What kind of cast is used for a broken arm?

Casts are partly made from fiberglass or plaster, which form the hard layer that protects the injured limb and keeps it immobilized. Fiberglass has several advantages compared to plaster. It weighs less, so the cast made from it will be lighter. More durable and porous, fiberglass allows air to flow in and out.

What are temporary casts called?

A splint is often referred to by other names such as a soft cast or temporary cast.

What’s the difference between a hard cast and a soft cast?

Cast materials

The hard, outer layer of a cast is made of either plaster or fiberglass. Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and provide padding around bony areas, such as the ankle, wrist, or elbow.

What type of cast is used for a broken wrist?

Short arm casts extend from the knuckles to just below the elbow. These casts stabilize fractures in the forearm and wrist. Long arm casts cover the area from the knuckles all the way to the upper arm.

What are the 3 types of cast?

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 the 4 types of splints?

Splint Types
  • Long leg posterior splint.
  • Stirrup splint.
  • Posterior ankle splint.

What is a removable cast?

What is a temporary plaster cast?

The purpose of the temporary cast is to immobilise your arm or leg until you are seen in the fracture clinic. How to care for your plaster cast. • Allow the cast to dry naturally – Plaster of Paris requires 48 hours to dry completely. During this time do not cover with a sleeve or sock.

How long should a temporary cast stay on?

They allow broken bones in the arm or leg to heal by holding them in place, and usually need to stay on for between 4 and 12 weeks. Taking good care of your cast will help ensure a better recovery.

What is a cast medical term?

Cast: 1) A protective shell of fiberglass, plastic, or plaster, and bandage that is molded to protect broken or fractured limb(s) as it heals. 2) An abnormal mass of dead cells that forms in a body cavity.

How do you sleep with an arm cast on?

If it is your Arm, take the pillow from your bed and place it across your chest. Place the cast on the pillow to ensure that it is above your heart. A second option is to place pillows on either side of your elbow and point your fingers to the ceiling.

Is it normal to feel pain in a cast?

It is normal for your child to have some pain and discomfort while in the cast or splint. The practitioner may give you a prescription for pain medicine or suggest an over-the-counter pain medicine.

How long does it take a broken arm to heal completely?

In most cases it takes around 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a broken arm or wrist. It can take longer if your arm or wrist was severely damaged. You will need to wear your plaster cast until the broken bone heals. The skin under the cast may be itchy for a few days but this should pass.

Can a bone shift in a cast?

Even after reduction and immobilization with a cast or splint, your bones can shift.

How do you wash your hair with an arm cast?

Can I drive with a cast on my arm?

The plaster cast can affect your driving ability. It is not advisable to drive with a plaster cast on your lower body or on your left arm. With the right arm, you cannot drive if the cast involves your elbow or any of your fingers and thumb.

Do broken bones heal stronger or weaker?

Once your broken bone heals fully, it should be just as strong as the rest of your bones, so you won’t be more or less likely to break it than another bone.

Is a bone completely healed when a cast comes off?

It is important to understand that after the immobilisation time has elapsed and the cast/brace is removed, the fracture is often not COMPLETELY healed, but is healed with enough strength that ongoing immobilisation is not required.