Can a fractured arm be cured without plaster? The advantages of using gypsum from polymeric materials for fractures of a different nature

How much gypsum is worn, this is precisely the question that arises in people who once broke something. But it’s impossible to calculate exactly how long you need to go in the cast, and how long exactly you will wear the cast. Bones are restored in different ways. The speed of restoration of bone integrity depends not only on the severity of the fracture and the location of the injury, but also on the age of people, the general condition of the body, and whether you have enough vitamins of group D, phosphorus, and especially calcium.

That's why gypsum can be removed only after the attending physician makes an X-ray, indicating that the bone has completely grown together and you can return to normal life. But the approximate average terms of how much you need to wear gypsum is still there.

If you have an ankle fracture

With a similar injury if there is no displacement - gypsum is removed after 20-25. When there is an offset, you will have to walk in a cast from 30 to 35 days. However, this period may increase and up to 8-10 weeks.

If a leg fracture occurs

With a fracture of the bones of the lower leg with a displacement, gypsum is worn for 10 to 12 weeks. And damage to the tibia without displacement will limit you to about 4 weeks.

If you broke your foot

With this injury, the timing of wearing gypsum is influenced by whether there is a displacement. If it appears, gypsum will limit you to 8-12 weeks. If not, about 7.

Or the leg can be restored only if it is provided with complete rest. For immobilization, tires, immobilizing dressings and plaster were always used. Their timely application largely determines the success of treatment. Modern medicine does not stand still, so in the field of orthopedics there are more and more new methods and technologies. For example, gypsum, being one of the oldest materials used in practice, received a new plastic configuration. She copes with the tasks set perfectly, while devoid of a number of shortcomings that could not be eliminated before.

A unique innovation in the field of traumatology

Anyone who has ever broken a arm or leg knows what inconvenience the old massive gypsum brought. With him, a person was completely deprived of the opportunity to enjoy life. You could not even take a bath. And such torment had to endure depending on the severity of the injury from several months to a year. This state of affairs led to the fact that gypsum-containing materials began to become obsolete. Synthetic polymer bandages are already replacing them today. Plastic plaster for fractures relieves the patient of a sense of inferiority. The patient feels it as a simple dressing that provides the necessary position for bone fusion.

Types of Plastic Plaster

There are several types of synthetic polymer bandages: scotchcast, softcast, NM castes, turbocast. Each of them has its own field of application, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

Scotchcast has the best weight characteristics. Plastic gypsum on the foot of such a material will practically not be felt. An important quality is that it provides air access to the limbs. In order to apply gypsum from scotchcast, no sophisticated equipment is required. The material does not even dry when solidified. Especially it will be "to the taste" of lovers to paint and "tune" their gypsum, as it is available in various colors.

The disadvantages of Scotchcast include the fact that it can be used only in conjunction with a special rag-cotton stocking. This, in turn, means that it is undesirable to wet it, since the cotton wool will dry for a very long time, which will lead to the appearance of an unpleasant smell and diaper rash. In addition, such a plaster can only be removed with a special tool.

Softcast is a kind of addition to scotchkast. This is an elastic material used more often with dislocations and in the postoperative period. It is convenient in that when edema appears, it can stretch and take on new forms. In case of fractures, they are wrapped in plastic gypsum made from scotchcast.

HM-cast is a synthetic mesh with large cells. It is very light, can be superimposed and removed. All manipulations with it are best done with rubber gloves, since when it dries, it adheres very strongly to the skin. It is also possible to use NM castes only with a special synthetic stocking. Most often it is used as plastic plaster on the arm.

The most common material used in traumatology is gradually becoming turbocast. This material has impressive durability. When heated above 40 degrees, it becomes ductile, which allows it to be applied directly to a damaged surface without unnecessary difficulties. The absence of a cotton stocking means that you can safely take a bath in it. Another amazing feature that this plastic gypsum has is its working memory. Thanks to it, the material can take its original shape if it is reheated, which allows the use of turbocast repeatedly.

The advantages of plastic gypsum

In order to understand whether it is worth using plastic gypsum, it is necessary to conduct a comparative description and summarize all its advantages. The main achievement of synthetic polymer materials It is that they simultaneously possess properties such as lightness and strength. Turbocast, for example, outperforms the traditional gypsum cuff in both of these ways.

Everyone who has ever broken a leg should remember the appearance of an unpleasant itch under a thick white crust, which you can’t climb under. Medical gypsum is free from this drawback, as it has a porous structure and freely passes air.

It used to be very difficult to go for a walk in the cold season. A lot of socks were put on the cast, but that didn't help much. Plastic plaster, the photo of which is presented below, allows you to wear shoes with great comfort and feel like a full-fledged person.

In the good old days, after the bone had grown together, the patient had an unpleasant cuff removal procedure. Plaster for a long time almost merged with the skin, and therefore it was not easy to remove it. Synthetic materials have a smooth texture of the outer layer, and therefore gypsum made from them can be easily removed.

The disadvantages of plastic gypsum

With so many advantages, it seems that there should be no drawbacks at all. To some extent this is true, but nevertheless it is necessary to note the high cost of the procedure. In addition, not every clinic practices such treatment methods.

Plaster cast of plastic

Depending on what material gypsum is made of, it can be applied in different ways. If it is scotchcast, softcast or NM castes, then for their use special stockings are required, which serve as a layer between the skin and the external corset.

Turbocast is a non-lining version of plastic gypsum. Today it is gaining more and more popularity. This is largely due to the ease of its imposition. All that is required is to heat it to a temperature of 60 degrees so that it becomes ductile, then allow it to cool to 35-40 degrees and lay on the damaged surface. This technology allows you to achieve full compliance with the contours of gypsum and the surface of the body.

Removing Plastic Plaster

At home, it is unlikely to remove plastic plaster. Such manipulations can only be done with softcast. As for all other synthetic materials, they are removed using a special tool called tibiofibular syndesmosis. Outwardly, he is very similar to a grinder, which causes patients to panic. There is really nothing terrible - the working surface of the tool does not rotate, but only vibrates slightly, therefore it can not do harm.

The price of plaster made of plastic

If we compare the prices for gypsum-containing and synthetic materials, then of course the first ones will benefit. The usual cuff can be applied at any clinic absolutely free, while you will have to pay for new technologies. The prices for gypsum casting from turboplast are as follows: 11,000 rubles per foot and 9,000 per hand.

findings

In conclusion, it should be noted that the use of synthetic materials in traumatology avoids complications in 90% of cases. This technology is the future, but at the moment it is not widespread due to the novelty, as well as the high price of services for applying plastic plaster.

However, patients who have tried this technique unanimously say that it is very convenient. Other things being equal, ordinary gypsum does not withstand any competition.

Best remedy for therapy various fractures is a polymer gypsum. This device provides a high level of comfortable use due to the lack of all the flaws inherent in standard dressings. The correct application and removal can only be done by an experienced orthopedist or traumatologist.

In the modern rhythm of life, no one is immune from the danger of fractures of the limbs. In this case, timely medical care consisting in the competent application of a plaster cast is extremely important. However, it is no secret that ordinary gypsum brings the patient a lot of unpleasant sensations that significantly slow down the recovery of injured limbs.

The best alternative to standard orthopedic dressings is polymer gypsum. The device allows you to reliably immobilize the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe limb, without creating uncomfortable sensations for the patient.

In this article, we will tell you in detail about the main classifications, advantages and methods of using plastic gypsum for fractures. of a different nature.

Important to remember! The use of this orthopedic product is possible only as prescribed by an experienced surgeon, traumatologist or orthopedist. Do not do home therapy.

Device Description

The option of applying plastic plaster to the hand

This orthopedic product is a bandage made of durable polymeric materials. The main difference between plastic dressings and standard devices is their ease and ease of use, which enables the patient to lead a normal lifestyle without experiencing pain.

Modern plastic bandages can be used not only for the treatment of leg or arm fractures, but also in the case of serious injuries to the shoulder, ankle, foot or finger. Polymer gypsum provides reliable immobilization of the limb without loss of flexibility, which favorably affects the recovery process.

Types of fixtures

Among modern types of dressings distinguish:

scotchcast;
softcast;
primcast
turbocast.

Each type of product has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as different materials.

Scotchcast

It looks like plastic gypsum tape with a cotton stocking

It has low weight. The synthetic material from which the product is made allows air to constantly flow to the limb. To apply scotchcast, a doctor does not require a high level of skill or additional equipment, which distinguishes it from other polymer devices.

However, due to the roughness of the material, it is necessary to constantly use a cotton stocking for gypsum, which is the only but significant drawback.

Softcast

Convenient waterproof gypsum softcast

The softcast product is more flexible, which allows it to be used to create flexible dressings for various stretches. The material is a polymeric fiberglass fabric impregnated with a polyurethane resin. This makes the product waterproof but breathable.

Most often, a softcast bandage is wrapped around an adhesive tape to ensure water resistance.

Primcast

Primcast - one of the best types of polymer dressings

This type of plastic gypsum is distinguished by the uniqueness of the material represented by polyester fiber. It is completely hypoallergenic and has the following properties:

two types of stiffness determined by the orthopedist when applied;
high gas exchange due to the mesh structure;
favorable conditions for the "muscle pump", which makes it possible to quickly remove puffiness;
absolute non-toxicity.

It is also worth saying that the primcast is quite inexpensive compared to its modern counterparts.

Turbocast

Turbocast - the latest fracture therapy

Turbocast is the most expensive among plastic gypsum. The material for the performance of the device is polycaprolactone. Absolute safety and ease of use allow it to be used for any type of fracture. Among the main advantages are:

water tightness;
gas exchange;
compatibility with radiography procedure;
modeling;
the ability to remove and put on the product yourself;
lack of age restrictions;
complete safety of materials.

The disadvantages of turbocast are the high cost and complexity of applying polymer gypsum.

Advantages and disadvantages

Consider the main pros and cons of using plastic gypsum for fractures.

Benefits:

providing air access to the injured place;
comfortable wearing;
tight fit around the entire perimeter of the limb;
giving any form;
hypoallergenicity;
the ability to take a shower and lead a normal lifestyle;
light weight;
the possibility of applying plastic gypsum to the leg, arm or other injured area;

This tool also has disadvantages, such as:

muscle atrophy due to prolonged use;
high cost of materials, installation and replacement;
the impossibility of notching the device in the place of compression.

Many patients are wondering which plastic or regular plaster is better.

Despite some disadvantages of using plastic dressings, their advantages over standard ones are quite weighty. For example, conventional orthopedic dressings do not allow a person to take a shower due to the destructibility of the material under the influence of water. The resulting crumbs soon cause itching and allergic lesions. Also, ordinary gypsum is very heavy and does not allow air to pass through, which slows down the process of repairing damaged tissues several times.

However, plastic products are much more expensive than conventional ones and require more skills from the doctor when applied.

Remember! In case of fractures or sprains of various nature, immediately contact the nearest emergency room, where you will be given the correct diagnosis and put a therapeutic dressing.

Installation and removal

The option of applying a polymer bandage to the leg

The methods of applying plastic gypsum directly depend on the type of dressing. For example, softcast, scotchcast and primcast require installation of a special stocking to provide a layer between the material and the skin. Turbocast is installed without additional devices, however, for its application it is necessary to carry out a number of temperature procedures.

Unfortunately, there are no ways to remove plastic dressings at home, since you need to use a special saw for this.

The procedure for installing and removing orthopedic appliances is completely painless.

Important! Only an experienced orthopedist or traumatologist can apply and remove plastic plaster. Do not try to do such manipulations yourself.

average price

The cost of materials and overlay services depends on the type of device:

It is possible to purchase materials in specialized orthopedic salons or pharmacies.

Conclusion

The use of polymer gypsum accelerates the rehabilitation process after fractures of the limbs. The use of such orthopedic products has a number of significant advantages over standard devices. Convenience of operation is confirmed by numerous positive reviews of patients.

We all know well about gypsum dressings that are used to restore bone integrity, but today there is an alternative to uncomfortable, bulky fixators. In this article we will talk about modern means of immobilization used for various degrees of severity of bone damage.

Injuries resulting in a violation of the integrity of bone tissue are most often found with bruises of the extremities, both in adults and in children. Moreover, the latter, being very active and mobile, often end up in a medical facility with similar problems. Traditionally, in this case, a plaster orthosis is used - the tool is quite inexpensive, there is in every trauma department of any hospital. However, wearing such an orthosis can be accompanied by a number of inconveniences, for example, if there is a fracture on the leg: free movement without crutches is almost impossible.

The gypsum dressing has several disadvantages at once:

she does not look very attractive;
it gets dirty faster;
afraid of moisture;
when wearing such a bandage there are problems with wearing clothes, shoes.

Gypsum also prevents the penetration of x-rays (radiography is performed at the final stages of recovery after an injury), so the orthosis is removed and, if necessary, the immobilizing dressing will need to be replaced with a new one. Recently, specialists are increasingly less likely to resort to traditional methods of treating such injuries, replacing silicon chips with other materials.

Orthoses of the new generation

An orthosis is the general name of a group of therapeutic and prophylactic external orthopedic appliances used for disorders of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. If you do not resort to timely and targeted treatment of broken or cracked bones, they will grow together incorrectly, which will affect the further functionality of the organ. For minor injuries (muscle strain, cracks in the bone), dressings of weak fixation, for example, an elastic bandage, can be used. The fracture will need to be rigidly fixed for several weeks. Let’s find out what modern means of immobilization are offered by traumatologists?

For example, various types of fixatives made of polymeric materials, thermoplastics and fiberglass: a bandage, an individual laid on plastic plaster, a tire, a “boot” and so on.

Let's consider some of them:

Please note that any immobilizing devices should only be worn by specialists for the first time. Therefore, if an injury is received and there is a suspicion of a fracture, immediately contact a medical institution, undergo an examination.

Next, the doctor will advise which materials are recommended to be used in a particular case. You should also be aware that modern means of immobilization will need to be purchased at the pharmacy yourself, since these materials are not used in intensive care units (emergency rooms).

Modern methods of immobilization for a child

If a fidget kid grows up in your home, be prepared to treat him for various bruises and injuries. Inaccurate cycling, inline skating or skateboarding, climbing trees, catch-up games and other pranks can result in the baby falling. Cracked or broken bones are often found at the site of the bruises. Children do not like the traditional fixation dressings used to treat fractures because of their bulkiness, severity, loss of mobility, as well as the relative fragility of gypsum (chipping, a high level of hydrophobicity of the material are possible with mechanical damage).

What then use immobilization methods to treat such injuries in children? You need to choose some light, flexible, but at the same time durable and practical material, for example, a bandage based on polymers or an orthosis made of thermoplastic.

Modern materials are good in that:

Non toxic
do not cause allergic reactions;
do not constrain movements, but at the same time provide reliable immobilization of the limb.

Among their advantages are not fear of water, non-susceptibility to mechanical influences from the outside, precise anatomical and physiological adaptation to the body of a small patient, breathability, low specific gravity.

If the baby’s injury is severe enough and the orthosis needs to be removed during the recovery period, you can choose the appropriate type of dressing, which will need to be replaced if necessary. Dressings made of polymers have a longer operational period than plaster casts; moreover, the period of rehabilitation and recovery will pass much faster.

By the way, on a polymer bandage, unlike a plaster orthosis, you can pull on a sleeve of a sweater or leg (this lock is small in volume), and also wear loose shoes if the leg is broken.

Surgical methods for bone fusion

All that was mentioned above relates to conservative methods of treating broken or cracked bones. But sometimes it is almost impossible to resort to such therapy, even if it is an alternative to gypsum fixers. In such cases, osteosynthesis is considered the most innovative treatment method (it is used on broken bones, in case of very complex fractures, where it is impossible to achieve high-quality bone connection without surgery).

The method of osteosynthesis provides a solid, reliable fixation of the connected bone fragments until they are completely fused. During surgery, implants are implanted in the patient's body.

Please note that these are just auxiliary mechanisms that allow you to create the necessary conditions for healing, so do not consider osteosynthesis as the main treatment for broken bones.

Implants (knitting needles, pins, plates, screws and so on) remain in the human body, however, a new invention has appeared - biodegradable implants, which after a few years completely dissolve. In the manufacture of modern materials are used that are not harmful to the human body, but, on the contrary, contribute to the fastest recovery.

So, today you can already forget what gypsum is in the treatment of fractures - choose modern, more effective methods of therapy.

Plastic plaster on the leg and arm is still a completely new invention, which was invented as an alternative to standard plaster. Nowadays, this tool is becoming increasingly popular.

Plastic gypsum is a synthetic polymer material that gradually replaces conventional gypsum. You can buy it in specialized stores of medical equipment. Trauma centers and hospitals are increasingly purchasing them from specific manufacturers.

Fracture of limb bones is too common in our lives. Each time, doctors had to impose a standard cast, which in itself creates too much discomfort. This problem has been standing for a long time, since ordinary gypsum gives too much discomfort, makes the patient suffer. In order to reduce pain, add flexibility, a new type of plaster casts was invented.

The production of a fundamentally new technology as a result made it possible to impose special polymer bandages on a broken limb, which belong to a new type of means for immobilizing damaged limbs. The plastic form of gypsum weighs 4 or 5 times less than usual. This not only reduces pain, but also adds the necessary flexibility when walking. Having a plastic device, you can safely go to the shower, which is a big problem with ordinary gypsum, as it crumbles, collapses when water penetrates, and can lead to the appearance of bloody bubbles. Often the usual dressing needs to be done anew.

Plastic gypsum is used not only for fractures of the arm or leg - it can also be used for damage to bones in the area of \u200b\u200bthe foot, hand or shoulder. Regardless of what is broken - arm or leg - there is a way to fix the problem with minimal loss to the victim.

The plastic bandage devices currently manufactured are called scotchcast and softcast. They are widely used. Medical organizations give the patient a choice between standard plaster and plastic.

In addition to the above advantages, the new SCOTCHCAST bandage technology has other advantages. They are as follows:

The plastic form allows the patient’s skin to breathe, which is very important for the healing process.
The attending specialist can examine in detail the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe limb. For this, x-ray machines are used. Moreover, the objective clinical picture as a result is not distorted. The proportion of x-ray exposure is reduced.
When forming a synthetic dressing, a certain anatomical surface relief of a previously damaged limb is reproduced. A well-coordinated scheme does not shrink typical of standard gypsum; beautiful styling gives a tangible plus. For a change, it is available in different colors to choose a patient who chooses what his dressing looks like.
Synthetic gypsum does not cause any allergic reactions, this is practically impossible with its use.
When wearing plastic plaster on a broken leg, you can use ordinary shoes, which is impossible or very problematic when wearing ordinary plaster.
The polymer structure of the bandage bundle ensures low material consumption when using it, which affects the weight.
If desired, a synthetic dressing can be wiped with a damp cloth, this can not be done with ordinary plaster.
A plaster cast made of plastic does not stick to the hair, depriving the patient of this unpleasant effect.

This invention has many advantages and, it would seem, there are no drawbacks. But they are. The disadvantages of this type of gypsum are as follows:

Possible atrophy of muscle tissue as a result of wearing such a bandage for too long.
The plastic form of gypsum cannot be cut with scissors if it squeezes somewhere. This can only be done with a specialized saw. Ordinary gypsum can be easily cut with simple scissors, which is a definite plus of the old technology.
The skepticism of many doctors about the new technology, who believe that old medical gypsum can not be discarded because the new ones are too harsh.
The price of the new gypsum material is too high.
Plastic technology must be applied by an experienced professional, and this is quite expensive.

On this, the cons are exhausted.

The production of plastic gypsum devices is not limited to the adhesive tape model. To date, Scotchcast has already created alternatives. The patient can choose what he likes best and wear it for fractures of the limbs.

Softcast is the same plastic material as Scotchcast, but the cardinal difference is that softcast is a less rigid material. It is also called semi-rigid plastic, in which the mechanism allows you to create dressings of varying degrees of stiffness. That is, the patient can determine the degree of rigidity of the material imposed on him.

The dressing is produced in the form of a roll of fiberglass fabric, which in its composition contains a polyurethane resin, which hardens well under the influence of water. The difference from the adhesive tape production bandage is that during the hardening process the material does not become completely rigid, but remains semi-rigid. This allows you to apply certain dressings that keep muscle ligaments in good shape, reduce the risk of puffiness, atrophy, and significantly reduce the duration of rehabilitation.

They let air through and are waterproof; they can be easily cut with ordinary scissors, which does not allow the adhesive tape bandage. They are much easier to remove. The material used has a unique property: it can be removed even without the use of scissors, simply by unwinding the bandage. The instructions for use say how to remove the bandage at home.

All this stimulates patients to acquire softcasts for application to the arm or leg. These dressings are recommended when applying bandage layers in the following cases:

When applying a combined dressing according to the method of functional stabilization, in combination with a rigid form of tape. This combination is suggested when it comes to injury or illness of an ulcer of the lower limb in the foot.
With damage to the ligaments of the upper and lower extremities.
If the patient underwent osteosynthesis, but only if indicated.
When it comes to a bandage for a child
If urgent gypsum replacement is needed.

To apply a softcast dressing to a hand or brush, 3 or 4 layers of material are sufficient. The lower one takes a little more, from 4 to 6 layers. The patient is offered a choice of different colors of the material.

Another interesting development in the field of polymer materials was gypsum primcast, which received a certain share of popularity due to its qualities. The primast material consists of a substance called polyester fiber. It differs from fiberglass used in other gypsum devices. This material simply does not break up into small particles, which can cause any irritation on the skin itself.

Primcast has the following characteristics:

Polyester material makes it possible to vary the tightness of the dressing at the time it is applied to the damaged area, while the material itself does not foam.
The material has a varying degree of stiffness, which is determined by the specialist patcher and patient. In total, 2 different stiffness options are provided.
The mesh structure and a small amount of the polymer substance used allows continuous gas exchange, improves blood circulation, it is especially useful for people with spinal cord injury.
The material is almost completely harmless to the body, does not cause side effects.
The effect of the muscle pump is realized, i.e., the decline of swelling is accelerated by 5 or 7 days, in the old technology this process takes 3 or 4 weeks.

To all of the above, it is worth adding that the use of Primkast materials has a tangible plus - relative cheapness. The average price of such material is from 1 thousand to 1.5 thousand rubles, which is really cheap for the material of the new technology.

Turbocast benefits

Another plastic material used as a plaster cast is turbocast. Its main property is that it is a low-temperature material used as a plaster cast. When heated to a temperature of 60 ° and up to 100 °, it takes its plastic form. When the material cools down a bit, it provides an opportunity to lay gypsum material on the arm or other damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe upper or lower limb. Then it freezes, turns into a rigid, resistant construction.

To date, turbo cast bandage is the newest and most expensive development in the field of gypsum technology. Its individual properties are as follows:

very light weight, which gives tangible comfort to the patient;
the presence of a plastic form of memory, i.e., a property of a material that allows it to return to its original form;
modeling ability;
good compatibility with radiography, reduction in radiation dose;
the absence of any toxicity and allergic reflexes;
the absence of any reactions in contact with the aquatic environment;
the presence of certain fixing devices that allow the plaster carrier to independently remove it and put it on again;
the material practically does not cause damage to muscle tissue;
freely used for a child;
the complete harmlessness of the material is a property that is extremely rare in medicine.

Turbocast consists of a material called polycaprolactone. This material is absolutely harmless to all living things - humans and animals. When using this material, phenomena such as itching, allergic reflexes, and a negative effect on the well-being of a person are excluded.

This type of gypsum has only one drawback - it is expensive and its installation is also expensive.The average price for laying in the lower limb ranges from 16 to 17 thousand rubles. Overlaying on the metatarsal bones will cost 17 thousand rubles. It will be cheaper to patch the radius or ulnar joint - it will cost about 14 thousand rubles. Prices are very high and they often scare away patients who prefer cheaper models.

Turbocast, despite its youth, quickly took a step into medicine and is widely used in 70 countries of the world, including Russia.