Fig. 44.—Outside lateral Splint for the Tibia.
Step 1. They are padded lightly and evenly along their whole length, and applied to the limb on each side.
Step 2. They should then be fastened by figure of 8 round the foot and ankle until the foot is securely fixed in them. The bandage should then be fastened off, and extension made by an assistant, who grasps the foot and ankle with both hands while the surgeon fixes the splints to the limb above the fracture, beginning his roller at the top just below the knee, and continuing it downwards with spiral turns until the fracture is reached, above which it should terminate (fig. 45). After the apparatus is applied, the limb may be either supported upright by sand-bags, or slung in a cradle, for three weeks, after which the splints are advantageously replaced by a starch bandage for three weeks longer.
Fig. 45.—Lateral Splints for simple transverse fracture of the Tibia.
Flexing the Leg for Fracture of the Tibia.
Sometimes, when there is unusual difficulty in preventing displacement of the fragments while the limb is nearly straight, the bones can be readily kept in position if the patient lies on the same side as the injured limb and the knee is well flexed. For such cases these splints are very suitable; they should be applied after the limb has been bent and the fragments brought into apposition. When the splints have been put on, a roller may be carried round the leg and thigh to keep the limb in its bent position.
Fracture of the Patella.—When this bone is broken there is usually much swelling from effusion into the knee-joint; while this is present, rest, with cold lotions, and elevation of the foot, are alone applicable. When the effusion has subsided, the upper fragment must be brought down to the lower one, by some means like the following.
Apparatus.—1. Straight wooden splint with a foot-piece.
2. Pads.