Page 166 - Orthopedic Casts and Splints2

Performance Steps
Caution: The use of fiberglass casting gloves are mandatory to prevent the technician from receiving
chemical burns when applying a fiberglass cast.

NOTE: Tube of surgical lubricant can be used to keep the gloves from adhering to fiberglass casting
material.

18. Open fiberglass casting package and go to step 19.
NOTE: Open one fiberglass package 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 with one hand.
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 inward.
e. Place the edge of the casting material at the iliac crests and begin wrapping around the
torso.
f. Continue up the torso ending 1inch distal to the webril edge.
g. Overlap the cast material by 1/2-1/4 the previous wrap. The top of the cast material should
bisect the middle of the previous layer and present evenly applied cast material.
NOTE: More than one roll may need to be applied 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.

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