Page 158 - Orthopedic Casts and Splints2

Performance Steps
NOTE: One fiberglass package should be opened at a time, because fiberglass will start to cure and
harden with air contact
19. Apply 1st and 2nd plaster/fiberglass roll.
NOTE: Examination gloves are recommended to protect the technician's hands as the resin in the
plaster rolls may cause the skin on the hands to dry up.
a. Hold plaster or fiberglass roll vertically.
b. With opposite hand unroll the plaster or fiberglass 1/2-1 inch and grasp edge with thumb, index
and middle fingers.
c. Place the plaster or fiberglass roll in bucket of tepid water and remove when bubbles cease
to rise.
CAUTION: Removing the casting material when bubbles are present ensures dry spots will be visible
during application. Dry spots affects the integrity of the cast.
d. Squeeze the roll together(do not wring the roll).
NOTE: To evenly distribute the water and prevent telescoping of the roll during application gently
squeeze the roll
e. Wrap the cast material around the neck, chin, mandible and posterauricular and occipital
regions of the skull and to the frontal region of the head across the temporal area to the upper
occipital and posterior parietal regions.
Caution: At no time is the casting material encasing the patient's mouth, nose or eyes.
f. Wrap the casting material in a figure -eight manner around the shoulders
g. Continue to wrap casting material to the level of the greater trochanters.
NOTE: More than one roll may be used initially.

NOTE: The weight of the body jacket should rest on the iliac crests
20. Laminate the casting material.
a. Place palm of each hand on the cast.
CAUTION: To reduce cast indentations, which can cause pressure sores to the patient's skin under the
cast, keep finger tips off the cast during the application and molding process.

CAUTION: The patient must be asked throughout the casting process if they feel pressure sores or hot
spots developing under the cast. hot spots are areas within the cast that continue to stay warm and may
even progress to hot. If sores or hot spots are developing the cast must be removed immediately
b. Rub the cast material in the direction it was applied.
NOTE: Laminating the cast material fills in the pores which assist it providing strength to the cast.
c. Conform the casting material to the body contours.
d. Continue rubbing the cast until the tone /texture changes from a glossy/creamy color to a dull
white color.
NOTE: The dull white color represents the cast beginning to cure.
21. Apply reinforcement splints to the cast .
NOTE: The reinforcement splints are used to strengthen and support the cast.
NOTE: The splints are applied vertical, horizontal or by physician's order.
a. Place each splint individually in tepid water, wait for bubbles to subside and remove from
water.
b. Squeeze each splint together to remove excess water.
c. Place one reinforcement splint over each shoulder from the mid scapula to the pectoralis
muscle
d. Place one reinforcement splint from the base of the chin down the anterior surface of the neck
to the upper abdominal region.
e. Place one reinforcement splint circumferential around the frontal region of the head
f. Place two reinforcement splints to the posterior aspect of the head beginning above the
occipital region and ending mid scapula region

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