injuries poisoning
How To Apply an Ulnar Gutter Splint
Step by Step Description of Procedure
Wear nonsterile gloves. Apply stockinette, covering the area from the mid-forearm to the metacarpals. Insert padding between the 4th and 5th fingers to prevent skin maceration and then wrap padding around both the fingers. Continue wrapping the padding from the MCP joint to the mid-forearm slightly beyond the area to be covered by the splint material; overlap each turn by half the width of the padding and periodically tear the wrapping across its width to decrease the risk of tissue compression. Smooth the padding as necessary. Tear any areas of excess padding to prevent areas of increased pressure on the skin. Lay out a length of splint material matching the distance from the DIP joints of the 4th and 5th fingers to the mid-forearm along the ulnar surface of the forearm—it should be just shorter than the area covered by the padding. Unroll additional splint material, folding it back and forth along the first length until there are 8 to 10 layers (when using single-layer rolls). Alternatively, if using ready-made splint material, cut a single piece to the above length. Immerse the splinting material in lukewarm water. Squeeze excess water from the splinting material (do not wring out plaster). Apply the splint material along the ulnar side of the 5th finger, wrist, and forearm and fold it in a U-shape around the dorsal and volar surfaces of the 4th and 5th fingers, hand, and wrist. Fold the extra stockinette and cotton padding over the edges of the splinting material. Wrap the elastic wrap over the splinting material distally to proximally and overlap each revolution by half the width of the elastic wrap. Smooth out the splinting material using your palms rather than your fingertips to conform to the contour of the arms to fill in the interstices in the material. Maintain the MCP joints of the 4th and 5th finger at 70 to 90°flexion, the PIP and DIP joints in slight flexion, and the wrist in neutral position until the splinting material hardens. Do not immobilize the thumb, index finger, or middle finger in the splint. Check the distal neurovascular status (eg, capillary refill, distal sensation, finger flexion and extension). 