FIELD SPLINTING OF SUSPECTED FRACTURES - PREPARATION, ASSESSMENT, ANDAPPLICATION

Serious sports-related extremity injuries require a careful initial ev aluation and subsequent protection of the extremity. After ruling out life-threatening injury and assessing neurovascular status, the examin er must decide whether a splint is required. The onsite physician need s to know which of a wide variety of preformed splints and splinting m aterials are best for the most common upper-and lower-extremity injuri es. Appropriate padding, fit, and materials ensure optimal protection.