About your visit
We have examined you and have ascertained that you have injured your knee. We have placed a splint on your knee to restrict movement and support your leg. We have adjusted the splint to fit you. Do not readjust the splint without consulting your general practitioner.
You may:
☐ remove the splint when washing
☐ remove the splint when sleeping
☐ not take off the splint
☐ put weight on the leg
☐ not put weight on the leg
If you need crutches, we have lent you a pair to take home with you.
When you get home
Move your foot, toes and hips
Bend at your hip and wiggle your foot and toes several times a day while wearing the splint. This increases blood circulation and reduces the risk of stiff joints.
Take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain
You should take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain. Pain-relieving medicine can be bought over the counter. Take only the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package. Contact your general practitioner if you need help managing the pain.
Treat the injury using POLICE
Use the POLICE principle to ease and limit the extent of the injury. Continue the POLICE principle until the swelling has disappeared and for at least two days.
- P = Protection: Protect the injured area. You may need to use an elastic bandage or athletic tape for a period of time.
- OL = Optimal Loading: Loading the damaged tissue promotes healing. You may therefore put weight on your leg and move your knee if doing so does not worsen your pain.
- I = Ice: Apply ice to the knee three to five times a day for 20-30 minutes. Wrap a bag of ice in a tea towel, for example, to avoid direct contact with your skin.
- C = Compression: Use an elastic bandage except when sleeping.
- E = Elevation: Elevate your leg when seated or lying down.
Remove and put on the splint correctly
If you are allowed to remove the splint, loosen all straps.
When it is time to put the splint on again, sit on a chair, bed or sofa with your leg straight. Open all the straps and stretch out the padding.
1. Place the splint under your leg, so the two hinges are level with the upper part of your kneecap. Wrap the padding around your leg.
2. Fasten the straps. Begin with the strap closest to your knee, then move up and down your leg.
It is best to wear the splint on bare skin. Alternatively, you can wear pantyhose or tights underneath. The splint should fit snuggly around your leg but should be loose enough for you to fit a finger under the strap. Use the clasps to open and close the splint and adjust the straps as the swelling goes down. When you are active, you will often need to adjust the straps during the day. Do not change the degree setting on the hinge. Contact your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if you feel that the splint does not fit correctly.
Check-ups
You will be called in for a check-up to make sure your knee is healing correctly. We will also discuss further treatment at the check-up. You are very welcome to bring a relative We will call you about the time and place or notify you digitally or by mail.
If your condition deteriorates before your check-up, do not wait, but contact your general practitioner. If your condition deteriorates acutely, dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline.
Move your feet often
To maintain blood circulation, you should flex and extend your feet as often as possible.
Worth knowing
Throw away the splint when you no longer need it
The splint cannot be re-used. So, when you are done using it, throw it out.
Return the crutches after use
When you no longer need the crutches, please return them to the hospital where you got them from.