Splints...for practical exam

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Vicky RVN — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:35:32 GMT

I've always done/seen it done cup to foot, just making sure there is plenty of padding around proximal end. Did it this way for my exam and was fine. Althought didn't pass the task as they say I choose the incorrect size splint?? Was sure I'd chosen the right one. I don't know, it was my last task so god knows what was going through my head by that point! Got enough to pass, that's the main thing

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Jenny Cook RVN — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:22:12 GMT

just to add, ive been taught cupped end round the foot and the end where u break off to get right length on/above the joint (ie, elbow). The sharp bits we cover with tape and cotton wool padding.

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:56:14 GMT

I don t worry about the sharp bits I cover them with elastoplast etc and cotton wool if necessary to protect the patient

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Carla Orszulik — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:47:19 GMT

I was taught to put the cup at the foot. I have just taken my exams and passed. This is the way that I was taught in the summer.

Re: Splints...for practical exam

kerrywilliams2007 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

i had this as my bandage osce - and i forgot to put the bloody splint on! have way through the vetrap layer i remembered! i quickly rectified it and managed to finish just as the buzzer went off. normally id put the cupped end at the joint, but i have no idea which way round i put it on on the day!!! my head was quite obviously a mess!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Honeybadger — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:01:53 GMT

Thats good to know for the future though! Thanks!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

FINNIGAN — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:29:10 GMT

this info is probably too late, on friday i rang the manufacturers of the splints and they told me they can be used either way round!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great help huh

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:24:02 GMT

I think in the practical they are more looking that you are supporting the right amount of leg (ie joint above and below the problem) and also that you select the best size splint for the animal and the sizes are all pretty different so not ambiguous.

Try not to worry guys... good luck for tomorrow!!!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

StephSVN — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:07:58 GMT

[quote user="SharonSP"]I believe the manufacturers of these splints state the cup to the foot, but because of the confusion in practice, I believe the RCVS accept the splint either way[/quote]

Seems it not just confusion in practice, as my tutor who is also an RCVS examiner told me the opposite, that cup goes to elbow...
I think no-one should worry which way round they put it!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Honeybadger — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:18:34 GMT

We mean these (cupped end on the left and bits to snap off on the right)

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:41:54 GMT

After reading this I am a tad confused......, when you say splint do you mean like a cast?? if so cup to foot I would say... hmm was going to write a whole load on medial lateral tendon/ligament instability, but thats just going to get you all confused.. good luck guys xx

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Sparky — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:58:33 GMT

Thanks guys!!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

SharonSP — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:03:45 GMT

[quote user="Phrin SVN"]

My tutor (RCVS examiner) has replied that gutter splints are designed to be cup to foot, so this is what you should do in the practicals

[/quote]

I believe the manufacturers of these splints state the cup to the foot, but because of the confusion in practice, I believe the RCVS accept the splint either way

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:59:17 GMT

Sparky, have you seen my post above? Cup to foot

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Sparky — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:56:18 GMT

Oh dear.....I'm really confused.....and my exam is tomorrow and I just had a thought that I could be doing it wrong!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:53:53 GMT

My tutor (RCVS examiner) has replied that gutter splints are designed to be cup to foot, so this is what you should do in the practicals

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Honeybadger — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:48:20 GMT

Ahhhh! Everyone is saying something different!! Now I really dont know what to do. I have always put the cup at the distal end but I can see how putting this over the elbow makes sense too

Re: Splints...for practical exam

chanel clydesdale — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:45:42 GMT

Hi there i only just sat and passed my exams at christmas time just passed and i was taught always cup to foot and this is what we also do in practice routinely with our referal ortho cases. I can remember my assessor always queries as to why this was xx

Re: Splints...for practical exam

FINNIGAN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:20:34 GMT

i passed the splint practical task and i put splint round end up toward elbow ridged cut off bit at foot end!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Emma Purnell — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:04:50 GMT

We tend to get rid of the spiky end of them with a covering of elastoplast and a big blob of cotton wool!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:57:42 GMT

I have also always been taught cup over the foot, but can see the logic in doing it the other way around.... may just have to email my tutor to check! She is also an RCVS examiner, so hopefully will have the answer of what the RCVS want us to do!

Re: Splints...for practical exam

StephSVN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:42:23 GMT

We normally cut them in practice, and use an old bone rasp for getting rid of sharp edges! I was assured by college that they will provide a splint of the right size (she did say no guarantees though!)

Re: Splints...for practical exam

Honeybadger — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:39:38 GMT

When you break off the end of the splint to make it the correct length is there a 'correct' way to do this? I usually bend it over the edge of the table. Any tips to get rid of the sharp spikey bits on the end?

Re: Splints...for practical exam

StephSVN — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:36:49 GMT

We use these splints, and have been taught by both college and practice that the cup goes at the elbow. This is what I was told at mock exam/revision day last week too.

Re: Splints...for practical exam

dinkyd — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:09:38 GMT

I got a splint for my exam and the cup goes at the foot.We use these splints in our practice for TPLO's and in this instance we use them the other way with the cup at the top.

But the proper way is cup at the foot and the bit that you can snap off at the top.This was always how I was taught and was taught this way for my exam - think they are called gutter splints.

Usually would be used on a forelimb with a fracture.