How to Splint a Fractured Hand

Splinting a fracture is important in reducing pain and for speeding healing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Assess for fracture (see "How to Assess for Fracture During First Aid").

2. Immobilize the injured hand. Any movement will be very painful and can worsen the injury.

3. Get some rigid material long enough to extend at least from above the wrist to the end of the fingers. One possibility is to cut an ensolite sleeping pad to the right length and then fold it over to increase rigidity.

4. Make sure the wrist is straight and that the hand is in the "position of function."

5. Put a wad of clothing, or some other soft material, into the injured person's hand to maintain the position of function.

6. Place the splinting material along the underside of the wrist and hand so that it extends from above the wrist to the end of the fingers.

7. Fold the splinting material up around the sides of the wrist.

8. Secure the splinting material into place by spiraling a roll of gauze around the wrist and hand from one end of the splint to the other.

9. Secure the gauze with athletic tape.

10. Place padding in any empty spaces between the splint and the wrist and hand.

11. Check circulation, sensation and motion beyond the fracture site, to make sure the splint isn't too tight.

12. Continue with further treatment for the fracture (see eHows on treating fractures).

Tips & Warnings

• You can use anything rigid for splinting. Just be sure to put a lot of padding between the splint and the wrist and hand.
• Contact the Wilderness Medicine Institute or the National Outdoor Leadership School for information on wilderness medicine courses and books.
• Don't secure the splint too tightly. This could impede circulation.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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