If you have ever broken a bone before, you should be familiar with the cast they enclose over the affected area. If not, then you probably have seen a friend, family member, or a stranger don one over their arm or leg. Either way, it is a well-known procedure to have a broken arm or leg wrapped in the hard material in order for the bone to heal. The casts, which are typically made of fiberglass or plaster, are a vital aspect of the healing process that allows the fractured bones to repair themselves in as little time possible.
Before a cast is actually applied, the doctor must perform an X-ray to evaluate the severity of the fracture. In that way, the doctor will be able to identify and position the broken bone, lining the bone up in a straight …show more content…
This is where the cast comes into play. First, the affected area is wound up with cotton or some other kind of soft padding. Then, the actual cast is applied over the padding while the plaster or fiberglass is still wet. Time must available for the cast to harden, so the patient must be cautious in the two day period as the cast solidifies over the fractured area. After the cast is fixed over the arm or leg, then the healing process can properly begin.
The cast holds the bone in place as the bone gradually begins to heal. Therefore, the cast is more-so considered an added hold for the bone to properly mend itself. The length of this process varies from age group to age group; for instance, smaller children may only need it for a handful of weeks while teenagers may need the cast for two months or more. Whatever the designated time is, it is essential for the cast to remain intact and in place during that period. Otherwise, the bone may not heal as it should if the cast is not holding the bone straight anymore.
After the bone is healed and the cast is ready to come off, the doctor will saw the hard material using a dull blade. Then, if the patient desires it, the cast can be given to the patient to keep as a memento. Perhaps, it can serve as a bittersweet memory of the time they had to live with a hardened cast over one, or more, of their
Before a cast is actually applied, the doctor must perform an X-ray to evaluate the severity of the fracture. In that way, the doctor will be able to identify and position the broken bone, lining the bone up in a straight …show more content…
This is where the cast comes into play. First, the affected area is wound up with cotton or some other kind of soft padding. Then, the actual cast is applied over the padding while the plaster or fiberglass is still wet. Time must available for the cast to harden, so the patient must be cautious in the two day period as the cast solidifies over the fractured area. After the cast is fixed over the arm or leg, then the healing process can properly begin.
The cast holds the bone in place as the bone gradually begins to heal. Therefore, the cast is more-so considered an added hold for the bone to properly mend itself. The length of this process varies from age group to age group; for instance, smaller children may only need it for a handful of weeks while teenagers may need the cast for two months or more. Whatever the designated time is, it is essential for the cast to remain intact and in place during that period. Otherwise, the bone may not heal as it should if the cast is not holding the bone straight anymore.
After the bone is healed and the cast is ready to come off, the doctor will saw the hard material using a dull blade. Then, if the patient desires it, the cast can be given to the patient to keep as a memento. Perhaps, it can serve as a bittersweet memory of the time they had to live with a hardened cast over one, or more, of their