Depending on the application, forearm splinting may be done alone or may require an assistant. If the patient can follow direction, an assistant may not be necessary. If the patient is not cooperative or is sedated, an assistant will be required to hold the forearm.

Preparation begins first with identifying the injury being treated. Once this is identified, the type of splint may be determined. The most common forearm splint is the sugar-tong splint. Other forearm splints include a sugar tong with a posterior mold and a volar-forearm splint. It is necessary to determine the splint being used as the required length of the splinting materials differs. For the sugar-tong splint, the forearm needs to be in the neutral rotation, and the elbow flexed to 90 degrees. The splint should begin at the distal palmar crease, wrap around the flexed elbow, and stop at the dorsal metacarpal heads. If necessary, to add a posterior slab to the sugar tong, it should begin distal to the wrist on the ulnar aspect of the forearm and stop proximal to the elbow, which prevents elbow flexion and extension. The volar forearm splint also begins at the distal palmar crease and stops proximal to the antecubital fossa, thus allowing for elbow flexion and some pronation and supination. Whether using plaster or prefabricated splinting material, the required length may be measured directly on the patient using a sheet of cotton cast padding (Webril) as a proxy. The splinting material can then be cut to the length of the measured cotton cast padding. Plaster needs to be at least 8 sheets thick to provide adequate strength but no more than 12 sheets thick to avoid thermal injury. Plaster produces heat as it hardens and care must be taken to prevent thermal injury. Stockinet is cut so that there is extra on both ends. The extra stockinet will be folded down over the plaster which allows the creation of padded cuffs at the ends of the splint for patient comfort. Cotton cast padding is used to wrap the forearm directly over the stockinet. The plaster splinting material is wet, wrung and bonded and placed on the forearm. Webril may be used to wrap over the splinting material once more before overwrapping with an elastic bandage. If necessary, appropriate molding of the splint may commence.

1. Determine appropriate type of splint, in this case, a sugar tong.
2. The forearm should be in neutral rotation with elbow flexed to 90 degrees throughout the process.
3. Measure the appropriate length of plaster, 8 to 12 sheets thick, from the distal palmar crease, around a flexed elbow, ending at the dorsal metacarpal heads.
4. The measure, cut, and place stockinet on the forearm. Be sure to cut a hole in stockinet for the thumb. There should be at least one inch extra of stockinet distal to the distal palmar crease and extend to the mid brachium.
5. Wrap forearm with cotton cast padding beginning at the distal palmar crease and ending distal to the mid brachium, ensuring 50% overlap of padding with a minimum of 2 layers. Ensure that bony prominence is well padded. Attempt to avoid bunching or wrinkles in padding.
6. Dip plaster into the water to thoroughly wet. 
7. Wring wet plaster and bond together between fingers.
8. Apply plaster to cotton cast padding on the forearm, ensuring that the plaster begins at the distal palmar crease, wraps around the elbow and ends at the dorsal metacarpal heads.
9. Overwrap plaster with one layer of cotton cast padding to avoid plaster sticking to an elastic bandage.
10. Fold excess stockinet over plaster and cotton cast padding so that there is a cuff at each end of the splint.
11. Loosely wrap entire splint with an elastic bandage.
12. Apply appropriate mold while the plaster is hardening.
13. Avoid placing a splint on pillows or blanket during hardening process as this has an insulating effect.
14. Once hard, re-assess neurovascular status of hand and fingers.

Complications of forearm splinting include pressure necrosis, which can begin as soon as 2 hours after application, compartment syndrome if wrapped too tightly, thermal injury from plaster if too thick, and joint stiffness, specifically the metacarpophalangeal joints if the splint extends past the distal palmar crease.[6][7][8]

Forearm splinting is an excellent way to immobilize the forearm to help alleviate pain, stabilize injuries, prevent further damage to bones, muscles, nerves and/or arteries, and prevents a closed fracture from becoming an open one. Furthermore, due to the non-circumferential nature of the splint, as opposed to a cast, it can allow for soft tissue swelling and can be easily removed by the clinician to evaluate any wounds beneath.[9][10] In the acute setting, it is an excellent way to temporize forearm injuries.

After placement of the forearm splint, it is important to educate the patient on proper splint care. The splint needs to remain clean and dry. If the splint gets wet, the plaster loses its strength and the padding beneath will not dry. This can lead to maceration and breakdown of intact skin. Furthermore, if there is an open wound already beneath, it can lead to infection. In instances where the splint becomes wet, the patient should return to the place where the splint was placed. The patient should be instructed to avoid removing the splint, especially if the splint was applied for a fracture or dislocation. Removal in this instance can cause re-displacement of the fracture or re-dislocation. Most importantly, should the patient develop new-onset numbness or tingling of the hand or fingers they should first elevate the forearm and if it does not resolve, return to the place of splint application or emergency department for further evaluation.

Forearm splinting is done by many healthcare professionals that includes the emergency department physician, orthopedic surgeon, therapist, primary care provider, orthopedic nurse and the urgent care physician. Forearm splinting is an excellent way to immobilize the forearm to help alleviate pain, stabilize injuries, prevent further damage to bones, muscles, nerves and/or arteries, and prevents a closed fracture from becoming an open one. Furthermore, due to the non-circumferential nature of the splint, as opposed to a cast, it can allow for soft tissue swelling and can be easily removed by the clinician to evaluate any wounds beneath.[9][10] In the acute setting, it is an excellent way to temporize forearm injuries.