Page 8 - Orthopedic Casts and Splints2

Performance Steps
b. If no known allergies, with applicator apply benzoin to the medial and lateral aspect of
uninjured leg beginning one finger width distal to the child's groin and ending at the
malleolus.
c. If known allergies apply mastisol as in step 12 b.
13. Secure vent foam strap with spreader block to the uninjured leg.
a. Place vent foam strap beginning one finger width distal to the groin, down the medial side of
the leg and around the heel ending on the lateral side of the leg opposite the start point.
b. Fold down excess ends of adhesive vent foam strap, wrap bandage until vent foam strap
is completely covered. Secure vent foam with clips and tape down the edge of the elastic
bandage between the clips.
NOTE: Depending on the size of the child, a second elastic bandage may be necessary to completely
cover the vent foam strap and to reach the distal aspect of the groin.
c. Remove the clips and dispose in trash receptacle.
d. Slide spreader block in the distal end of the vent foam strap.

14. Follow same procedure( step 11-13 ) for the injured leg.
15. Secure child to bed.
a. Fold a sheet or towel lengthwise and place over the child's hips.
b. Pin one end of sheet/towel to the outside of the bed to lessen child's movement.
c. Pull down firmly on the sheet/towel and pin the opposite end to the bed.
Caution: To prevent pins from opening and causing harm to the child cover the pins with tape.
16. Tie traction cords to weight carriers and spreader blocks.
a. Remove 8-12 feet of traction cord from the spool.
b. Cut traction cord at measured length.
c. On the uninjured side tie the end of first traction cord to one spreader block.
Caution : To reduce the possibility of the traction cord slipping and causing injury to the child use a non
slip knot.( e.g. up and over, down and over, up and through ).
d. Thread opposite end of traction cord through pulley directly above the child's hips and
through the pulley at the foot of the bed.
e. Tie a non slip knot to the hook on the weight carriers.
f. Repeat steps a, b, c, d and e to the injured side.

17. Apply weight plates to weight carriers.
NOTE : Physician preference will determine amount of weight plates to be used.

NOTE: Always inform parent(s) when adding or removing weight plates.
a. Apply 5lb weight plates to the weight carrier on the uninjured side.
b. Apply 5lb weight plates to the weight carrier on the injured side.
NOTE: Weight plates are packaged in 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, 4 lb, and 5 lb increments.

18. Check distance of child on the bed.(Refer to figure 3-x)

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