SplintBox Long Leg Splint (LLS) Instructions
1. Open the SplintBox LLS, unfold the plastic liner, remove and set items aside.
2. Fold the plastic liner over the edges of the box in order to create a dipping reservoir for the plaster. Fill the box up with warm water.
3. Wrap the foot, ankle, lower and upper leg with the cotton rolls. You should aim to have 50% overlap or enough padding with the cotton so that the skin is protected from the plaster. Make sure to pad pressure points (calcaneus/heel) with extra cotton and avoid wrinkles to prevent potential pressure sores or ulcers.
4. Make a separate stack of 4-5 strips of 4" cotton about 5-6" in length. This will serve to cover the plaster "toe-box". Set aside.
5. Tear the prefabricated plaster slabs to the desired length. One slab (5”x60”) will serve as the posterior slab and should extend from the gluteal fold to the posterior aspect of the leg and plantar aspect of the foot. The other slab (4”x80”) is the stirrup slab, where the middle of the plaster slab will be under the arch/metatarsal heads of the foot and extend up both sides of the leg.
6. Dip the posterior slab in the dipping reservoir. Wring it out and slide between your index and long finger so that the holes are no longer visible in the plaster slab. With the knee extended and ankle in neutral dorsiflexion, place the plaster on the backside of the leg and plantar aspect of the foot. Make sure the plaster is off skin. Extra length can be folded over the top of the toes. Provisionally secure the posterior plaster slab with cotton rolls.
7. Dip the posterior slab in the dipping reservoir. Wring it out and slide between your index and long finger so that the holes are no longer visible in the plaster slab. Place the middle of the plaster slab under the arch/metatarsal heads off the foot and up both sides of the leg. Make sure the two plaster ends do not touch on the front of the leg (avoid circumferential plaster). Provisionally secure with more cotton roll.
8. Fold the first plaster slab excess back down beneath the foot to create a "toe-box", where the plaster extends 0.5"-1" past the toes, and then cover with the 4-5 strips of cotton previously made.
9. Wrap the splint with the elastic bandage(s), and mold as needed. Allow the plaster to fully harden. Make sure that the toes can move freely, there are no pressure points, and that the splint is not impinging in the popliteal fossa.
10. Place solidifier in the dipping reservoir and then pull the plastic liner out, tie-up, and dispose. Break down the dipping reservoir box and recycle.
