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Wrap a cravat or strip of cloth loosely around the upper thigh Tie around the end of a stout stick
The improvised traction splint in place and functioningsee traction detail below
Wrap the entire leg with a 6 ACE bandagedo not wrap so tight as to impede circulation
Traction Detail
3A
Foot is wrapped (see detail below) and attached to stick with a hitch that places the entire system under light tension
3B
B C
S-Hitch Detail
This hitch is a useful alternative to the sprained ankle hitch
Foot-Wrap Detail
The sprained ankle hitch is the standard tie-off method, creating a strong and stable point from which to pull tractionsee th S-Hitch alternative to the right It is important to maintain manual traction throughout the process
1 2
September/October 2006
3/26/13 2:40 PM
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3/26/13 2:40 PM
places in North America use vacuum mattresses. These are effective and much more comfortable. They are also excellent for patient/spine protection. When a vacuum mattress is not available, we package femurs by incorporating solid, buddy splint padding within the carrying systems. 11. Under conditions where a traction device may be indicated and acceptable, improvised splints are not a suitable alternative. They will perform less well than a manufactured variety. The effectiveness of any is dependent on available materials and creativity. I suspect there a few Wilderness First Responder students who will do a really fine job. On the whole, however, most will not be able to make a passable one after less than 6 months from their course. It was not a simple matter to remove improvised traction splints from our curriculum. Students had fun and on occasion we were impressed with their ingenuity. In the end, however, it was hard to justify spending an hour on a skill that would be infrequently used with a device that is of questionable value. Management of femur injuries are covered during splinting on our courses and we include vacuum mattresses on our specialized courses. More of our instructors are buying them for use on their courses. Bottom line: Femur fractures are serious injuries that usually occur as the result of significant forces. A full assessment, focusing on critical system problems and their stabilization is the crucial first step. Effective stabilization of femur injuries will help alleviate pain and decrease the possibility of complications. I believe that either a vacuum splint or good padding in a stable carrying device does a good job of providing both. Although there is no literature supporting their efficacy in the prehospital setting, a commercial traction splint can be a useful tool when applied by a skilled practitioner who receives periodic training on a particular device and/or uses it during rescues or EMS calls. They should not be left on for a prolonged period of time (e.g., greater than 2 hours) unless limb neurovascular integrity and splint tension can be monitored properly and regularly. Regardless, these are painful injuries. All require the administration of analgesics. Be Sociable, Share!
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I think if you look at the history of when traction splints were first used extensively in the first world war there was a significant decrease in mortality from femur fractures when they were applied. The time factor is a point for discussion. I would certainly want one used on me if I broke my femur. They are easy to improvise and monitor with a conscious patient. The neurological issues are clearly a problem with an unconscious patient
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