Posterior ankle splint

(Redirected from Posterior Ankle Splint)

Background

  • Also know as "Short-Leg Posterior Splint"
  • Adding a coaptation splint (i.e., combining with an ankle stirrup splint) eliminates inversion / eversion
    • Especially useful for unstable fracture and sprains

Indications

Procedure

Posterior Ankle Splint.gif

Splint Application General Procedure

  • Assess pre-procedure neurovascular status (i.e., distal pulse, motor, and sensation) [1]
  • Measure and prepare the splinting material
    • May use contralateral extremity if easier
    • Most splints use a width slightly greater than the diameter of the limb
  • Apply stockinette (if applicable)
    • Extend 2" beyond estimated the splinting material length
  • Apply padding (if applicable)
    • Use 2–3 layers over the area to be splinted / between digits (when applicable)
    • Add an extra 2–3 layers over bony prominences
  • Apply splinting material
    • Lightly moisten the splinting material.
    • Place as appropriate to specific splint type
    • Once finished, if applicable fold the ends of stockinette back over the splinting material if there is excess
  • Apply elastic bandaging (e.g., ace wrap)
  • While still wet
    • May further mold the splint to the desired shape
    • Maintain position until splint material has hardened
  • Re-check and document repeat neurovascular status

Splint-Specific Details

  • Apply padding and splint material as shown in figure
    • If patient can tolerate prone position and flexing knee to 90 degrees, it will help with placement
    • If combining with ankle stirrup splint, place posterior ankle splint first
  • Splint course:
    • Start at plantar surface of the great toe or metatarsal heads
    • Extend along posterior lower leg
    • End 2-inches distal to the fibular head (to avoid compression of the common peroneal nerve) [1]
  • Key anatomic positions

See Also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0901/p491.html Accessed April 5, 2017