title: Novel posterior splinting technique to avoid heel ulcers.
abstract: Heel ulcers are a costly and preventable complication of lower-extremity immobilization, but they still occur with some regularity. A technique using a short leg posterior splint that suspends the heel away from the splint is described. This modification completely removes pressure the heel to prevent decubitus ulcer formation. This technique is simple, inexpensive, and effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St, Providence, RI 02903, USA. raymond_hsu@brown.edu
authors.forename: Raymond Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lareau
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Born
mesh_terms: D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013165:Splints