THUMB SPICA SPLINTING

Course overview

HAND AND WRIST INJURIES AFFLICT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION AND IMPACT PATIENTS OF ALL AGES AND ACTIVITY LEVELS. SPLINTING CAN BE EFFECTIVE AS A TEMPORARY IMMOBILIZATION MEASURE AND PROVIDES ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM FURTHER SOFT TISSUE INJURY SECONDARY TO THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT WHEN THE TECHNIQUE IS PERFORMED CORRECTLY. ACUTE INJURIES ARE WELL-SUITED TO SPLINTING AS SPLINTING ACCOMMODATES FOR ANTICIPATED SWELLING, WHEREAS CASTING DOES NOT. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN PLACING THUMB SPICA SPLINTS, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HAND INJURIES.