Dean Salmon
40077459
Mid-shaft fractures of
the Femur
Used in the emergency
department to support
the fracture and allow
for easier mobilisation
of the patient until
surgery is performed
Used to realign the
limb and reduce pain
Contraindications for the use of traction splint:
Injury is close to the knee
Injury to the knee
Injury to the hip
Injury to the pelvis
Partial amputation or avulsion with bone
separation
Distal limb is connected only by marginal
tissue.
Lower leg or ankle injury
• S/M/L Thigh Hoop
• Splint frame & Skin Traction
• 3 sets of Velcro Slings
• Roll of Gamgee
Apply the skin
traction along each
side of the leg to
bare skin, starting
from the sole of
the foot
Get an assistant to
hold the traction
while wrapping a
crepe bandage
along the length of
the leg; from just
above the ankle to
the groin and
secure it with a clip
Position the
patient lying on
their back
Measure the thigh
circumference and
the inner leg
length to get
correct hoop and
splint sizes
Select the correct hoop from the thigh
circumference
The frame of the splint can be adjusted to the
correct length of the leg
When this is done
attach the hoop to
the frame by
inserting the rods
into the housings
on each end of the
tubes until a click
is heard
The splint can then
be adjusted for the
right or left leg by
extending the
appropriate side to
make an angle of
20-30 degrees
Drape the slings
over the splint
and secure with
Velcro to form a
trough where
the leg will sit
3 or 4 slings can
be used
depending on
the length of the
leg
Place the longest
piece of gamgee
along the length
of the splint on
top of the slings
and trim
accordingly
Fold the smaller
piece of gamgee
and place it
behind the knee to
act as a fulcrum
giving the knee
extra support
Lift the leg and place
the splint underneath
with the hoop and
strap reaching as far
up as the ischeal
tuberosity
Make sure there is
adequate room
beneath the foot in the
splint to apply the
traction system
The strings at
the bottom
should be
tied into a
reef knot and
the excess
slack should
be taken up
by the use of
a windlass
(using 3-4
lollipop sticks
taped
together)
Raise the leg with a
pillow whilst fully
encasing the splint
with a final layer of
crepe bandages to
secure the splint
A number of different
pulley systems may
then be considered to
elevate the leg whilst
lying in bed
There are a
number of
different pulley
and cord systems
which can be built
over the bed to
raise the leg up
off the bed for
additional
support.
2 examples of
these are shown
