
A radial gutter splint immobilizes the index and middle fingers after a fracture. It's called "radial gutter" because it wraps around the side of the forearm formed by the radius bone. A splint is a medical device made of wood or other rigid material. It is used to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone.
How is a radial gutter splint used to immobilize a metacarpal injury?
The radial gutter splint provides both volar and dorsal splint immobilization of these metacarpal injuries. Cut out a 3- or 4-inch splint material to the length necessary to immobilize the wrist and MCP joint. Bisect the splint longitudinally from the fingertips to the wrist. Insert a dry gauze or cotton material between the 2nd and 3rd fingers.
What type of splint should I use for a broken finger?
A short arm volar splint is usually applied, because a fracture should be immobilized one joint distal and proximal to the injury. This splint, however, unnecessarily immobilizes the 4th and 5th fingers. It makes gripping things with your hand difficult. Trick of the Trade: Radial Gutter Splint
What are the complications of a radial gutter splint?
What are the complications of a radial gutter splint? 1 Skin burns due to excess heat used during splinting 2 Pressure sores 3 Skin allergies 4 Swelling and pain 5 Joint stiffness and reduced movement More ...
What is a splint used for?
A splint is a medical device made of wood or other rigid material. It is used to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone. A splint usually helps to maintain any part of the body in a fixed position. The most common use of splints is in emergency settings to keep a detached bone in position until a surgeon can look at it.

When do you use a radial gutter splint?
A radial gutter splint immobilizes the index and middle fingers after a fracture. It's called "radial gutter" because it wraps around the side of the forearm formed by the radius bone. A splint is a medical device made of wood or other rigid material. It is used to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone.
What are gutter splints used for?
Ulnar gutter splints are devices applied to immobilize fractures of the 4th and 5th metacarpal. Ulnar gutter splints are applied along the ulnar side of the forearm and hand to immobilize the 4th and 5th digits and prevent shortening of collateral ligaments during immobilization.
When do you use ulnar gutter splints?
An ulnar gutter splint can be used for various injuries in the hand including the following:Soft-tissue hand injuries to the little and ring fingers.Fractures anywhere in the pinky and ring fingers.Positioning and healing of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
How do you do a radial gutter splint?
4:156:47Using a radial gutter splint correctly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBeginning at the proximal end the slab is secured in place by winding a crepe bandage around theMoreBeginning at the proximal end the slab is secured in place by winding a crepe bandage around the forearm. And wrist. The bandage should pass around the second and third fingers. Then over the palm.
Which splint is used for fracture?
Commonly Used Splints and CastsArea of injuryType of splintForearm/wristVolar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tongElbow/forearmLong arm posterior, double sugar-tongKneePosterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizerTibia/fibulaPosterior ankle (mid-shaft and distal fractures), bulky Jones3 more rows•Sep 1, 2009
What does a gutter splint look like?
3:0112:41Splint like a pro: Ulnar gutter splint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWorld owner gutter splint is this you have them lying on their back.MoreWorld owner gutter splint is this you have them lying on their back.
Is an ulnar gutter splint a short arm splint?
Any injuries to the fourth or fifth proximal phalanges, the metacarpals, the ulnar side of the wrist, or the distal ulna are amenable to an ulnar gutter splint, a specific type of short arm splint.
What are the 4 types of splints?
Splint TypesLong leg posterior splint.Stirrup splint.Posterior ankle splint.
What type of splint is used for a metacarpal fracture?
A gutter splint or cast should be used to immobilize a metacarpal fracture. This is often definitive management for fractures that meet acceptable radiographic parameters. A gutter splint may be modified based on the location of the injured finger.
How do you apply ulnar gutter splints?
0:001:10Ulnar Gutter Splint (How-to) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe padded portion of the cast against the skin I generally ask the patient to help me hold the castMoreThe padded portion of the cast against the skin I generally ask the patient to help me hold the cast in place while I secure with. Clean. It's important to leave the thumb.
How do you make a hand based radial gutter splint?
0:5012:07Splinting: Radial Gutter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom this here I'll come at about a 45 degree angle. Up over the inter phalangeal joint of the thumbMoreFrom this here I'll come at about a 45 degree angle. Up over the inter phalangeal joint of the thumb the IP joint of the thumb. And then down. Then I'll drop that straight down to the forearm.
How do you apply ulnar gutter cast?
1:212:20Ulnar gutter cast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply the plaster starting with the fingers molding to conform with the fingers in hand. AndMoreApply the plaster starting with the fingers molding to conform with the fingers in hand. And smoothing the material into a gutter shape. Don't forget to hold that Zed.
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What is the purpose of folding a splint tail?
Fold the splint “tails” so that it sandwiches the volar and dorsal aspects of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal.
Why do you need a short arm volar splint?
A short arm volar splint is usually applied, because a fracture should be immobilized one joint distal and proximal to the injury. This splint, however, unnecessarily immobilizes the 4th and 5th fingers. It makes gripping things with your hand difficult.
How to immobilize wrist and MCP joint?
Cut out a 3- or 4-inch splint material to the length necessary to immobilize the wrist and MCP joint. Bisect the splint longitudinally from the fingertips to the wrist. Insert a dry gauze or cotton material between the 2nd and 3rd fingers. Fold the splint “tails” so that it sandwiches the volar and dorsal aspects of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal.
