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The importance of pre-contouring a cricket-pad splint to avoid complications
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  1. Amit Atrey1,
  2. Marc George2,
  3. Lee Asquith David3
  1. 1
    Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, Trauma & Orthopaedics, 63 Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1TN, UK
  2. 2
    Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, Trauma & Orthopaedics, London Bridge, London, SE1 9RT, UK
  3. 3
    Maidstone General Hospital, Trauma & Orthopaedics, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9QQ, UK
  1. Amit Atrey, amitatrey{at}doctors.net.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.11.2008.1192

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    The use of splints in immobilising a number of knee conditions is appropriate for pain relief and for prevention of further injuries. However, physicians and healthcare workers should take absolute care when applying the splint—especially when a joint is already swollen. In our orthopaedic clinics, we are seeing increased numbers of patients with haematomas and pressure sores because of ill-fitting braces (see fig 1)

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Marked haematoma because of a poorly fitted brace perfectly matching the “bracing rods” that have been un-contoured.

    The splints usually come un-contoured and require shaping by the healthcare worker to fit the patient’s naturally contoured leg (fig 2).

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Pre-contouring the brace to perfectly fit the shape of the leg.

    The appropriate sizing of the splint will also help in the prevention of other complications, slipping of the splint and failure in compliance of wearing.

    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: none.

    • Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication.