The Effectiveness of Traction Splints in Femur Fracture Cases

This essay provides an analysis of a patient with a suspected closed right femur fracture and the use of a traction splint for treatment. The author, working as a medical intern, observed the case, detailing the patient's pain and inability to move due to a vehicle accident. The essay discusses the rationale behind using a traction splint to stabilize the femur, reducing pain and bleeding, and promoting recovery. It includes research findings that support the effectiveness of traction splints in reducing pain intensity and minimizing the risk of further injury. The essay also reflects on the seriousness of femur fractures, emphasizing the importance of traction splints in emergency situations and the overall positive impact on patient outcomes, while acknowledging the potential for short-term consequences associated with the device's use.

Essay: Suspected right femur fracture

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FEMUR FRATCUTURE: USE OF TRACTION SPLINT
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Observation of the case....................................................................................................................1
Analysis of the case.........................................................................................................................1
Research over the case.....................................................................................................................2
Reflection.........................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
References........................................................................................................................................4

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FEMUR FRATCUTURE: USE OF TRACTION SPLINT
Introduction
As discussed with the case, an analysis has been done over the physical condition of a patient
who is suspected to closed right femur fracture. I was working as a medical practitioner in a
hospital and was doing my internship from there. I analysed the case deeply and found that the
treatment of the patient has been running through various phases. Usually doctors suggested the
use of traction splint to stabilise the bones of the femur in these types of fractures but there are
positive and negative aspects associated with the use of traction splint.
Observation of the case
The patient was constantly suffering from pain in the right femur and was even unable to move
from one place to another place. It was a vehicle accident case in which the patient was hit by a
vehicle. In X-ray, a minute fracture is found in his right femur. The use of traction splint is
suggested to the patient because of early improvement and security of his legs and other body
parts (DM Levy, 2019).
Traction splint helps the patients by covering all the parts of leg like pelvic, femur, knees and
hips by attaching a round strip over all the parts for quick recovery and safety of the patient. This
mechanical device is used for reducing the pain and bleeding in the leg by provides support to
the muscles and bones of the leg (Emell Mansoon, 2020).
Analysis of the case
The femur fracture is the most serious type of fracture in the body parts. This is the major cause
of mortality in accidental cases because femur joins the hips and joints of knees and ligaments of
the legs that is why it is very difficult to stabilise the bone fracture of this body part. BY using
traction splint it became very easy to stabilise the bones and muscles. It also provides protection
to the patient that is why in this case, the use of traction splint highly recommended (Alireza
Irajpour, 2020).

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FEMUR FRATCUTURE: USE OF TRACTION SPLINT
Research over the case
After doing research over the treatment of right femur fracture, it was found that use of traction
splint is very safe for the patients. Only a little bit short term consequences has to be faced by the
patient like pain in muscles and problems in moving the parts but at the other hand a lot of
benefits are noticed by using traction splint (IR Howland, 2019).
According to a research done over 32 patients, it was found that the intensity of pain is reduced
by fifty percent after using traction splint (Gossman, Ginglen, Kwon, & Kahwaji., 2020). It not
only helps the patient in fast recovery but also it helps the patient in handling their day to day
tasks. Usually three to six months are required for the proper recovery of the patient. It is a long
time duration that is why by using traction splint, doctors minimize the risk of hit again at the
same place (Y Agrawal, 2009).
In emergency cases, the traction splint not only reduces the pain but also it controls the bleeding
and helps the survival chances of the patient in transportation. However prolonged use of splint
create pressure over the nervous and muscles of the leg but three to six months use of splint is
beneficial for the patient (Gossman, Ginglen, Kwon, & Kahwaji., 2020).
Reflection
After analysing the case of this patient, I came to know about the seriousness of femur fracture. I
observed that femur is the most crucial bone of the body because it is connected with important
body parts that are why fractures in this bone are dangerous for the patient. Traction splint is
highly useful for these types of cases where the survival of the patient is at risk. I realised that the
physical condition of the patient is improved up-to a significant stage with the help of using
splint and taking proper medical aid and guidance. I found that this mechanical device is such a
boon for the patients of femur fracture.
Conclusion
On the bases of the analysis of the various aspects of this accidental case, it can be concluded
that the short term use of traction splint is highly recommended to the patients of femur fracture.
However, long term use of splint should be avoided to ignore any consequences of the device. It
can also be said that the device is very beneficial for making the client comfortable and helps in

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FEMUR FRATCUTURE: USE OF TRACTION SPLINT
his quick recovery. It is very clear that traction splint helps in the survival of the patient in
accidental cases by minimizing the bleeding and stopping the damage of other body parts.

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FEMUR FRATCUTURE: USE OF TRACTION SPLINT
References
Alireza Irajpour, N. S. (2020, March 19). A comparison between the effects of simple and
traction splints on pain intensity in patients with femur fractures. Retrieved from The
official website of NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3730458/
DM Levy, M. M. (2019). A Novel Traction Frame for Femur Fracture Management in
Developing Countries: Technique and Outcomes. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, e203-
e206.
Emell Mansoon, A. R. (2020, March 19). Femoral shaft fratures and the prehospital use of
traction splints. Retrieved from The official website of research gate :
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emeli_Mansson/publication/237726384_Femoral_s
haft_fractures_and_the_prehospital_use_of_traction_splints/links/
555a33c008ae6943a877cb7f.pdf
Gossman, W., Ginglen, J. G., Kwon, Y. H., & Kahwaji., C. I. (2020, March 19). EMS, Traction
Splint. Retrieved from The official website of NCBI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507842/
IR Howland, I. H. (2019). Prehospital use of the traction splint for suspected mid-shaft femur
fractures. Journal of paramedic practices, 390-395.
Y Agrawal, J. K. (2009). Traction splint: to use or not to use. Sage Journals: Journal of
perioperative practice, 295-298.