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The Principles of Casting

This document provides guidance on casting principles and techniques. It outlines that casts should provide immobilization while maintaining function and avoiding complications like nerve damage, pressure sores, or fractures. Key factors in casting include obtaining a proper fit without tension, using adequate padding, and immobilizing the joint above and below injuries. Different cast styles are used depending on the body part and injury. Cast materials include plaster of Paris, fiberglass, and soft casts, with various setting times that require proper molding and drying.

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Suraj Singh
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453 views2 pages

The Principles of Casting

This document provides guidance on casting principles and techniques. It outlines that casts should provide immobilization while maintaining function and avoiding complications like nerve damage, pressure sores, or fractures. Key factors in casting include obtaining a proper fit without tension, using adequate padding, and immobilizing the joint above and below injuries. Different cast styles are used depending on the body part and injury. Cast materials include plaster of Paris, fiberglass, and soft casts, with various setting times that require proper molding and drying.

Uploaded by

Suraj Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Principles of Casting

Aims : The cast should Look Good , Feel Good, and hold a proper
Immobilization.
Obtain reduction, Maintain fixation and Retain function.
World Class : Thin but Strong, no Depressions, Snug but not Tight
Enemies : Too much Padding. The cast is Too Long or too Short, Tensor
Bandages
Complications :
~Nerve or Circulatory Compromise due to post reduction, or Post-Op
SWELLING!! ie Compartment Syndrome
~Casts that Slide Off!!
~Ulceration and Pressure Areas (caused by ridges, edges, finger
points,rubbing inside,loose cast or clonus)
~Fracture Blisters
~Other post-op issues, such as infection.
Teaching : Utmost importance, Written and Verbal!!
Keep the cast clean and DryNO Water, Keep it elevatedHigher Than
The Heart!!
Exercise the toes or fingers A LOT!!
Observe for problems in the digits!! Severe Pain, Numbness, tingling or
burning, Swelling, Ice cold, Blue, purple or white nail beds (should be pinkno
nail polish on either side so a comparison can be made. No rings.
Do not stick anything under the cast for scratchingcan be very dangerous!
Use a blow dryer on COOL setting only for relief or drying of a damp cast
( ie sweat)

Types of Casts and Splints


Materials : Plaster of Parisin rolls or slabs
Synthetic fiberglass or similar or Slabs of this Material
Synthetic Softcast, semi-rigid
Slabs, half casts or splints are all the same thing, usually used in Emergency
or Post op. Usually plaster is used. If the splint is to be made removable
then fiberglass is best.
Styles of Circular Casts : Short Arm , Long Arm, Thumb Spica (Scaphoid),
Ulnar Gutter, Below the Knee, Long Leg, Patellar Tendon Bearing, Cylinder,
Hinged, Hip Spica, Shoulder Spica, Bodycast, DDH
Styles of Slabs----Volar or Dorsal Short Arm, Long Arm, Short Leg, Long
Leg, Ulnar Gutter, Thumb Spica, and Humeral are the most common. There
are variations.

A Few Factors

A cast or splint is a case to support and Immobilize an injured body partno


tension upon application.
Plaster of Paris is better too thick than too thinit will break.
Usual treatment is to immobilize the joint above and the one below the
injured partoften not adhered to---if in doubt go longer!! Leave MCPs free
and proximally 1 inch or so from antecubital and from tibial tuberosity in BKs
The temperature of the water and length of time the material is immersed
are the factors that contribute to the setting time.
Leave time to mold the castto fit perfectly!!
P.O.P. hardens quickly but takes 24-48 hours to dry. Synthetics also harden
quickly but are fully dry in 20 minutes. The materials are exothermic.
It is easier to prevent a pressure sore than to heal one!!

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