Richard B the EMT Posted April 15, 2012 Posted April 15, 2012 The pillow/double swath method is actually quite well known for elbow involved splinting, at least around NYC
DwayneEMTP Posted April 15, 2012 Posted April 15, 2012 I think that self splinting here is perfectly acceptable. Just let them hold it where it feels best and adjust when necessary giving them a pillow for support if needed, which it probably will be. This is maybe not the best option for all, as many will feel uncared for if you explain for them to hold it where it feels best, but when I was greener I had a couple of people ask me if they 'could just hold it' while I was trying to do all of the things I'd been taught in school and I thought, "Hmmm...why isn't that just as good, or maybe better?"
Lone Star Posted April 16, 2012 Posted April 16, 2012 Either a pillow between the arm and the body, or a nicely folded blanket or two. This helps keep the extremity in a 'position of function' as well as cushion it from bumps and jars incurred during transport. Another consideration would be that we shouldn't be 'stingy' with pain management techniques, as letting our patient suffer simply because we don't agree that their 'owie' hurts as much as they say it does; is abusive and inexcusable...
ERDoc Posted April 16, 2012 Posted April 16, 2012 In any fx/dislocation, I'd say let the pt put it in the position of most comfort as long as it doesn't compromise blood flow. Lot's of pain medicine.
Kiwiology Posted April 16, 2012 Posted April 16, 2012 (edited) In any fx/dislocation, I'd say let the pt put it in the position of most comfort as long as it doesn't compromise blood flow. Lot's of pain medicine. *Kiwi rummages around in the hip pouch 40mg of morphine 200mcg of fentanyl 400mg of ketamine Could any of those be helpful at all? I dno I was never very good at this medical stuff .... Edited April 16, 2012 by Kiwiology
croaker260 Posted April 16, 2012 Posted April 16, 2012 Always position of comfort for a dislocation, which means most ready-made splints probably won't work. It sometimes calls for creative splinting and the filling of voids, but pain management is key since we do not reduce in the field unless there is vascular compromise (never seen that happen with a dislocation). I've accidentally reduced a dislocated knee once. Attempting to make the patient comfortable and applying a splint, I think the patient had a muscle spasm and suddenly went from agony to screaming OH MY GOD, and let out a huge sigh- he was damn near orgasmic. LOL Scared the crap out of me. After undoing all my splinting handiwork, I saw the patella had indeed returned to it's normal position. Please see the related topic on dislocated patella .
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