Inflatable splints--what are they doing?

Abstract

The pressure to which splints were inflated was measured to determine whether splintage was effective and if vascular complications were likely. The prevalence of their use by the ambulance service was also investigated. The findings indicate that inflatable splints are in common use, and are rarely inflated to pressures likely to cause vascular complications. However, they are extremely inefficient in holding their pressure and rapidly become ineffective as splints. The therapeutic range between effective splinting and risk of complications is narrow and it is recommended that blow-off valves are incorporated into the manufacture of all such devices.