Ultimate RMC #3 - Orthopedics

[RESQDOC]

Orthopedics:

1. Dry Plaster of Paris powder – for construction of splints, casts, rehab devices, etc. Make your own with linen or smooth fabric. Indefinite shelf life. Can be rewet and remolded as needed.

2. ACE elastic wraps, various sizes and lengths – the best general immobilization tool for sprains, strains, dislocations, fractures prior to casting, holding splints or IV bags on the patient, edema reduction, etc.

3. High-density foam – for padding improvised splints, making rehab devices more comfortable, etc. Needs to be washable closed cell if possible.

[Reasonable Rascal]

4. Thomas Splint, half ring - very versatile insofar as rigging various traction configurations. Depending on requirements and imagination can be used to rig a traction splint, leg suspension, lower leg immobilizer and others. Better suited to long-term care. Poor choice for field (non-fixed location) use however.

5. Rope, pulleys and hanging weights - traction! Femur, lower leg, arm, lower back and cervical traction. Harnesses can be improvised as the situation demands but are useless without the means to provide traction

6. Stockinette - used under casts against the skin. Can readily serve in other applications as well including improvising traction harness and holding dressings in place, restraints, etc. Various widths available from 2 - 6". Limited stretch, stock more than one width.

[NurseMan]

7. Slings- used to help immobilize and support the arms.

8. Knee immobilizer- A wrap that goes around the leg and helps "lock" the knee in place to prevent movement.

9. Crutches: help a patient to walk.

Sorry boss, one more!

10. Ice: lots and lots of ice to help reduce swelling and inflammation.

[Reasonable Rascal]

11. External fixation wires - somebody is bound to have a nasty fracture that requires a frame to hold it properly while the bones knit. Applied with a hand drill. Low tech compared to more modern methods but still works well.

12. Fixation frame and clamp - for use with the wires. The clamp is a modified C-clamp that holds onto the wires by a friction lock, attaches to a rope and weights. For the bed-bound. The frame may allow limited mobility in conjunction with crutches or a walker. An articulating frame would be more versatile should external fixation of an arm be called for.

[themadmedic]

SAM spints-variety of uses, takes up little to no space....

[themadmedic]

Webril for padding...
An improperly padded cast is a dangerous thing...


screws for the same reason as the wire