A splint is an adjustable device that protects and immobilizes a broken bone on one or two sides. It may also support the joints near the broken bone and put the ligaments at rest. In addition, a splint prevents damage to the surrounding tissues and muscles, reducing the amount of swelling and bleeding from the ruptured capillaries in the injured limb.
Hand and Finger Splints
Hand and finger splints, normally formed out of plastic, are designed to facilitate rehabilitation of an injured hand, wrist or fingers by decreasing pain and protecting the extremity from further injury. A hand splint is utilized in the event of hand damage or deformity caused either by an injury or some types of medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Leg Splints
A leg splint is used for fractures of the tibia--the lateral and smaller of the two long bones in the lower leg between the knee and ankle--and of the fibula, the long, slender bone that runs parallel to the tibia. A leg splint provides rigid support and protection to the knee of an injured leg by joining the femur--the thigh bone or upper leg bone--to the tibia and fibula in the lower leg.
Back Splints
A back splint is formed of malleable rods or tubes so that it can be manually shaped by emergency personnel at the scene of an accident with the goal of moving the injured person away from the site without causing further injury or damage. A back splint with foot piece and side splints is used when both a person's tibia and fibula are fractured.
Splints for Headaches and Dental Problems
Splints for headaches and dental problems are considered for patients with temporomandibular dysfunction, a condition that affects the joint between the temporal bone and the mandible or lower jaw. Migraines headaches, jaw joint pain and trouble eating are often the complications of this joint disorder. A dental splint can cure some of these problems by inhibiting teeth grinding, jaw muscle fatigue and joint popping.
