Aluminum finger splints are common medical devices made from a malleable aluminum strip lined with soft foam padding. This malleable design allows the device to be custom-shaped for a secure and comfortable fit. The splint’s primary function is to immobilize an injured finger, promoting the natural healing process. These splints are used for mild injuries such as jammed fingers, minor sprains, or stable fractures of the phalanges, restricting movement to protect damaged tissues.
Preparing the Finger and Splint
Before applying a splint, a preliminary assessment of the injury is necessary to determine if self-treatment is appropriate or if medical care is needed. Severe symptoms like a visible deformity, a deep cut, or intense, uncontrolled pain suggest a more serious injury, such as an unstable fracture or dislocation, that requires professional medical attention. Once a minor injury is confirmed, all rings and other jewelry must be removed from the injured finger immediately, as swelling is a common response to trauma and can quickly lead to circulation problems.
The finger must be cleaned gently with soap and water and then thoroughly dried before splint application. Moisture and residue from lotions or oils can lead to skin irritation or maceration under the splint. The aluminum splint itself must then be sized and shaped to fit the finger’s contour, extending just past the tip of the finger to protect the end of the digit.
The malleable aluminum is carefully bent to match the curve of the finger, ensuring the foam padding rests against the skin. If a straight aluminum-foam strip is used, its edges should be rounded or covered with tape after cutting to prevent sharp corners from irritating or puncturing the skin. Proper shaping ensures the injured joint is fully immobilized while maximizing comfort and fit.
Step-by-Step Splint Application
With the finger and splint prepared, the next step is positioning the finger, which depends on the specific injury but often involves a slightly flexed position for comfort and function. For many common injuries, such as a stable fracture of a phalanx, the splint is placed on the underside of the finger, known as the volar surface, or the top side, the dorsal surface, with the padded side contacting the skin. The splint must cover the injured joint and the bones above and below it to effectively limit movement.
The splint is then secured to the finger using medical tape or a hook-and-loop strap, avoiding the injured area itself as much as possible. It is generally recommended to tape the splint at three separate points: near the base of the finger, around the middle phalanx, and near the fingertip. Securing the splint at these locations ensures the injured area is stabilized without applying direct pressure to the point of injury.
When applying the tape or strap, it is important to wrap it firmly enough to keep the splint from shifting but not so tightly that it restricts blood flow. The foam padding should cover bony areas to prevent pressure points and friction against the skin. Using a narrow tape, such as 1/2-inch medical tape, can help secure the splint precisely without excessive wrapping that could impair circulation.
For injuries like a mallet finger, where the fingertip droops due to tendon damage, the distal joint must be kept in hyperextension or full extension during application to allow the tendon ends to heal together. The goal is to immobilize only the necessary joints, leaving unaffected joints like the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint free to move if possible, which helps prevent joint stiffness.
Monitoring and Safe Removal
After the aluminum splint is secured, the most immediate safety measure is checking the finger’s circulation, which must be performed regularly. A quick check involves the capillary refill test, where the nail bed is pressed until it turns pale and should return to its normal pink color within two seconds. The entire finger should feel warm and have a color similar to the uninjured fingers; paleness or a cold sensation indicates restricted blood flow, requiring the immediate loosening or repositioning of the splint.
Additional signs of circulatory or nerve compromise include tingling, numbness, or an inability to wiggle the finger, which also necessitate prompt adjustment of the splint. Signs that require immediate medical attention are progressive swelling, increasing pain that is not managed with over-the-counter medication, or any indication of infection, such as pus or excessive warmth. The splint should be kept dry to maintain skin integrity, often by covering the hand with a plastic bag during bathing.
Splint removal should only occur as advised by a healthcare provider, and the frequency of removal for cleaning is injury-dependent. For injuries like mallet finger, the finger must be kept completely straight during removal and reapplication to avoid disrupting the healing tendon. To safely remove the splint, all supplies must be prepared beforehand to minimize the time the finger is unsupported.
The securing straps or tape are carefully unwrapped, and the splint is slowly slid off while a thumb or flat surface is used to keep the injured joint in its immobilized position. This allows for a quick inspection of the skin for irritation or moisture, followed by gentle cleaning and thorough drying before the splint is immediately reapplied. The splint is then resecured using the same technique, ensuring the firm but non-constricting fit is maintained to support continued healing.