FIGURE 130.49 Splinting of musculoskeletal injuries A Long arm posterior splint B Below knee posterior splint C Ankle stirrup (sugar tong) splint D Long leg posterior splint E Ulnar gutter splint F Radial gutter splint G Forearm sugar tong splint H Thumb spica splint I Dorsal extension finger splint Procedure This splint may be used alone or in combination with a posterior splint It provides lateral and medial support to the ankle, preventing inversion and eversion This splint extends in a U-shaped fashion from the fibular head around the ankle to just below the knee ( Fig 130.49C ) The width of the material should be approximately one-half of the circumference of the narrowest portion of the lower leg Application occurs more easily with the patient in the prone position with the foot dorsiflexed to 90 degrees at the ankle and the knee flexed to 90 degrees Consider padding the malleoli with felt or additional cotton padding to decrease the incidence of pressure ulcers Prepare and apply the splint