(2) If the hip is fractured, place bulky support materials between the
casualty's legs and strap the legs together. Position the casualty's knees in an up
(flexed) position and place bulky support material beneath the knees. If there is no
other major fracture of the lower extremities, support material may be placed beneath
the buttocks to reduce abdominal pain.
d. Continue to check the pulse in the affected limb and observe for signs and
symptoms of hypovolemic shock. Signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock and
procedures for treating hypovolemic shock are given in Subcourse MD0554, Treating
Injuries in the Field.
4-3.
IMMOBILIZE A FRACTURED FEMUR (IMPROVISED SPLINT)
A fractured femur should be immobilized using a traction splint whenever
possible. If a traction splint is not available, immobilize the casualty using an
improvised splint (see figure 4-4).
CAUTION:
Traction splints CANNOT be applied to fractures that fall at or above the
level of the ischial strap.
Figure 4-4. Improvised splint applied to a fractured femur.
MD0533
4-6