Materials

• Stockinette
• Splinting material (padded fiberglass or 12-15 layers of plaster)
• Padding
• Elastic bandaging

Instructions

Landmarks

Posterior Short Leg

• Proximal: Fibular head
• Distal: Plantar surface of the metatarsal heads

Stirrup

• 3–4 cm below the level of fibular head on both the medial and lateral leg.

Splint Position

Posterior Short Leg

• Extends down posterior leg, over the heel and ends at the metatarsal heads.
• Toes remain free
• Ankle positioned at 90º

Stirrup

• Start on lateral leg.
• Wrap under the plantar surface of foot.
• End on medial side at same level as the lateral side.

Application

• Patient can be positioned prone or sitting with knee bent at 90º.
• Apply padding, with special attention to padding over the calcaneus and medial/lateral malleolus.
• Apply posterior ankle splint first and secure with elastic bandage.
• Apply stirrup splint over the posterior slab and secure with elastic bandage.
• You can also choose to place the splint material for both the posterior slab and the stirrup directly over each other, and then secure with one layer of elastic bandage.
• Mold to support fracture.
• Reassess pulses, motor and sensation.