parent arrives.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

A finger I probably wouldn't mess with. But I've splinted arms in the position they came to me. I use a flexible foam padded splinting material and wrap loosely with roll gauze or coban, then I put a triangle bandage on for support. THOSE are my nemesis.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
I prefer the term "immobilize." As others have mentioned, in the position of comfort, but if it is deformed or angulated I immobilize in that position and monitor distal CMS...circulation, motor control, and sensory, until they leave the clinic.

Same.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion