What is the primary benefit of splinting a closed ankle fracture before transport?

The primary benefit of splinting a closed ankle fracture before transport is to prevent pain and further damage. When an ankle fracture occurs, the surrounding tissues, muscles, and ligaments can be significantly affected, leading to increased pain and potential exacerbation of the injury if the patient is moved without immobilization.

By applying a splint, the fracture site is stabilized, which helps to minimize movement that could lead to further injury or complications. This stabilization provides pain relief by limiting unnecessary movement of the affected area and protecting the injury during transport to a medical facility. Additionally, preventing further damage is crucial; without splinting, movements could cause additional harm to the surrounding tissues or lead to complications.

Though splinting can also contribute to factors such as mobility in the long term, and may indirectly assist in minimizing blood loss in an open fracture scenario, its primary role in this context is pain management and stabilization of the injury to prevent further complications.