Casting Flashcards
Where should you NOT end a cast/splint?
In the middle of a long bone
Describe the best casting material
Lightweight, rapidly set, cheap, easy to apply, durable
What is most casting material?
Fiberglass casting tape, plaster of paris
Inexpensive but not practical d/t long setting time and weight
Plaster of Paris
How quickly does fiberglass casting tape set?
5-7 min
What are complications of immobilization by casting?
Articular cartilage degeneration
Loss of bone density
Decreased mm. strength
Why must a horse be standing for a slipper/foot cast or a bandage cast?
Maintain limb in wt-bearing stance
Why should you wear gloves for applying a cast?
Protect yourself from fiberglass
How long should the stockinette be?
2.5x length of the cast
Why must the foot be incorporated into a cast?
Max. diversion of weight into the cast
How can you reduce the amount of stress and strain on the limb while it is in a cast?
Incorporate the foot
Where should you include extra padding into a cast?
Proximal aspect, around coronary band/heel bulbs, and fetlock region
How can you slow down the exothermic cast setting reaction?
Water (cooler = slower)
How do you remove a cast?
Saw, Gigli wire, cast spreaders
How do you evaluate when to remove a cast?
Radiographs
How long should you stall rest a fracture w/a cast?
Minimum 12wk
What are casting complications or causes of cast failure?
Swelling, moisture, cracks, foul odor, increased temp in the cast
What can poor placement of a cast cause?
Abnormal positioning of the limb or pressure sores
What is the biggest sign of cast failure?
Lameness
When/how often should you change a cast?
Sign of lameness, q6wk in adults, q1-2wk in neonates
