splinting

The purpose of the SplintER series is to teach the fundamentals and introduce advanced concepts of splinting to the Emergency Medicine (EM) professional. Humans have been splinting their injuries since 1300 B.C.1 Although the fundamentals have not changed, splint selection and application require some thoughtful consideration. A 2017 prospective, observational study in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics demonstrated that more than 90% of splints applied in the Emergency Department were inappropriate (30% applied by EM attendings), as evaluated by orthopaedic surgeons.2 While that number may not be representative in your institution, it certainly highlights the inadequacies that many of us feel when approaching a splint!

Starting tomorrow and then throughout this academic year, we will cover extremity injuries and splints. All information is expert peer-reviewed and edited by an Emergency Medicine / Sports Medicine specialist, such as Dr. Elizabeth Delasobera, the Sports Medicine Fellowship Director at Georgetown.

Any feedback is appreciated!

References

  1. Browner B D. Skeletal Trauma. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2009.
  2. Abzug J, Schwartz B, Johnson A. Assessment of Splints Applied for Pediatric Fractures in an Emergency Department/Urgent Care Environment. J Pediatr Orthop. January 2017. [PubMed]
William Denq, MD CAQ-SM

William Denq, MD CAQ-SM

Assistant Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Arizona
William Denq, MD CAQ-SM

@willdenq

Clinical Assistant Professor Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine University of Arizona George Washington University '18 University of Pittsburgh '14 and '10
Austin Smith, MD

Austin Smith, MD

Chief Resident
Department of Emergency Medicine
Vanderbilt University
Max Hockstein, MD

Max Hockstein, MD

Emergency Physician
Critical Care Fellow
Department of Anesthesiology
Emory University School of Medicine
Caleb Sunde, MD

Caleb Sunde, MD

Chief Resident
Department of Emergency Medicine
UCSF-Fresno
Caleb Sunde, MD

Latest posts by Caleb Sunde, MD (see all)

Elizabeth Delasobera, MD

Elizabeth Delasobera, MD

Emergency Medicine Attending
Sports Medicine Fellowship Director
Georgetown University
Elizabeth Delasobera, MD

Latest posts by Elizabeth Delasobera, MD (see all)