What are the different types of casts?
Types of casts
- Plaster cast. This is made from gauze and plaster strips soaked in water.
- Synthetic cast. This is made from fiberglass or plastic strips.
- Cast brace. This is made of hard plastic.
- Splint (also called a half cast). This is made from slabs of plaster or fiberglass that hold the injury still.
What are arm casts called?
An orthopedic cast, or simply cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster or fiberglass, that encases a limb (or, in some cases, large portions of the body) to stabilize and hold anatomical structures—most often a broken bone (or bones), in place until healing is confirmed. It is similar in function to a splint.
What is a soft cast called?
Splints, sometimes called half casts, are a less supportive, less restrictive version of a cast. Casts and splints may be used to help treat broken bones and injured joints and tendons, or after surgery involving bones, joints, or tendons.
How long do kids wear arm cast?
Casts are required for three weeks to three months depending on the type and location of the injury – your doctor will estimate how long it will be required.
Can you shower with a cast?
If you have a broken bone, it is quite likely that you have a cast—and that you face the big challenge of trying to bathe or shower while keeping your cast dry. One tip not to try is to shower by holding the cast out of the way. Water will inevitably drip down your arm or leg, soaking the cast’s padding.
Do casts hurt?
The cast keeps your bone or joint from moving so it can heal. But it also can cause discomfort and problems, from an annoying itch to a serious infection.
Can a child go to school with a cast?
you can usually return to school or work with a cast, but you should avoid strenuous activities that may damage the broken bone or cast.
Can a 3 year old break a bone?
It’s also possible for toddlers (and babies) to fracture bones in the fingers, elbows, shinbones, thighbones, ankles, toes and other areas of the body.
What is a long arm cast?
Long arm cast: A long arm cast is a plaster or fiberglass device worn over the entire arm to the hand (not including fingers) used to protect a broken bone and allow healing to occur.
What is a soft wrist cast?
Soft Casts. A soft cast is usually made from flexible fiberglass material that is molded to the patient’s injury. They can be used by athletes after the healing of an injury for extra support and a lower risk of recurrent injury. A soft cast is mostly for partially healed wrist fractures or for any other small fractures.
What is an arm cast?
The ARM cast consists of 3 basic parts, the modular ring, the adjustable pads, and the elbow joint. The modular ring forms the body of the cast and contains the adjustments for the pads (it is the large white ring in the pictures).
What are casts made of?
Most casts are made of fiberglass. Fiberglass is a kind of plastic that is moldable and dries hard. Some fiberglass casts are waterproof. Less often, casts are made of plaster of paris. This white powder is mixed with water into a paste.