How Do You Splint A Fracture Of The Upper Arm?
Splinting a fracture is important in reducing pain and for speeding healing. Assess for fracture (see “How to Assess for Fracture During First Aid”). Immobilize the injured arm. Any movement will be very painful and can worsen the injury. Get some rigid material long enough to extend at least from the shoulder to the elbow. One possibility is to cut an ensolite sleeping pad to the right length and then fold it over to increase rigidity. Gather materials to tie the splint into place. Any of the following will do: pack straps, rope, clothing, belts, bandannas, triangular bandages. Flex the injured arm so that the forearm is at a 90-degree angle to the upper arm. Do this gently to minimize movement. Put a wad of clothing, or some other soft material, into the injured person’s hand to maintain it in position of function. Place the splinting material along the upper arm, so that it extends below the elbow and above the shoulder. Tie the splinting material into place below and above the frac
