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Splinting is primarily used to immobilize a joint to allow for pain control, injury stabilization, and ultimately tissue healing. In the acute setting, splinting is a useful temporizing measure for sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures. This activity reviews the indications for and contraindications to ankle splinting and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the management of patients requiring ankle splints. Objectives: Describe the indications for ankle splinting. Review the relative contraindications to ankle splinting. Identify the technique involved in ankle splinting. Explain the importance of improving care coordination amongst the interprofessional team to enhance the delivery of care for patients requiring ankle splinting. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

The technique of splinting can be found throughout multiple fields of medicine including emergency medicine, orthopedics, primary care, and podiatry. It is primarily used to immobilize a joint or limb to allow for pain control, injury stabilization, and ultimately tissue healing. In the acute setting, splinting is useful as a temporizing treatment for sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures. In the chronic setting, splinting is useful mainly for inflammatory or degenerative conditions.[1][2][3] The main goal of ankle splinting is to prevent dorsiflexion and plantar flexion as well as inversion and eversion of the ankle joint. Specific conditions that call for ankle splinting include injuries to the distal tibia or fibula, ankle joint, or hindfoot.

Pressure necrosis – can begin as soon as 2 hours after splint application, resulting from inadequate padding of bony prominences Compartment syndrome – if splint wrapped too tightly Thermal injury – if plaster too thick or if inadequate padding Equinus contracture – if splint applied with the ankle in plantarflexion

Healthcare workers including the primary care provider, emergency department clinician, orthopedic surgeon, nurse practitioner, and sports physician should be familiar with ankle splinting. The technique of splinting can be found throughout multiple fields of medicine including emergency medicine, orthopedics, primary care, and podiatry. It is primarily used to immobilize a joint or limb to allow for pain control, injury stabilization, and ultimately tissue healing. In the acute setting, splinting is useful as a temporizing treatment for sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures. In the chronic setting, splinting is useful mainly for inflammatory or degenerative conditions. The main goal of ankle splinting is to prevent dorsiflexion and plantar flexion as well as inversion and eversion of the ankle joint. Specific conditions that call for ankle splinting include injuries to the distal tibia or fibula, ankle joint, or hindfoot.