How CastsHow Casts

Stephen Hampson 2005

Stephen Hampson 2005

WorkWork

Uses And Other Facts• Used for broken

bones and sometimes after surgery.

• Made of plaster of Paris or fiberglass

• Uses cotton padding to keep cast off skin

• Prevent further problems

• Very cumbersome and heavy

Anatomy of a Cast• Casts are started off

with a layer of cotton.

• Goes between the skin and the cast.

• fiberglass or plaster is placed on top

• This plaster is of Paris cheaper

• And finally you are given a sling which helps to support your cast.

Anatomy of a Cast (cont.)

Fiberglass of Plaster

Cotton PaddingArm

Cast Cross Section

Arm Casts• Short Arm

Casts, below the elbow to the wrist

• Long Arm Casts, upper arm to wrist

• Arm Cylinders, from upper arm to wrist

Arm Casts Uses• Short Arm Cast,

for wrist fractures / breaks

• Long Arm Casts, For elbow and lower arm fracture / breaks

• Arm Cylinder Cast, for elbow breaks and dislocations

Leg Casts• Short leg cast,

below the knee to foot

• Leg cylinder cast, upper thigh to ankle

Leg Casts Uses

• Short leg cast, lower leg fractures and severe ankle sprains

• Leg cylinder cast, knee fractures and dislocations

Other Casts• Unilateral hip

spica cast, from chest to foot on one leg

• One + one half hip spica cast, from chest to foot on one leg plus chest to knee on other leg

• Bilateral hip spica cast, from chest to feet on both legs

Other Casts Uses

• Unilateral hip spica cast, for thigh fractures

• One and one half hip spica cast, same as above

• Bilateral hip spica cast, for pelvis, hip, and thigh fractures

Care / Physician Needed if…

Physician Needed if…• Numbness is felt in extremities for prolonged period• Fever develops• There is severe pain under cast

Care• Wrap cast in plastic before

showering• Don’t break rough edges off• Don’t put powders in cast• Blow cool air under cast for

itch • Keep elevated

Cast Removal

• Casts are removed with a cast saw

• Vibrates but does not spin

• Padding protects from blade

• Heats up

About The Author My name is Stephen

Hampson. I like to play HALO, HALO 2, and Rune Scape. My favorite sports are soccer and archery. I like steak and bacon. My best friends are Evan and Jakob. I also likelike the cool pics that follow

Bibliography

• Google.Google.5/1/05<images.google.com>

• Children's Hospital of Kings Daughters. Children's Hospital of Kings Daughters .5/1/05

<montekids.org/healthlibrary/peds/orthopedics/casts>• Webshots.Webshots.5/2/05<webshots.com>