How to build a Full Arm Cast.

Made of Plaster


The supplies you will need:

1) Preparing and applying the stockinette

All casts start with the stockinette. Use 2" stockinette and cut it so that the stockinette extends 1" beyond your knuckles and 1" from your arm pit. Cut a 1/2" slice at a 45-degree angle where your saddle joint, or thumb, will be. Place the stockinette over your arm and put your thumb through the hole you cut earlier.


2) Applying the cast padding

Take your 3" cast padding and start unrolling at the wrist. Go around the wrist once to secure the end and work your way across your hand, ripping the cast padding about half way across so that it goes across the thumb without bunching. Do this twice more, then continue up the arm until two fingers from your arm pit and work your way back to the wrist, cutting off the excess. It is important to overlap by 1/3rd. Now fold the excess stockinette back over the cast padding.

Important

The limb position is vital

for a full arm cast the elbow must be at 90 degrees and the wrist in the nutral position palm facing inward.

3) Applying the Plaster bandage

Put on the disposable gloves. Now take a 3" plaster bandage. Once again start at the wrist and make one complete turn to secure the end. As you bring the plaster between the index finger and thumb you let it fold in three ( in the shape of a N or Z) so that it is not right up against the thumb. Bring the plaster across the back of the hand to the wrist. Now repeat this process two more times. Finish the 3" roll by working your way down the rest of the arm. Now open a 6" plaster bandage and continue from where you left off with the 3". Work your way to the end of the stockinette, making sure to leave a 1/4" of stockinette showing. Continue back to just below the thumb, still overlapping by half a bandage width. Now open your 4" bandage and use this to reinforce the elbow.

4) Final molding of the cast

As the cast starts to set, smooth and mold the cast to the arm.

5) VOILA!

Now you have the perfect full arm cast.

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