What is a short leg cast used for?

What is a short leg cast used for?

Short leg cast Applied to the area below the knee to the foot. Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains and strains, or fractures. Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

When do you use a fiberglass cast?

Fiberglass casts can be used to hold broken bones in place until they heal, protect a limb after recent surgery, or immobilize a joint for other reasons if it is felt necessary by your doctor. Fiberglass casts are being used much more frequently nowadays given the numerous benefits that fiberglass has over plaster.

Can I walk on a Fibreglass cast?

General care. Follow your doctor’s instructions for when you can start using the limb that has the cast. Fibreglass casts dry quickly and are soon hard enough to protect the injured arm or leg. When it’s okay to put weight on your leg or foot cast, don’t stand or walk on it unless it’s designed for walking.

What is a fiberglass cast?

Fiberglass cast. Also called a synthetic cast, it’s made of fiberglass, which is a type of plastic that can be shaped. It’s lighter and more durable and expensive than plaster casts. X-rays also “see” through it better. Fiberglass is water-resistant.

Is a fiberglass cast lighter than plaster?

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. Fiberglass is the better choice in case the limb must be X-rayed during the healing process.

What happens if you get a fiberglass cast wet?

In general, casts are meant to stay dry. A wet cast can lead to skin irritation or infection. Plaster casts and fiberglass casts with conventional padding aren’t waterproof. Keep your child’s cast dry during baths or showers by covering it with two layers of plastic, sealed with a rubber band or duct tape.

Can you shower with a fiberglass cast?

A new waterproof cast lining was developed in the 1990s for both plaster and fiberglass casts. This new lining combined with a fiberglass cast means a completely waterproof cast. That makes it possible for you to bathe, shower, and swim while wearing a cast.

Can you shower with a Fibreglass cast?

This new lining combined with a fiberglass cast means a completely waterproof cast. That makes it possible for you to bathe, shower, and swim while wearing a cast. Although a fiberglass cast can get wet, the typical padding underneath can’t.

How are fiberglass casts removed?

Removal. Don’t attempt to remove the cast yourself. Your doctor will do it, typically using an oscillating saw that breaks apart the rigid fiberglass (or plaster).

Can you XRAY through a fiberglass cast?

Fiberglass casts. Also, X-rays penetrate fiberglass casts better than plaster casts — making it easier for your doctor to examine your child’s bones while he or she is still wearing the cast.

How do you sleep with a leg cast on?

Elevate your extremity If it is your Leg, take some large pillows such as your large couch or chair cushion and place it on your bed. Lie flat on your back and have the leg propped up on the pillow. Keep adding the pillows until your leg is at least 10cm (over 1.25 inches) above your heart level.

How much does a short leg fiberglass cast weigh?

As an example, a fiberglass short leg cast, sometimes called a boot cast, weighs about a pound. The same cast made of plaster weighs from 21/2 to 31/2 pounds, Sicher said. Click to see full answer.

What are the different types of leg casts?

Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains and strains, or fractures. Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing. Applied from the upper thigh to the ankle. Knee, or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or after surgery on the leg or knee area. Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg.

Can a waterproof cast be used under a fiberglass cast?

Special waterproof cast liners may be used under a fiberglass cast, allowing the child to get the cast wet. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider for special cast care instructions for this type of cast.

When did they start using fiberglass for plaster casts?

The plaster casts we’re familiar with today had their origins in the beginning of the 19th century. The development of fiberglass casting tape in the 1970s led to the fiberglass cast that’s currently in wide use.