Materials

  • Stockinette
  • Splinting material (padded fiberglass or 8-10 layers of plaster)
  • Padding
  • Elastic bandaging

Instructions

Landmarks

  • Proximal: Mid humeral shaft
  • You will wrap both components of the splint around the elbow, as detailed below
  • Distal: Palmar metacarpal heads

Splint Position

Forearm Component

  • Start: palmar metacarpal heads
  • Wrap around elbow
  • End: dorsal metacarpal heads

Arm Component

  • Start: media proximal humerus
  • Wrap around elbow
  • End: lateral proximal humerus
  • Elbow at 90º
  • Forearm neutral with thumb up
  • Slightly extended wrist (10–20º)

Application

  • Pad the hand, wrist, and humerus evenly, paying particular attention to areas of possible friction, such as the elbow where the 2 separate pieces of splinting material are overlapping
  • First apply the sugartong splint to the forearm/wrist and secure with elastic bandage.
  • Then apply the second sugartong to the upper arm. Start in the axilla, wrap under the elbow and end over the deltoid. Secure the second sugartong with elastic bandage.
  • Mold to support the fracture.
  • Reassess pulses, motor and sensation.