Some damage to the limbs can be treated with a crib. This fixing device, reminiscent of gypsum with its characteristics. It is used not only for medical reasons, but also for preventive purposes by athletes or people whose work is associated with physical activity. What is a finger cuff, how is it used, we will consider in this article.
Description
Langet is a fixing device used for prophylaxis or for immobilization of the fingers in case of various fractures and injuries. The hard fixator is a special elastic bandage that is impregnated with gypsum during application. After drying, the material hardens. Often the device is called a tire.
One of the main advantages of a finger cuff is that it can be removed and put on again. This factor is very important if a person is uncomfortable and wants to get rid of the latch even for a short period of time. In addition, this makes it possible to carry out the necessary sanitary procedures.
If it is necessary to fix a finger on a broken leg or arm, there is no need to wrap the entire arm, you can use the lancet purposefully, for example, only on the little finger. A splint is put on a broken bone and attached to the wrist.
When applied
As a rule, the need to attach a device to an injured limb is determined by the attending physician. However, the fixative is an excellent tool for first aid in cases of joint injury.
An indication for the use of a finger booster can be:
- sprains;
- finger fractures;
- bone cracking;
- dislocations;
- as a therapy of displaced articulation.
Unlike gypsum
Any injury is treated by immobilizing the damaged limb. The use of a plaster cast implies full coverage, which gives a lot of discomfort. Patients note:
- heavy weight of gypsum;
- fettering movements;
- constant itching under the dressing;
- tactile discomfort;
- the inability to conduct hygiene procedures.
Traumatologists also point out the shortcomings of this method of treatment, especially when using a finger cuff with a fracture. Since X-rays do not always penetrate gypsum, it is extremely difficult to take a picture to see if the bone is properly fused. Long-term immobilization of the limb contributes to tissue ischemia or partial muscle atrophy. Based on this, increasingly, a plaster cast is replaced with a lancet. Its use on the upper limbs is especially relevant.
Benefits Over Plaster
In the same way as a gypsum fixer, the crib is used for fractures and other injuries of the upper and lower extremities. It no less effectively holds the bone in position and contributes to its fusion.
However, it is worth noting a number of advantages of such a tire in comparison with the usual plaster cast:
- It is easily removed, since it is only applied to the hand and wound in several places with a bandage, unlike gypsum, which needs to be cut.
- The landing gear is lightweight and comfortable enough to wear. For example, the gypsum on the little finger is voluminous and immobilizes the adjacent finger, after removing the bandage, it takes time to return the fingers to normal functioning.
- The broken finger finger cage allows you to remove it to control the healing process and, if necessary, adjust the treatment.
- This dressing prevents the development of tissue ischemia and prevents compression of blood vessels due to edema.
- Langet retains minimal movement, which subsequently shortens the rehabilitation period.
Varieties
The most commonly used device for fingers. This is much more convenient than applying gypsum, and, as a rule, facilitates the selection of the right size. Such a tire is used for all types of injuries, after surgery and during the course of inflammatory processes.
As a rule, finger fingers are used during the rehabilitation period, for the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, athletes - in order to reduce the load and prevent possible injuries.
For fractures, use hard or medium hard langets. They make it possible to adjust the size for a limb and are called a reinforced tire.
Distinguish between such options for a fixing bandage:
- Soft cuffs are made of elastic materials on a fabric basis, most often used in pediatrics as a bandage. Indications for use are injuries without complications and serious consequences.
- Hard langets are used for complex fractures. They are superimposed with a plaster cast. The bandage firmly fixes the limb, in this way preventing the shift of bone elements. The device is held with a bandage, which if necessary, weaken. Often used such ankle boots for the middle finger.
- The medium-hardness retainer bars are reinforced with metal or plastic inserts. This ensures reliable retention of the fingers of the limbs. Such devices are widely used in orthopedics and traumatology.
- Tutor is another type of bandage in the form of a sleeve design. Used for dislocation of the wrist joint and some other limb injuries.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of the tire, especially with regard to putting the tongue on the thumb, are:
- Disturbed blood circulation as a result of ligation of large arterial vessels.
- Anaerobic infection.
- Phlegmon.
- Gangrene.
- Somatic disorders in older people.
It is technically quite difficult to use the latch on your own correctly. In addition, not everyone knows how to make a finger cuff and a list of contraindications for its use. After a diagnosis is made on the basis of an x-ray, the langet should be applied by a specialist.
A temporary fixative dressing can be applied in the domestic environment for a short time, until you can get to the trauma doctor or surgeon. Violation of this requirement may cause circulatory obstruction, joint damage, or skin infection.
How to lock
In case of a fracture of the fingers, as a primary measure of treatment, the doctor will definitely suggest immobilizing the limb with a fixing bandage. This operation is performed by an assistant nurse who knows how to put a finger on a finger.
The main points of the procedure are as follows:
- Gypsum is not applied to the skin, they are sprinkled with a bandage during bandaging the hands, and then moistened. The approximate cure time is fifteen minutes.
- Before applying the fixative, the skin is lubricated with petroleum jelly to avoid adhesion.
- In case of injury to the ulna and fingers, the bandage is fixed at an angle of 90 degrees with the simultaneous immobilization of the fingers. Unlike fractures, joint injuries do not require complete immobilization, for this it is enough to immobilize only the joint.
- In case of bone displacement, in some cases, it is necessary to fix the fragments with knitting needles, in this case, the tire is superimposed after the metal structures are removed.
How to wear?
Complications when using the fixative are inevitable if you do not follow the doctor’s recommendations. A plaster cast cannot be removed without assistance, unlike a band that can be removed well. In this regard, it is necessary to know that to put on the latch in a different position or to remove it before the due date without consulting with your doctor means knowingly harming your health. Only a traumatologist can determine the time spent on the injured joint.
The main signs of incorrect wearing of the langeta are manifested as follows:
- the appearance of swelling with increasing pain in the injured limb;
- bluish skin color;
- numbness of the fingers or hand.
Before applying the crib to the thumb for fractures, dislocation or sprain, treatment in the form of destruction or reposition can be prescribed. This imposes more stringent requirements for compliance with the recommendations of the attending doctor on the wearing of a fixative.
How to remove?
Remove the tire after complete restoration of the bone structure. An x-ray allows you to verify the effectiveness and correctness of the treatment.
It is required to know not only how to make a finger cuff, but also how to remove it after the end of treatment. The doctor or nurse removes the device. The tire applied with a bandage is removed with special scissors after cutting. During removal, the hand must rest on a support or supported.
After this, the limb is thoroughly washed and cream is applied. Physiotherapeutic treatment is selected depending on the complexity of the injury.
Complications after withdrawal
As with any other treatment, there are cases of complications when applying a fixative.
Unsuccessful consequences of the recovery process can be:
- unassembled bone tissue;
- unstable or abnormal bone fusion;
- the appearance of a false joint;
- pathological swelling.
If one of the listed factors is found, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor for retreatment.
However, such complications are extremely rare. This is explained by the improper wearing of a brace, non-compliance with the doctor’s instructions. If you do not self-medicate, such consequences are unlikely. In order to restore the efficiency of the limb and avoid negative consequences in the future, you do not need to neglect the rehabilitation process, you must perform the necessary exercises and procedures.
Click Finger Tire
Another case that does not relate directly to limb injuries is the application of a thumb to the thumb when stenosing tenosynovitis occurs. A complex name is similar to an ailment like a snapping finger. This is a fairly common disease, the symptoms of which are a clicking sound in the joints of the thumb and forefinger and extremely unpleasant sensations.
Such a pathology is caused by the occurrence of inflammation of the tubes-membranes surrounding and lubricating the tendons, due to which the fingers function. Due to the process, the tendon loses its mobility and elasticity, which causes the appearance of a characteristic sound when the finger is bent. The diagnosis can only be made by a specialist, since the signs are similar to a dislocation and a fracture. He will determine the degree of violation and the method of treatment, exclude the development of the infectious process.
For healing, the following methods can be applied:
- special injections;
- surgical intervention;
- overlay langeta.
The latter method has been used most often lately. Studies have shown that applying a fixative dressing for up to two months gives the same result as injecting cortisone into an articular bag.