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