A comparative study of the number of replacements required and application times for synthetic casts, combicasts and plaster-of-Paris casts

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic nursing Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 193 - 196
• Main Authors: Herzig, Susanne, Müller, Jürgen, Schuren, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1999
• ISSN: 1361-3111; 1873-4839
• DOI: 10.1016/S1361-3111(99)80004-1

This paper describes an investigation into cast treatment with regard to choice of material and replacement need in 32 hospitals in five European countries. Records were compiled of 1781 patients entering the cast room for treatment with one of the six most common types of casts. The questionnaires were designed to give an overview of the total cast treatment in terms of materials used and total time. In addition, records were kept on any replacements needed as well as the reason for them during the entire cast treatment. Three casting methods were compared of which two were completely rigid, one using plaster-of-Paris and the other using different rigid synthetic materials. The third was a combination of semi-rigid and rigid material. It was found that synthetic casting materials needed fewer replacements and less time to apply.