Orthopedic Braces & Support, Casting & Splints, also called support splints, are specifically designed for use during treatment for soft-tissue injuries (including shock, body-fat shift, stress, or trauma) of the lower limbs. Orthopedic splints can be broadly classified into two main categories - compression splints and traction splints. Compression splints work by expanding the surface area of tissue by adding increased pressure at the point of contact. The intention is to reduce the amount of deformation that takes place over a period of time. Traction splints alter the tissue surface from one direction to another, to facilitate changes in tissue location.