Enhance Your Clinical Skills

The Nurse Practitioner Association of Mantitoba is excited to offer a Casting & Splinting Workshop series through our Continuing Education partnership with the Health Sciences Centre’s Registered Orthopedic Technology Educator, Denis Escobar, RT(Orthopaed). This initial offering includes two separate sessions: Below Elbow and Below Knee.

These hands-on, small-group sessions are designed to build confidence and practical skills you can use right away in clinical practice.

👉 Please note: Each session has a separate registration link.

This session is NOT sponsored. Registration fees go directly towards covering administrative costs and the supplies/resources needed for the session.

Rural NPs stay tuned! Planning is underway for possible workshops closer to your communities!

---

Casting & Splinting Skills: Below Knee

Duration: 3 hours
Location: Adult Cast/Orthopedics Clinic, Health Sciences Centre
Fee: $75 (NPAM Members)

Session Options (choose one):

• Weekday: March 31, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM
• Weekend: April 18, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM

You’ll learn:

• Below-knee backslab application using plaster of paris
• Proper positioning and molding techniques
• Introduction to Dynacast Prelude (or similar) for splinting
• Aftercare considerations and patient instructions

Please wear comfortable pants that can roll up to the knee for hands-on practice.

---

Workshop Details

Below-Knee Backslab

I. Introduction (10–15 mins)

• Welcome and Course Overview
• Review of Class Objectives
• Importance of proper backslab technique in acute injury management

II. Clinical Indications and Injury Assessment (20 mins)

• Lecture
  • Common injuries requiring backslabs (e.g., ankle fractures, Achilles tendon rupture, severe sprains)
  • When to choose a backslab vs. full cast
  • Goals of temporary immobilization

III. Anatomy and Positioning (20 mins)

• Demonstration
  • Key anatomical landmarks: malleoli, heel
  • Importance of the ankle at 90° dorsiflexion
  • How to achieve proper positioning
  • Patient positioning for comfort and access

IV. Backslab Application Technique (75 mins)

• Hands-On Practice
  • Applying padding with attention to pressure areas
  • Cutting and wetting the slab
  • Molding techniques
  • Avoiding common pitfalls: pressure points, short slabs, poor molding

 V. Aftercare and Patient Instructions (15 mins)

• Discussion
  • Instructions on leg elevation, mobility aids (e.g., crutches)
  • Warning signs of complications (e.g., swelling, numbness, discoloration)

VI. Q&A and Review(15 mins)

• Recap key steps and safety tips

---

Register Here