What type of splint is used for a Colles fracture?
The volar forearm splint is best for temporary immobilisation of forearm, wrist and hand fractures, including Colles fracture.
What is a reverse Colles fracture?
A Smith fracture is an eponym for an extraarticular fracture of the distal radius featuring a volar displacement or angulation of the distal fragment. It is also known as a reverse Colles fracture since the more common Colles fracture features a dorsal displacement of the distal fracture fragment.
What is a Colles splint used for?
The Colles Splint is a pre-molded aluminum splint designed for wrist support and immobilization prior to surgery or casting. The splints feature ventilation holes that provide air circulation for patient comfort.
How do you stabilize a Colles fracture?
There are a number of options for stabilization and treatment of these fractures. These include conservative management with cast immobilization or surgical options: internal fixation, external fixation, percutaneous pinning, and bone substitutes.
What are the 4 types of splints?
Commonly Used Splints and Casts
| Area of injury | Type of splint |
|---|---|
| Forearm/wrist | Volar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tong |
| Elbow/forearm | Long arm posterior, double sugar-tong |
| Knee | Posterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizer |
| Tibia/fibula | Posterior ankle (mid-shaft and distal fractures), bulky Jones |
What is the most common method of reduction for a Colles fracture?
A very commonly used method of closed reduction is manual traction (MT). An assistant provides counter-traction while the operator provides traction and manipulates the bone fragments into position.
What is the difference between a Colles fracture and a Smith’s fracture?
If you’re diagnosed with a Colles fracture, the broken piece of your wrist bone (radius) points backward. Smith fractures are the opposite: The broken end of your bone points forward.
Which nerve is affected in Colles fracture?
A Colles’ fracture is a type of fracture of the distal forearm in which the broken end of the radius is bent backwards. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, deformity, and bruising. Complications may include damage to the median nerve. It typically occurs as a result of a fall on an outstretched hand.
How long do you keep a splint on a fractured wrist?
You may need to wear a splint for a few days, or a week, while the swelling in your wrist reduces. Our doctors then likely will place a cast on the wrist, which you should plan to wear for 6-8 weeks.
How long do I have to wear a splint after wrist surgery?
Your doctor may instruct you on the proper care and cleaning of the surgical site. You might also have a splint or cast to keep your wrist immobilized, which you may need to wear for 4-6 weeks. A doctor may prescribe pain medication for the first few days after surgery to help alleviate any discomfort you might have.
How long do you have to wear a cast for a Colles fracture?
If you have a small fracture and the bone pieces do not move out of place, you will likely wear a splint for 3 to 5 weeks. Some breaks may require you to wear a cast for about 6 to 8 weeks. You may need a second cast if the first one gets too loose as the swelling goes down.
What are 3 things you should not do while splinting?
Splint and skin care
Never stick items under your splint to scratch the skin. Do not use oils or lotions near your splint. If the skin becomes red or sore around the edge of the splint, you may pad the edges with a soft material, such as moleskin, or use tape to cover the edges.
What are three types of splints used for fractures?
How do you manipulate a Colles fracture?
Keep your thumb on the fracture “lump” as you manipulate so that you can feel it disappear when you reduce it properly. Other techniques suggested for reducing Colles include finger traps or elevation. If you elevate a Colles by the fingers, the weight of the elbow will provide traction.
When treating a Colles fracture the forearm should be placed in a position of?
He recommended the arm should be immobilized in a cast that extends from the base of the fingers to above the elbow, while holding this joint at ninety degrees of flexion the forearm in pronation and the wrist in slight flexion and ulnar deviation.
Is a Colles fracture the same as a distal radius fracture?
Distal Radius Fracture (Colles Fracture) When someone falls on their outstretched hand, they sometimes get a “broken wrist.” The bone that is usually broken is called the radius. The end of the bone nearest the wrist is called the distal end. The medical term for “broken bone” is fracture.
What is the most common complication of Colles fracture?
What are the complications of a Colles fracture? Wrist stiffness is the most common complication.
Should you sleep with a wrist splint on?
When are wrist splints considered? Many people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome wear a splint at night for a few weeks. The splint holds the joint in a neutral position. The symptoms are worse at night because your hand is more likely to bend while you’re sleeping.
How long does a Colles fracture take to heal?
How long does it take for a Colles fracture to heal? You’ll wear a cast for about six weeks. Healing time varies from individual to individual — it’s a shorter time for some patients and a longer time for others. It might be a year before your wrist is completely back to the way it was before the fracture.
Can I take my splint off to sleep?
Taking some painkillers before bed can help manage the pain; it is common for pain to be worse at night and this should settle in the first two weeks. Do not take your splint or cast off unless instructed to do so by your therapist.
How do you tell if a fracture is healing?
4 Signs Your Fracture Is Healing
- Pain Decreases. No matter how big or small your fracture is, the one thing they all hold in common is the pain you’ll experience due to it.
- Increased Mobility.
- Lack of Bruising.
- Swelling Subsides.
Can you speed up recovery from a broken wrist?
For hand and wrist injuries, so-called tendon glide exercises involving moving the thumb and fingers can help keep those tendons strong and supple. Physical therapy can also help you learn to move safely while your bone is immobilized. This promotes faster healing and helps avoid reinjury.
How long do you wear a splint after broken wrist?
How do you sleep with a broken wrist?
Invest in a specialized pillow, like a body pillow, for elevation—keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Try sleeping on your back first while propped up on a few pillows. If that doesn’t work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position if possible.
Should I wear wrist splint all day?
Generally a splint gives a higher level of support and speeds up the healing process. This is ideal for night time use however can be worn during the day enabling you to carry out most daily activities. Wrist Splints are ideal for conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sprains, or Wrist Tendonitis.