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Posterior Slab Splint

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Edited by Grace Xiong, Brendan Striano, and Harry Lightsey - 7/1/2021

Indications/Contraindications

Indications:
Distal humerus fractures
Olecranon fractures
Displaced radial head, neck fractures

Materials/positioning

Materials:
4” plaster, 3 rolls
4” ACE wraps, 3 rolls
4” or 3” webril, 4 rolls
Tape

Positioning: Usually in a stretcher, have patient sit upright with pillows underneath the arm and forearm

splint-posslab_materials

Technique

Measure out splint: On the uninjured side, measure the length of the splint using plaster from the posterior mid arm distally to the wrist

Splint preparation: 10-12 layers of plaster and 5 layers of webril

Splint application Applied with the elbow in gentle resting flexion

splint-posslab_complete+ACE

Pearls & Pitfalls

Potential complications: When used for olecranon fractures, overly flexing the elbow may cause fracture displacement