What is the emergency traction splint？

Femoral shaft fracture is a serious but uncommon injury in the prehospital setting. Management of these fractures includes fixation, analgesia, infusion, and appropriate transfer femoral traction splints for temporary stabilization and possibly reduction of femoral shaft fractures. An emergency femoral traction splint is designed to apply traction to the lower extremity at the distal end of the fracture, usually to pull the ankle away from the stable pelvis.

Emergency traction splints are used to reduce and immobilize long bone fractures of the femur. A splint is a medical device used to prevent an injured body part from moving and protect it from further damage.

Traction splint used for

When an injured person is taken to a hospital for more advanced treatment, an emergency splint is often used to stabilize the fracture. It can also adjust the length to obtain a more practical package length and shorter patient package movement. It can also be used if you have a severe strain or sprain in one of your limbs. Properly placed, splints can help reduce the pain of an injury by ensuring that the injured area is still.

If you or a loved one is injured at home or in activities such as hiking, you can make a temporary splint around your material. So you’re out in the open, enjoying the fresh air, away from civilization, and suddenly your friend slips and — bam! Maybe he fell on his outstretched hand, or she landed in her lap. Either way, you have a bad feeling that the bone might be broken. Your friends are in pain, and you’re far away from anyone who can help you. The first thing you must do with any injury is figure out how quickly you need help and if you can fix it yourself.

Ideally, if your mobile or satellite phone, radio or GPS tracker has a built-in emergency, you will be able to call for help signals. When you ask for help, be brief and direct. But it’s hard to measure the severity of a person’s injury. Injuries to the head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis are particularly troublesome. When you are going to put a traction splint on the injury, it is best to have the injured person put on a shirt or pants. Removing their clothes might compress the broken bones more, insulating them from the elements. You should put the broken splint in place and the arm or leg in the normal position. Placing a splint over a broken bone prevents it from moving around and prevents further damage to muscles, nerves and blood vessels. It can also reduce a person’s suffering quickly and dramatically. Your splint should be rigid, well filled, and long enough to hold the joint above and below the fracture. Make sure the splint is properly filled with gauze, clothing, or whatever else you have on hand. If you have a bone injury, make sure you don’t tie the splint too tightly.