Next, a roll of synthetic cast material is removed from its packaging while the limb is kept in the desired position by assistants.For example, in the lower limb, short leg cast, the foot is kept in the neutral position mostly but depending on the injury it may be in plantar flexion as well. Position the limb in the desired position.The physician and assistants wear gloves.Fold both ends of the stockinette sleeve over the cast padding to give attractive well-cushioned ends to the cast.Take special care to cover the bony prominences. Extend proximally and distally beyond the limits of where the extent of the cast. For upper limb – sitting or supine position.The width used is determined by the width of the limb, roughly.Available in a range of 1inch – 6 inches.Fiberglass bandages of appropriate size.Providing rest to limb or part in case of disease.Blocking movements in case of nerve, tendon or vessel repair. Definitive treatment of fractures or ligament injury.For joint immobilization in ligament injury.The use of fiberglass cast or splint can be considered in the following situations. The usage profile of fiberglass cast or splint is similar to that of plaster of Paris cast or splint.īut as I mentioned before, the fiberglass material is used less for splint purposes due to the costs involved. Indications for Fiberglass Cast or Splint Typically a fiberglass plaster bandage costs more than plaster of Paris bandage but the number of bandages required in a given setting is less.ĭespite the cost of a plaster of fiberglass being more than traditional plaster of Paris cast. It is hygroscopic and setting time decreases with humidity and warmth.Īnother aspect that needs to be looked into is the expense. Therefore fiberglass cast is used mostly in those cases where the healing process has already begun, acute period of injury has passed and fractures which are not displaced.įiberglass sets quickly, therefore experience is required to time the application well. In contrast, the plaster of Paris provides excellent molding. The fiberglass cast is less yielding to molding and to hold fracture fragments, molding is required. But there are some reports of authors reporting that it is safe to apply fiberglass cast in an acute setting also. The fiberglass cast, however, is not applied in acute settings because this cast is less accommodating to swelling or where the reduction of the fragments necessitates molding. Fiberglass casts come in many colors and some doctors even let the patient choose the color.įiberglass cast, like its plaster of Paris counterpart, is applied in case of fracture treatment. Plaster of Paris casts is white in color. It is three times stronger and but is only one third in weight.Ĭasts made of this material require less maintenance than those made with plaster. As compared to traditional plaster of Paris cast, it is light in weight and more durable. Traditionally, the orthopedic cast has been made of plaster of Paris and is called plaster cast.Ī fiberglass cast is a lightweight and extremely strong material. The fiberglass cast is also popularly called the synthetic cast. Fiberglass is also called glass-reinforced plastic or glass fiber reinforced plastic is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. Indications for Fiberglass Cast or SplintĪ fiberglass cast is the plaster cast made from fiberglass material which is s a lighter, synthetic alternative plaster of Paris.
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