@precordialthump I totally forgot about the EKG library! Awesome stuff. Keep up the great work (when do you sleep?!)
258 days ago
@emeducation Perfect, thanks for the suggestions! Turns out one is co-authored by Jeff Tabas. He already gave them all books.
258 days ago
Recommendations for an EKG resource to review bread & butter cases for senior residents? Pre-graduation panic setting in for our residents.
258 days ago
@danipedia Good point. I use the studies to convince the trauma consults NOT to get c-spine imaging on EVERYONE (citing distracting injury)!
263 days ago
@doctorflash Hi there. Just wanted to drop a note to thank you for all the extra traffic you're sending to blog. Much appreciated!!
273 days ago
How do you splint 2nd or 3rd metacarpal fractures? A short arm volar splint is usually applied, because a fracture should be immobilized one joint distal and proximal to the injury. This splint, however, unnecessarily immobilizes the 4th and 5th fingers. It makes gripping things with your hand difficult.
Trick of the Trade: Radial Gutter Splint This splint is the equivalent of the ulnar gutter splint, except that is placed along the radial aspect of the wrist and "sandwiches" the 2nd and 3rd fingers. The radial gutter splint provides both volar and dorsal splint immobilization of these metacarpal injuries.
Cut out a 3- or 4-inch splint material to the length necessary to immobilize the wrist and MCP joint.
Bisect the splint longitudinally from the fingertips to the wrist.
Insert a dry gauze or cotton material between the 2nd and 3rd fingers.
Fold the splint "tails" so that it sandwiches the volar and dorsal aspects of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal.
Secure the splint in place using bias wrap or an ace wrap.
The radial gutter splint provides optimal immobilization of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, while allowing for maximal mobility of the unaffected digits.
How do you splint 2nd or 3rd metacarpal fractures? A short arm volar splint is usually applied, because a fracture should be immobilized one joint distal and proximal to the injury. This splint, however, unnecessarily immobilizes the 4th and 5th fingers. It makes gripping things with your hand difficult.
Trick of the Trade: Radial Gutter Splint
This splint is the equivalent of the ulnar gutter splint, except that is placed along the radial aspect of the wrist and "sandwiches" the 2nd and 3rd fingers. The radial gutter splint provides both volar and dorsal splint immobilization of these metacarpal injuries.
- Cut out a 3- or 4-inch splint material to the length necessary to immobilize the wrist and MCP joint.
- Bisect the splint longitudinally from the fingertips to the wrist.
- Insert a dry gauze or cotton material between the 2nd and 3rd fingers.
- Fold the splint "tails" so that it sandwiches the volar and dorsal aspects of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal.
- Secure the splint in place using bias wrap or an ace wrap.
The radial gutter splint provides optimal immobilization of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, while allowing for maximal mobility of the unaffected digits.