Has your child been fitted with a splint? Don't worry, let's find out exactly what it is!

Did your child suddenly get an injury, like an arm or a leg, and the doctor put a splint on him? Or do you want to know what a splint is, how to use it, and how to take care of it? Then this article will be very important for you. Let's talk about this simply and friendly, like talking to a friend.

What exactly is a splint?

Simply put, a splint is a support that helps to keep an injured or injured part of your body, such as an arm, leg, or finger, in one place. It is made of a strong, rigid material. Think of it like putting a piece of wood on a broken limb to keep it straight. This gives the part a rest and allows it to heal.

What are these splints made of?

A splint can be made of a variety of materials. Some are made of plastic , others are made of metal , or plaster , and sometimes even a special, lightweight and strong material called fiberglass . These are sometimes pre-made, in a specific size. That is, they come in sizes like 'S', 'M', and 'L'. Or, the doctor can make a new one for you right away, according to your injury, that is, the size of the hand in the case of an arm, or the size of the leg in the case of a leg. These can sometimes be one long piece, or they can be made by joining several pieces together and making it fit your body part perfectly.

What exactly does a splint do? Why are they used?

There are several benefits to this. The main thing is that a splint properly fixes the broken bones and joints and keeps them immobile. Only then can they heal properly. Imagine that your child falls while playing and breaks a bone in their hand, which we call a fracture . At such a time, if the broken part moves, it will not heal properly. The pain will be more. That is why a splint like this is put on and the broken part is kept immobile. Also, even after surgery , these are used to protect the relevant area until it heals, and to give that part a rest. For example, if you have surgery on a vein in your hand or leg, you can put a splint on that area to keep it immobile until it heals. Another thing is that there are some diseases that affect the joints, for example , arthritis . In this, the joints swell and become painful. For those who have such problems, splints are used to relieve the pain in those joints. Not only that, if there are weaknesses related to some muscles , that is, if a muscle is not working properly, if it seems to be paralyzed (we sometimes call this (Palsies)In such cases, splints are used to support the relevant muscle or to keep the relevant joint in the correct position.

Why do doctors sometimes decide to put a splint instead of a cast?

You may be wondering, 'Why did they put a splint on me instead of a cast?' Well, usually when a bone breaks, the injured area swells up a lot. This is natural. If you suddenly put a tight cast on it at a time like that, as the swelling increases, it can become even tighter, blocking blood flow, and making the pain unbearable. Just think, how the plaster on the outside gets even tighter when the inside swells! The advantage of a splint is that it can be loosened and adjusted a little bit. That means, if necessary, you can loosen the bandages a little and let the swelling go. Therefore, it is best and safest to put on a splint in the first few days of swelling. Then, after a few days or a week or two, when the swelling has subsided, the doctor may remove the splint and replace it with a cast that provides better, tighter protection. A cast provides more protection and stability until a broken bone is fully healed.

If we have a splint, how should we take care of it? Be sure to remember these things!

If a splint is not properly cared for, problems can arise. Therefore, you need to be very careful about these things. Otherwise, healing may be delayed and other complications may occur.

• Do not adjust the splint at home: Unless your doctor specifically tells you to, do not tighten, loosen, or remove it yourself. Doing so may damage the wound.
• If you feel tightness or pain: If the splint feels too tight, or if you experience unbearable pain, or if you just feel uncomfortable, call your doctor immediately. Don't ignore this.
• Do not let the splint get wet: This is very important. If the splint gets wet, it can lose its support for the injured bone, which means it can become loose and not fit properly. Not only that, but it can also cause skin problems. The skin may become red, irritated , sore, or itchy . Bacteria and fungi can also grow easily in a moist environment.
• Do not put anything inside: Never put pens, pencils, sticks, keys, or other objects inside the splint to scratch or do anything else. These can cause injury or abrasion to the skin. AlsoIt is not a good idea to put things like lotions or powders inside. These can damage the skin and even cause infection.
• Tell your child not to scratch the inside of the skin: This is especially important for young children. Make them understand that even if they get an itch, they should not scratch it with anything. If the itching persists, tell your doctor .
• Check the skin around the edges of the splint: Check the skin where the edges of the splint touch every day. Look carefully for any blisters , sores, redness, or peeling skin . If you see any of these, tell your doctor . The splint may be stuck in the skin.

How do you bathe while wearing a splint? How can you be careful not to get wet?

Bathing with a splint is a bit of a chore. If your doctor has told you not to take your splint off while bathing and to keep it on, then it is your responsibility to make sure it doesn't get wet at all . Here are some ways to bathe without getting your splint wet:

• For a child under 5 years old: The best thing to do is to give the child a sponge bath . This means that instead of putting the child in a basin of water, you should use a damp sponge or soft cloth to clean and wash the child. Be careful not to let the water get into the splint.
• If your child is over 5 years old: Children this age can take a bath. However, it is better to take a bath in a bathtub than in a shower. This is because the splint is less likely to get wet. Before bathing, cover the splint with a large plastic bag (such as a garbage bag) and seal it tightly with a rubber band or waterproof tape to prevent water from getting in. Then, take the arm or leg with the splint out of the bathtub and place it on top of the bag.

The most important thing: make sure not a single drop of water gets in! It's even better if you can put the plastic bag on twice.

If you accidentally get a little water on the splint, don't panic. Use a hair dryer on a cool or fan-only setting (not a hot setting!) and gently blow the air out. However, if the splint gets very wet, or if it feels like water has gotten into it, definitely call your doctor. It may need to be replaced.

In what situations do we need to call a doctor immediately?

If you or your child has any of these symptoms, don't waste time and go to your doctor or the nearest hospital.

• If the pain is getting worse:The pain should gradually decrease after the splint is put in place. If the pain increases to an unbearable level, it is not normal.
• If you notice any changes in your fingers or toes: If the fingers or toes on the hand or foot that has the splint on are swollen, change color (like turning blue or pale), feel tingly, or feel extremely cold, this could be a sign that blood flow is being restricted. That's not a good sign.
• If the splint feels too tight or too loose: if it doesn't stay in place properly and seems to be moving around, or if it feels tight and stops bleeding, you should also tell your doctor .
• If the splint gets wet, breaks, or breaks: As mentioned earlier, if it gets wet, or if it is broken, cracked, or damaged anywhere, it will not provide the expected protection.
• If there is a bad smell: If there is a bad, unpleasant smell coming from inside the splint, it could be a sign of an infection.
• If you have a fever: If you have a fever for no apparent reason, it could also be due to an infection.

At a time like this, don't try to self-medicate at home. It's wiser to seek medical advice immediately.

What else do we need to know about this? Finally, a little reminder.

If your child has a splint, you need to help them take care of it properly. If it's a small child, explain these things to them. Only then will they be able to heal quickly, without any problems, without skin problems. Don't worry, this is only temporary. If you take good care of it, before long your child will be able to do all their usual things again, go to school, and play with their friends. So stay strong! Be a source of emotional support for your child during this time.

These are the most important take-home messages!

Okay, so from what we've discussed, I hope you've gained a good understanding of a splint. In short, here are some things to keep in mind:

• A splint is a support that immobilizes an injured area, protects it, and helps it heal faster.
• Do not let it get wet. Do not put anything inside (sticks, powder, lotion). Do not scratch it with sticks or other objects even if it itches .
• If you notice anything like the splint being too tight, too loose, too painful, swelling/discoloration/numbness in your fingers, a bad odor, or if the splint breaks or gets wet, tell your doctor immediately.
• Be very careful when bathing, only bathe if the doctor tells you to, but don't let it get wet.
• If you take proper care of yourself and follow your doctor's instructions, you will recover quickly and be able to return to normal activities.

The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Because only then will you have a quick and complete recovery! Wishing you and your child a speedy recovery!

Splints, supports, fractures, wound care, children's health, medical advice, emergencies