Why Do We Immobilize

Splints, casts, and braces support and protect broken bones, dislocated joints, and injured soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Immobilization restricts motion to allow the injured area to heal. It can help reduce pain , swelling, and muscle spasms .

Why do we immobilize a fracture?

The main purpose of splinting is to immobilize the joints and bones above and below the fracture site. This is to prevent bone edges from moving and damaging other muscles, vessels or nerves and further complications.

When should you immobilize a joint?

If a fracture or dislocation is suspected, a splint should be placed – this will stabilize the injury for patient transport, preventing further skeletal, neurologic, and soft tissue damage. Furthermore, injury immobilization can significantly reduce the patient’s pain.