Author Topic: Why do we still use plaster casts  (Read 3269 times)

Why do we still use plaster casts
« on: 19 January, 2015, 09:20:34 pm »
Wearing my first ever, not a full pot, just under fingers, palm and. forearm, so heavy, I suppose it is cheap

Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #1 on: 19 January, 2015, 09:30:17 pm »
Fell off on ice?

GWS. Can you still ride your bike, though?

Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #2 on: 19 January, 2015, 09:56:19 pm »
Nope, sliced the extensor tendons on my left index , fair bit of skin too. Should get a plastic support in 4 weeks so hope will be ok for the k.gallop.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #3 on: 19 January, 2015, 10:00:51 pm »
Plaster is just cheap and nasty. When I had to be a cast for many months over an Aussie summer, I chose a fibreglass cast with my own (fairly expensive) GoreTex liner in place of the normal cotton lining. It was great swimming with the cast on but the liner doesn't insulate skin from the hot blade when they cut off the fibreglass. I still have a scar from the first time they removed the cast (I had a cast so long, it had to be replaced as my leg muscles shrunk).
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #4 on: 19 January, 2015, 10:39:25 pm »
Plaster is cheap, cheerful, easy to apply and conforms to body contours rather better than some of the newer casting materials.

It allows more moisture movement than most plastic replacements.

It's not perfect; neither are the newer casting materials.

I'd probably opt to have it initially for a fresh injury for myself.

Otto

  • Biking Bad
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #5 on: 19 January, 2015, 10:47:53 pm »
Last two times I broke my arm, had a plaster cast, then it was changed for a fibreglass one a couple of days later

mcshroom

  • Mushroom
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #6 on: 19 January, 2015, 10:58:40 pm »
Standardised skill set for the people fitting it, standard materials for any shape so less specialist stock required and pretty low cost. Seems a sensible compromise to me.
Climbs like a sprinter, sprints like a climber!

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #7 on: 19 January, 2015, 11:02:31 pm »
Last two times I broke my arm, had a plaster cast, then it was changed for a fibreglass one a couple of days later

Same for me.  The plaster one stayed on until they could take another X-ray and be sure the bone was setting correctly, at which point they applied the more permanent fibre cast.

(I'm not sure the bone actually did set correctly, but that's another story.)

GWS Aidan.

barakta

  • Bastard lovechild of Yomiko Readman and Johnny 5
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #8 on: 20 January, 2015, 12:48:22 am »
They are better weapons for the wearer. DAHIKT  :demon:

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #9 on: 20 January, 2015, 01:13:27 am »
They are easier for inexperienced staff.

Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #10 on: 20 January, 2015, 08:06:13 am »
You can write stuff on them. 
Move Faster and Bake Things

Tigerrr

  • That England that was wont to conquer others Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
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Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #11 on: 20 January, 2015, 08:06:41 am »
When I broke my ankle I had a spiffy plastic adjustable boot. It could be removed completely which was a relief.
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Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #12 on: 20 January, 2015, 11:13:43 am »
Plaster is usually used in the initial management of the injury but once the swelling goes down, it is replaced with a lightweight synthetic one, esp. if the cast is to be worn for some time and the patient is mobile. Synthetic casts are also more hard wearing and water resistant. If there is no swelling then a synthetic cast may be first line treatment.

However, things have moved on and removable splints are often used nowadays. It all depends on the nature of the injury and whether it has been surgically fixed.
I am often asked, what does YOAV stand for? It stands for Yoav On A Velo

mcshroom

  • Mushroom
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #13 on: 20 January, 2015, 11:41:52 am »
When your lot had surgically fixed my arm I had no cast at all. :)
Climbs like a sprinter, sprints like a climber!

Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #14 on: 20 January, 2015, 06:01:01 pm »
  Easy for the inexperienced to apply. I made myself one many years ago in my misspent youth when after a much extended holiday I couldn't think of a good excuse for my boss so the cast did the job just fine.

barakta

  • Bastard lovechild of Yomiko Readman and Johnny 5
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #15 on: 20 January, 2015, 10:08:24 pm »
My colleague slipped on ice on his bike yesterday and thinks he has fractured his wrist slightly. Being a 'medic of sorts' (MH nurse) he's being a stubborn git and has made his own splint out of tuibigrip and 15cm rulers... I've expressed my opinion that he's a fule and should go to bloody hospital to no avail...   :facepalm:

Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #16 on: 23 January, 2015, 01:04:30 pm »
When I broke some fingers in a pothole crash last year the plaster was applied by A&E and before it had been on 24 hours it was removed and replaced by a thermoplastic splint at the hospital I was referred to.

barakta

  • Bastard lovechild of Yomiko Readman and Johnny 5
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #17 on: 23 January, 2015, 05:43:42 pm »
I will confess to sneaky remoulding of thermoplastic splints when the one I had wasn't quite right and I couldn't face telephones (couldn't type on textphone at the time) to rearrange appointments with OT when I had a Kim and a perfectly serviceable kitchen  ;D

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Why do we still use plaster casts
« Reply #18 on: 23 January, 2015, 06:04:18 pm »
I will confess to sneaky remoulding of thermoplastic splints when the one I had wasn't quite right and I couldn't face telephones (couldn't type on textphone at the time) to rearrange appointments with OT when I had a Kim and a perfectly serviceable kitchen  ;D

I would do the same if I had a Kim...
...I often lose the will to live  on the phone to various healthcare facilities and I'm an articulate hearie who speaks what approximates to Standard English.