Taber's Medical Dictionary
splint
(splint)
An appliance made of bone, wood, metal, plastics, composites, or plaster of Paris for the fixation, union, or protection of an injured part of the body. It may be movable or immovable.
SPLINT Patient with ankle fracture
SPLINTING OF THE LEG Splinting of the leg for an acutely dislocated patella, using a moldable aluminum splint. Note that part of the splint serves as a truss to maintain the current position of the knee.
Agnew splint
A splint for fractures of the patella and metacarpus.
air splint
A lightweight splint for immobilizing fractured or injured extremities. It is usually an inflatable cylinder, open at both ends, that becomes rigid when inflated, thus preventing the part confined in the cylinder from moving.
SYN: SEE: blow-up splint; SEE: inflatable splint Because of the tendency for the air cast to straighten out the limb as it is inflated, this device should not be used to immobilize joint dislocations or fractures with gross displacement.
airplane splint
An appliance usually for ambulatory patients in the treatment of fractures of the humerus. It takes its name from the elevated position in which it holds the arm suspended away from the body.
anchor splint
A splint for fractures of the jaw, with metal loops fitting over the teeth and held together by a rod.
Ashurst splint
A bracketed splint of wire with a footpiece to cover the thigh and leg after excision of the knee joint.
Balkan splint
A splint for continuous extension in a fracture of the femur.
banjo traction splint
A splint made out of a steel rod bent to resemble the shape of a banjo. It provides anchor points for attachments to the fingers in the treatment of contractures and fractures of the fingers.
Bavarian splint
An obsolete dressing in which plaster was applied between two layers of flannel.
Bennett double-ring splint
blow-up splint
SEE: Air splint.
Bond splint
A splint for fractures of the lower end of the radius.
Bowlby splint
SEE: Bowlby splint
box splint
A splint for fractures below the knee.
bracketed splint
A splint made up of two pieces of metal or wood united by brackets.
Cabot splint
A splint composed of a metal structure placed posterior to the thigh and leg.
Carter intranasal splint
A steel bridge with wings connected by a hinge, used for operation of a depressed nasal bridge.
coaptation splint
A small splint adjusted about a fractured part to prevent overriding of the fragments of bones. It is usually covered by a longer splint for fixation of entire section.
cock-up splint
A static splint to maintain the wrist in either extension or flexion.
cylinder splint
A splint constructed around an injured bone to reduce the potential for flexion contractures.
Denis Browne splint
A splint to treat talipes equinovarus (clubfoot), consisting of a curved bar attached to the soles of a pair of high-topped shoes. It is often used in late infancy and applied at bedtime. Its use generally follows casting and manipulation to reduce the deformity.
dorsal blocking splint
A splint constructed on the back of the hand to inhibit full extension of one or more of the finger joints and/or the wrist.
DORSAL BLOCKING SPLINT A dorsal blocking splint with dynamic traction for early controlled motion after flexor tendon repair
Dupuytren splint
dynamic splint
A splint that assists in movements initiated by the patient.
SYN: SEE: functional splint
finger splint
A padded strip of malleable metal or plastic used to immobilize a fractured finger. As an alternative, the injured finger is often “buddy taped” to an adjoining finger for support.
flail arm splint
ABBR: FAS An upper-extremity orthotic device to provide support and limited function, consisting of a shoulder-operated harness, a volar supporting structure made of low-temperature thermoplastic material, and a terminal device that allows the arm to grasp or stabilize objects.
Fox splint
A splint formerly used for a fractured clavicle.
functional splint
SEE: Dynamic splint.
Gibson walking splint
A splint that is a modification of a Thomas splint.
Gordon splint
A side splint used for the arm and hand in a Colles fracture.
inflatable splint
SEE: Air splint.
interdental splint
A rigid or flexible device or compound used to support, protect, or immobilize teeth that have been loosened, replanted, fractured, or subjected to surgical procedures.
Jones nasal splint
A splint used for the fracture of nasal bones.
Levis splint
A splint of perforated metal extending from below the elbow to the end of the palm, shaped to fit the arm and hand.
mandibular advancement splint
A device to maintain an open airway in patients who suffer partial upper airway collapse during sleep. It prevents airway obstruction by moving the jaw and tongue anteriorly.
SYN: SEE: oral mandibular advancement device
McIntire splint
A splint shaped like a double inclined plane, used as a posterior splint for the leg and thigh.
night splint
A splint placed on an injured limb or inflamed joint at bedtime, worn until awakening, and used to improve alignment, reduce movement, provide passive stretching and/or prevent further injuries.
occlusal splint
A splint covering the incisal and occlusal surfaces of a dental arch to stabilize the teeth, treat bruxism, or facilitate proper occlusal positioning.
opponens splint
A splint for maintaining the thumb in a position to oppose the other fingers.
padded board splint
A splint of wood, typically padded on one side and covered with plastic or cloth, to which an injured extremity can be fastened to immobilize it.
permanent fixed splint
A nonremovable splint firmly attached to an abutment used to stabilize or immobilize teeth. A fixed bridge may serve as a permanent fixed splint for such support.
resting hand splint
SEE: Resting pan splint.
resting pan splint
A splint to position the fingers and stabilize the hand in a functional position with the fingers held in opposition.
SYN: SEE: resting hand splint
static splint
Any orthosis that lacks movable parts and is used for positioning, stability, protection, or support.
Stromeyer splint
SEE: Stromeyer splint
sugar tong splint
A splint commonly used instead of a cast to immobilize a Colles fracture after it has been reduced. The splint permits the affected arm to swell without being compressed within the confines of the cast yet maintain its alignment. Follow-up diagnostic images of the fracture are typically obtained 5 to 7 days after placement of the splint to ensure that adequate reduction of the fracture is maintained.
temporary removable splint
Any of a variety of splints for temporary or intermittent support and stabilization of the teeth.
tenodesis splint
A splint allowing pinching and grasping movements through wrist extensors.
SYN: SEE: wrist-driven flexor hinge hand splint
Thomas splint
SEE: Thomas splint
traction splint
A splint that provides continual traction to a midshaft lower extremity fracture.
vacuum splint
A negative-pressure splint to immobilize the extremities or torso after an injury. It may be used to safely transport the injured person. The splint consists of a nylon appliance filled with Styrofoam-like beads. The appliance is fitted around the injured body part and air is removed using a vacuum pump. As air is removed, the appliance conforms to the body part without straightening the limb.Distal neurovascular function must be monitored after splint application. If decreased circulation or neurological involvement is noted, the splint must be loosened immediately.
VACUUM SPLINT
Volkmann splint
wrist-driven flexor hinge hand splint
SEE: Tenodesis splint.
