Initially intended
only for femoral traction, the Slishman Splint may be used as well for
shoulder reductions and recreation, such as skiing, hiking...
...and even rollerblading.
A shortened version is also
available now, built specifically for
femur fractures and the
EMS market.
In general, splints:
Limit pain
Limit further damage to nerves,
vessels, etc.
Traction splints:
Limit bleeding associated with
femur fractures
To decide which splint
is best, one must optimize:
Weight and portability
Length beyond foot when applied
to patient
Strength
Ease of application
Patient comfort
Versatility
During his emergency medicine
residency Sam Slishman invented a splint that optimizes the above parameters,
by adding a pulley system to a collapsible ski pole.
Weighing <400 grams,
it is light and very portable.
With a proximal point of traction
on the thigh rather than traction from the foot, it fits well into a Stoke's
basket, ambulance, and helicopter. Distal traction is also possible.
As sturdy as any ski pole, no
strength was sacrificed to convert to a splint.
Only two simple straps, (prefab
or improvised), are needed for use.
Proximal traction allows patient
to modify tension to minimize pain.
Beyond its use for femoral traction,
it also works well for shoulder reductions, and for skiing and hiking.
This web site is designed to help you
to fully understand the splint. It is a bit heavy in medical terminology,
but we hope this helps rather than hinders understanding. Any feedback
is appreciated.
SLISHMAN
SPLINT TM
