Plaster of paris variety of applications

Usage of POP Bandages

The POP bandage can be used:

•   As a simple splint (slab to hold fractured bone and adjoining joints) (Fig. 23.1). Slabs of plaster for the purpose of making splints can be made by folding a plaster bandage along its length to form seven to eight layers. The foldings can be done dry or wet, the advantage of the dry technique being that the resulting slab can be tested for size against the length of the resulting slab can be ready, prepared before the manipulative procedure is carried out. The slabs can be increased in width by slightly overlapping each layer on the one below.

•   As a complete plaster cast (encircling POP device) to hold reduction long term for healing), the type and extent of the cast depending on the immobilization required:

Lower limbs:

     a.  Below knee cast.

     b.  Above knee cylinder cast.

     c.  Above knee (long leg) cast.

     d.  Hip spica.

Upper limbs:

     a.  Below elbow cast.

     b.  Above elbow cast.

     c.  Colles cast.

     d.  Scaphoid cast.

     e.  Shoulder spica.

Spine

     a.  Half-leg.

     b.  Full-leg.

     c.  Forearm.

     As a general rule, for adequate immobilization, the joint above and the joint below a fracture need to be incorporated in the plaster, although occasionally, if the fracture is very close to one end of a long bone, this rule may be broken.

     A plaster cast which is designed to immobilize the hip or shoulder is often known as a ‘spica’ (F also designed to immobilized the spinal cord as a plaster spinal jacket cast .

     Plaster of Paris is the most effective substance used in the immobilization of the trunk and limbs.

            The POP bandages are available commercially prepared, they are quick setting and extremely useful for maintaining reduction of fracture fragments. However, these bandages can also be prepared at the clinic to cut down the costs.

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