Does a splint work as well as a cast?
Does a splint work as well as a cast?
Splints, also known as half-casts, provide less support than casts, but are faster and easier to use. They also can be tightened or loosened easily if the swelling in the arm or leg increases or decreases.
What kind of splint is used for a broken hand?
Commonly Used Splints and Casts
| Area of injury | Type of splint |
|---|---|
| Hand/finger | Ulnar gutter, radial gutter, thumb spica, finger |
| Forearm/wrist | Volar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tong |
| Elbow/forearm | Long arm posterior, double sugar-tong |
| Knee | Posterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizer |
Can a broken hand heal in a splint?
Your doctor may have put your hand in a brace, splint, or cast to allow it to heal or to keep it stable until you see another doctor. It may take weeks or months for your hand to heal. You can help it heal with some care at home.
How do you splint a broken hand?
Splinting the hand
- Control any bleeding. First, treat any open wounds and control any bleeding.
- Place an object in the palm of the hand. Then place a wad of cloth in the palm of the injured person’s hand.
- Apply padding.
- Secure the padding.
- Seek medical help.
Is a splint heavier than a cast?
A cast is typically a fiberglass construct that can be molded specifically to the needs of the fracture and can be worn for several weeks as needed. This is more rigid than the temporary splint, but both may feel fairly heavy.
Is it OK to take a splint off?
A splint protects a broken bone or other injury. If you have a removable splint, follow your doctor’s instructions and only remove the splint if your doctor says it’s okay. Most splints can be adjusted.
Can a broken metacarpal heal without a cast?
Technically speaking, the answer to the question “can broken bones heal without a cast?” is yes. Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn’t work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.
Should you wrap a fractured hand?
If you’ve injured your hand, bandages can reduce swelling, restrict movement, and provide support to the muscles, bones, and joints. Certain hand injuries may heal better when bandaged. These include: fractures, sprains, and strains.
Can a bone move in a cast?
Many joints will tolerate six weeks of immobility from casting. Ankle fractures and wrist fractures commonly immobilize the broken bone with a cast, and these joints get moving pretty quickly when out of plaster.
Do you sleep with a splint on?
You may need to stay home from work for some time. It’s important to keep moving your wrist as you normally would, but to avoid putting too much strain on it. You can also wear a splint at night.