Splinting Tools, Heat Gun, Fiskars Scissors, Pop Rivet Gun, Barge Cement

What are Splinting Tools?

A variety of splinting tools are implemented when applying or removing a splint or cast. They are made with safety in mind for the patient as well as the healthcare professional, and with convenience in mind for the medical provider. Splinting tools include splint pans, wires, knives, scissors, heat guns, barge cement, rivet guns, pliers, and T-anvils. Not every tool is used with every application or removal of a splint or cast, but it is important to have all of them available if the need arises.

What are Splint Pans?

Splint pans are used to help form splints and can be employed in clinical or institutional settings. Their heating elements stay operable even if the water completely evaporates. Normally, splint pans warm up quickly and maintain water temperature between 90 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Splint carts with a storage shelf are available, and are highly durable and sturdy to resist dents and nicks. Some pans include a perforated stainless steel insert pan and a plug which operates on 120 volts.

Compact splint pans are portable and made of stainless steel for durability. They have a fast heating time to offer the user quicker construction of a splint for time demanding procedures. They are ideal for treatments, such as oncology, hand therapy, spa therapy, physical therapy, athletic trainers, long term care, and occupational therapy.

Clinical water bath splint pans are stainless steel constructed with a compact design to make it well suited for different clinical needs. They can accommodate sheets up to 19 inches x 11 inches, and have a variable temperature thermostat knob. The thermostat allows the water to be adjusted for temperatures between 150 degrees to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. These pans are suitable for hand therapy, spas, athletic trainers, oncology, physical therapy, long term care, and occupational therapy.

Large water bath splint pans are also made of stainless steel, but can fit splinting sheets up to 24 inches x 18 inches. Their hinged lid is split to open completely or to one side with just one hand. These splint pans are equipped with individually adjustable dual thermostats to regulate the temperature. They have dual independent heating elements to provide a quick warm-up and automatically convert to a circuit once the desired temperature is reached. These pans can also be used for spas, hand therapy, oncology, long term care, athletic trainers, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

More About Splinting Tools and Their Usage

Reusable splint pan netting is made for removing thermoplastics from warm water, and has a nonstick coating to prevent thermoplastics from sticking to the netting or the splint pan. They are also durable, dishwasher safe with regular detergent, and can be cut down to any needed size.

Hand pumps make it easy to empty water from splint pans without the risk of spills. They may come with two hoses to attach to the nozzles so the water from the splint pans are safely siphoned and disposed of into a container or sink. The pumps should also be non-rusting, self-priming, and latex free.

Fiskars scissors are versatile and create a smooth edge to cut warm thermoplastics. Heavy duty scissors are chrome plated with rounded tips for extra safety. All-purpose snip scissors can cut any type of material and are lightweight with an ergonomically designed handle and safety latch. Their spring action helps reduce hand fatigue during use, and they are made of stainless steel. Curved mayo scissors are available in stainless steel or chrome plated with blades that are curved 7 degrees to the right in a slim design. This design allows the scissors to cut tissue in deep wounds, or cut bandages and trim thermoplastics. Bandage scissors have a unique design which assists in cutting bandages. Their blades are rounded for increased patient comfort and are rust proof, nickel free, stainless steel, and can be resharpened.

Some heat guns’ temperatures can be adjusted from 250 degrees to 1100 degrees Fahrenheit with two speed motors. Other heat gun models offer 120 volt or 220 volt options and can be used with all types of thermoplastics. Different nozzle attachments are available for some heat guns to direct the heat in various ways.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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