The arm should be in a neutral position. Make a slit in the stockinette for the thumb to pass through. Note that another option is to cut the thumb hole after the stockinette is on the arm. Slide the stockinette over the fingers and thumb and down the arm. Ensure that the stockinette extends two to three inches beyond the fingertips. Start wrapping the padding, beginning at the wrist and moving distally around the hand and through the web space between the index finger and the thumb. Make three turns around the hand for a bumper. Continue to wrap proximally to approximately two inches from the elbow using 50-50 coverage. Wrap the padding around three turns for bumpers at the end of the splint. Continue to wrap distally to the wrist to ensure adequate padding. And then you're going to take a splint, or you can roll your own out. It needs to be about eight layers thick if you roll your own. Cut the splint to the appropriate length and round the edges. Cut an indent to fit the shape of the palm and round the edges. Place a fiberglass splint on the volar side from the palmar crease to within one inch of the padding below the elbow. Wrap the splint using either gauze or padding. You want to leave it where the fingers have good clearance. Cut slits on opposite sides of the padding at both ends of the splint. Fold the padding and stockinette back. I cut the hole for my thumb. Mold the splint. Be sure to always use the palm of your hand to do the molding. Never use your fingertips. Mold in the palm and maintain the wrist in a neutral position. Finish the splint with either an elastic bandage or colored adhesive self-adhering wrap. And that is the short arm split.

apply short arm splint

neutral position

thumb hole

stockinette

wrap padding