How to Make a Preliminary Splint for a Fractured Femur

Splinting a fracture of the femur - the large bone in the upper part of the leg - is a two-stage process. This is the first stage.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Assess for a fracture (see "How to Assess for Fracture").

2. Immobilize the injury: Any movement is not only very painful but can worsen the injury.

3. Apply traction: Have a second rescuer gently pull on the heel to straighten the leg. Maintain traction throughout the splinting process.

4. Find rigid material that is long enough to extend from the crotch to below the knee. One possibility is to cut an ensolite sleeping pad to the correct length and then fold it over to increase rigidity.

5. Gather materials to tie the splint into place. Any of the following will do: pack straps, rope, clothing, belts, bandannas, triangular bandages.

6. Make sure the leg is straight.

7. Place the splinting material along the underside of the leg (hamstring) so that it extends from the crotch to below the underside of the knee.

8. Fold the splinting material up around the sides of the leg.

9. Tie the splinting material into place below and above the fracture. Make sure the knee is immobilized.

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

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

12. Put the leg into a traction splint (see "How to Make a Traction Splint for a Fractured Femur").

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use tent poles, trekking poles, ice axes, or pack frames for splinting. Just be sure to put a lot of padding between the splint and the leg.
• Muscle spasms tend to pull against the traction that the second rescuer is applying. Without traction, these spasms yank the broken bone into angulation, causing extreme pain and risking heavy bleeding. So maintain traction at all times.
• Femur fractures are often associated with heavy bleeding. Maintaining traction can reduce bleeding.
• If heavy bleeding is present, treat the bleeding first (see "How to Treat Severe Bleeding").
• Don't tie the splint on too tight. This could impede circulation.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[JoeyC]

on 1/26/2007 Broken femur = figure skating pastime in jeopardy.