To compare the clinical effectiveness and patient compliance of resting splints and elastic bandages in the management of adult lower extremity soft tissue injuries without fractures. This retrospective cohort study included 659 adult patients (≥18 years) presenting with lower extremity trauma between September 2023 and September 2024; only patients without fractures who completed at least 8 weeks of follow-up were included. Patients were treated either with a splint (n = 392) or elastic bandage (n = 267). Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale at admission, post-immobilization, and follow-up. Early removal rates and patient compliance were also evaluated. Mean visual analog scale scores at admission were higher in the splint group (8.85) compared to the elastic bandage group (7.77, P < .001). Both groups showed significant pain reduction at follow-up, with no significant difference between them (P = .078). The early removal rate was significantly higher in the splint group (39.8% vs 15.7%, P < .001). Splints were more frequently removed due to tightness (12.2%). No splint type, application site, or presence of open wounds significantly affected early removal. Elastic bandages provide comparable pain relief and better patient compliance compared to splints in lower extremity soft tissue trauma. Given their lower cost and fewer complications, elastic bandages may be a preferred alternative in selected cases.
Özel et al. (Fri,) studied this question.