Splinting and Casting

24-48 hr to fully dry, report increased pain, fever, feeling tightness or pressure, pallor/coldness

Result of compartment syndrome, permanent shortening of forearm muscles, usually resulting in injury

Finger sprains, minor fractures of phalanges

Partial or complete displacement of one bone from another

Facilitates restoring the joint to normal position which facilitates healing

Fracture, separation of AC joint, fracture of joint capsule, abnormal NV status,dislocation of a hip, longer than a few days

Eat soft foods, avoid opening mouth wide for 3-4 weeks, place hand under chin when yawn, perform jaw exercises

Severe pain, fullness in anterior capsule, sulcus sign (space under acromion 1cm for normal,3cm severe), limited ROM, arm abducted

Assess radial/brachial pulses, cap refill, nerve/muscle function, Xray (AP, lateral, oblique, fat pad sign)

Edema or ecchymosis, fracture, mechanism of injury inconsistent, presence of vascular or neurological compromise

Acetaminophen, ROM in 1 week( increase after 10-14 days), keep splint in place, RTC 1 week, F/U x-ray 2-3 weeks

Finger swollen and malformed, limited ROM, Assess NV, x-ray AP, Lateral

Acetaminophen, RTC 1 week, start flexion/extension 1 week, keep in place 3-4 weeks

Acetaminophen, RTC 1 week, splint 4-6 weeks, begin flexion and extension at 4-6 weeks

Check NV, x-ray to r/o fx, thumb dislocation usually a ligament tear refer to ortho, may need sedation