A fractured bone in the hand can be very painful, and even the smallest movement can make it worse.The bones, tendons, tissues, and other ligaments are supported by a splint.As this will help to keep broken bones immobile and as straight as possible for healing, it's a good idea to suck a fractured hand.Maintaining stability and reducing swelling can help reduce pain.Once you understand their purpose and application, you can make temporary hand splints out of everyday objects.A hand injury in a makeshift splint should be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Step 1: Understand the terms for applying splints.
It is important to understand the basic terms when describing the application of a cast or splint.Flexion is a bending movement that decreases the angle between the segments.Think of the movement applied to clenching a fist as a way to make a splint for the hand.The muscles in your fingers are used to make a fist.Extension is a movement that increases the angle between body parts.This is the opposite of making a fist with your hand.Extension is moving your joints away from each other.
Step 2: The joints are near the injury site.
To keep free movement of the injury to a minimum, splints should be applied to the joint above and all the joints below it.
Step 3: There are different techniques for splinting.
It depends on the injury.General guidelines follow the next two methods.There are specific injuries that require slightly different splinting techniques.The split should be placed along the palm side of the hand.The wrist should only have about 20 degrees of extension.For injuries to the thumb, a thumb spica splint can be used and will allow the uninjured fingers to function normally.The thumb should be placed in a straight position.The thumb spica splint will keep the wrist and thumb immobile, adhering to the policy of splinting above and below the injured joint.If you have a single finger injury, you can purchase aluminum splints with foam padding, which can be shaped to the right position.Alternatively, you can use a tongue depressor cut to the correct size.When there is only one injury to the smallest finger of your hand, an ulnar gutter splint can be used and will allow range of motion to other fingers, possibly allowing for continued day-to-day use of the hand.The ulnar bone is located on the opposite side of the thumb.The little finger is attached to the ring finger in the splint in order to provide more support for the wrist.
Step 4: Find a piece of metal.
It should be a straight object that is at least as long as the distance from the middle of the forearm to the fingers.An object that forms to the shape of the arm, wrist and hand is ideal.A hand splint can be made with the help of a rolled up newspaper.The injured person can grasp the handle of a first-aid kit with their fingers if they have a fractured hand.
Step 5: The hand needs to be prepared for the procedure.
Put cotton or cloth between the fingers of the hand to absorb sweat.
Step 6: As needed, cut or make the splint.
Measure the length of the splint to make sure it can adequately hold the hand and fingers.The length of the splint should be from the middle of your forearm to the fingertips.Curve the splint so that it follows the curve of the injured limb and provides cupping support to the wrist/arm/elbow.Put cotton padding on your hand.
Step 7: There are two things to do: position and the splint.
While positioned in a safe and natural resting position, sphints are meant to allow an injury to safely recover.In a neutral position, the hand and wrist should be applied with the splint.The relaxed and natural position of the resting hand is known as a neutral position.The wrist is usually at a position of 20 degrees extension and the metacarpophalangeal.The base of your fingers are called the MCP joints.The interphalangeal joints are between your fingers and the MCP joints.Allow the fingers to flex naturally for finger injuries.There shouldn't be anything that prevents the fingers from flexing or bending.
Step 8: Wrap the area.
Use a clean cloth or belt.Wrap it around the wrist area to keep it in place.Don't wrap the splint tightly.The work should be done above the injury site.Wrap the injury up and put a different colored bandage over it.The doctor can only remove the bandage over the injury to assess it, leaving the splint in place for support.A cast isn't a cast and should allow for more mobility.There will be no flexing and too much constant pressure on the injury if the splint is wrapped too tightly.The splint needs to be wrapped tightly to make it secure.If you squeeze over the fingernail, you can check for circulation.Circulation is good if the color returns to the fingernail in good time.Rewrap the bandage and retest the capillary refill.
Step 9: The splint should not be removed.
Remove it under the supervision of your doctor.
Step 10: The injured hand should be covered with a splint.
Make sure the injured hand rests comfortably and straight with fingers bent around the end of the splint.The cotton pieces should be between the fingers.
Step 11: Wrap the finger.
Four layers of cotton gauze or padding should be used starting around the hand and winding up the arm at least half way to the elbow.Adding padding helps protect the hand and forearm from the heat of the plaster and keeps the cast from rubbing against the skin.Don't wrap the splint tightly against the injury, as was described in the previous section.To provide adequate support, the splint should be held in place.Before you go to Paris, you should check the capillary refill of your fingers.
Step 12: Use plaster of Paris strips.
The plaster of Paris is the right width for the body.If necessary, cut the strips.You can squeeze out the excess water by dipping them in warm water.The plaster is not sopping wet.Wrap the strips around the padding.Make sure the water is cold.If the strips are dipped in hot water, you risk burning the patient's skin because the plaster will warm up as it sets.fiberglass is more expensive than plaster and can be used for the outer layer.The plaster of Paris strips is applied in the same way as fiberglass.Only a doctor can apply fiberglass to a cast, as the doctor should assess the injury and make sure it is set properly.
Step 13: Immobilize the hand.
For several minutes, maintain the desired position of the splint and hand to allow it to dry.fiberglass dries in 15 to 30 minutes, whereas plaster takes more than a half hour to set.
Step 14: The ice should be applied to the injury.
Place ice on the top of the hand by wrapping it in a towel or cloth.Wrap a bandage or cloth around the broken hand to keep it from swelling.It's a bad idea to apply ice to the skin.For 10 to 20 minutes at a time, apply an ice pack or cold compress.Make sure the ice doesn't get wet.It is possible to decrease swelling of the hand by applying ice.
Step 15: The hand should be raised.
Keeping the injured hand elevated above the level of your heart can help to reduce swelling and increase drainage of fluid.Keeping your hand elevated during the first week of your injury is extremely important as elevation of the hand is the most effective way to promote healing.If you develop numbness or pressure in the cast, you should go to the doctor to have it checked out.Keeping the hand elevated and not dangling along the side of the body is important when walking.Arm slings can be prescribed by your doctor, but they usually keep your hand below the level of your heart, and they can increase the likelihood of shoulder stiffness.When caring for a fractured arm, an arm sling is not a necessity.An elevation sling is better for support than a traditional sling.The wrist and hand are close to the body for protection.
Step 16: Take a pain medication.
If you are feeling a lot of pain, you can take a number of drugs.They are available over the counter.Dosage recommendations can be found on the bottle.
Step 17: You should consult your physician.
Your doctor will be able to assess the treatment after the first week.If you experience any of the following, you should immediately call your doctor.