Which upper limb orthosis positions the arm in 90 degrees of abduction and 90 degrees of elbow flexion with weight borne on a padded lateral trunk bar and iliac crest band, and a strap holds the device across the trunk to immobilize the shoulder after injury when chest strapping is not desirable?

Which upper limb orthosis positions the arm in 90 degrees of abduction and 90 degrees of elbow flexion with weight borne on a padded lateral trunk bar and iliac crest band, and a strap holds the device across the trunk to immobilize the shoulder after injury when chest strapping is not desirable?

• A. Airplane splint
• B. Resting cock-up splint
• C. Dorsal wrist splint
• D. Palmar splint

Answer: (A)

When immobilizing a shoulder injury, the goal is to hold the arm in a stable, fixed position that minimizes shoulder movement while distributing weight so the joint stays supported. The airplane splint does exactly that by suspending the arm in a 90-degree abduction with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, and it uses a padded lateral trunk bar and an iliac crest band to bear weight, with a strap across the trunk to lock the position. This setup immobilizes the shoulder without relying on chest strapping, which is useful when chest restraint isn’t desirable. Other splints mentioned are designed for the wrist or hand and do not provide the same shoulder immobilization in a 90/90 position with trunk-weight bearing.

When immobilizing a shoulder injury, the goal is to hold the arm in a stable, fixed position that minimizes shoulder movement while distributing weight so the joint stays supported. The airplane splint does exactly that by suspending the arm in a 90-degree abduction with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, and it uses a padded lateral trunk bar and an iliac crest band to bear weight, with a strap across the trunk to lock the position. This setup immobilizes the shoulder without relying on chest strapping, which is useful when chest restraint isn’t desirable. Other splints mentioned are designed for the wrist or hand and do not provide the same shoulder immobilization in a 90/90 position with trunk-weight bearing.