Medical plaster splint

Types of Medical Plaster Splint

Medical plaster splint is a type of cast that is used to protect injuries and support healing. It can be made from different materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages depending on the injury, the patient, and the doctor’s preference.

Let’s look at all of the types of medical plaster splints.

• Fiberglass splints

  Fiberglass splints are one of the most commonly used plaster splints in hospitals today. Because of its lightness and strength. They can therefore be easily molded to the desired shape and come in various colors.

  Fiberglass plaster splints are waterproof and radiolucent and allow X-rays to be taken without needing to remove the cast. Fiberglass splints are durable and provide excellent support. They are often used for fractures and injuries requiring long-term immobilization.

• Plaster of Paris splints

  Another very common type of splint is the plaster of paris splint. It is cheap and easy to find. It is made from a mixture of gypsum. When wet, it can easily be molded to fit the part of the body that it needs to be applied on. Once set, it becomes hard and provides support to the injury.

  Unfortunately, they are heavy and cannot be used in situations where they will be exposed to water. Because they are cheaper than most other options, they are commonly used in emergency situations or where there is a low need for long-term immobilization.

• Short arm splints

  A short-arm splint is primarily used for injuries to the wrist or hand. It extends from just above the elbow to the palm and is mainly used to support and immobilize fractures or soft tissue injuries in the distal forearm or wrist. It is shorter than full casts and is more comfortable as it allows some movement in other parts of the arm.

• Rigid splints

  Rigid splints are not made from plaster or fiberglass but are made from hard materials such as metal, wood, or plastic. They offer the most stable form of immobilization and are used in emergency situations to keep an injury as still as possible until professional medical aid can be received. They are typically very strong and protect the injury from being accidentally aggravated, but they are less comfortable than other types of splints.

• Stack splints

  Stack splints use layers of material that can be adapted to the shape of the injured part of the body. Commonly used materials include thermoplastic, wire, and wood. They are popular due to their flexibility and ability to mold around body parts while remaining strong enough to provide support. They are stacked atop one another and can be adjusted to accommodate any swelling that might occur. Commonly used in pediatric cases or for treating soft tissue injuries.

Composition & Materials of Medical Plaster Splint

Let’s look at what materials make up a medical plaster splint.

• Research and Development

  A medical plaster splint is made from a combination of different materials that give it properties that allow it to be used effectively and safely on injuries. Commonly used materials for making medical plaster splints are gauze, plaster powder, fiberglass, resin, and water.

  The gauze base provides structure and a surface for the plaster or resin to adhere to. Plaster powder provides rigidity when mixed with water and applied over the gauze and fiberglass. Water activates the plaster powder and allows it to set. Fiberglass or resin-coated gauze provides additional strength and durability to the splint.

  This combination of materials is lightweight and waterproof, allowing for mobility and comfort, minimizing the weight on the injured area, and facilitating long-term wear. Often the exterior may also be coated with additional materials to provide a smoother finish and greater protection to the injury.

• Lightweight and durable

  The materials of a medical plaster splint are selected to balance being light but still strong enough to support the injury. Commonly, fiberglass and resin-coated gauze are used to achieve this. While traditional plaster casts were heavier due to the plaster of Paris, modern fiberglass splints are much lighter, improving patient comfort, especially with long-term immobilization.

• Comfort and waterproofing

  When selecting materials for making splints, special consideration is paid to ensuring patient comfort and allowing for exposure to water. Many gauze bases are soft and provide a comfortable surface against the skin. In addition, many modern fiberglass and resin splints are waterproof, allowing the patient to shower or engage in light activities without damaging the splint or hindering mobility or causing skin irritation.

Commercial Uses of Medical Plaster Splint

Let’s look at the business applications of medical plaster splints.

• Healthcare

  Plaster splints are used in hospitals and clinics to provide support and immobilization for patients with bone fractures and joint injuries. They are essential for providing the initial stabilization of broken bones while the patient is waiting for more permanent measures like casting or surgery, which is why they’re commonly used in emergency rooms and trauma centers.

• Orthopedic

  Since plaster splints are easy to mold and provide excellent support, they are widely used in orthopedic practices for treating soft tissue injuries such as strains and sprains. They are also used post-surgery to immobilize the surgical site and facilitate the proper healing of the bones and surrounding tissues.

• Sports Medicine

  Plaster splints can be used to treat sports-related injuries, which are a very common occurrence in athletes. They are very vital and used in sports medicine when treating ankle or wrist injuries, for example, allowing athletes to continue with treatment even when away from professional sports medicine facilities.

• First Aid

  Plaster splints are key components of first-aid kits used to immobilize suspected fractures or severe soft tissue injuries. They provide temporary stabilization until proper medical help is reached and are lightweight and easy to apply, which is very important in emergency situations.

• Home Care

  In the case of people with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgeries, plaster splints are often supplied for use at home. They allow patients to manage their own immobilization during rehabilitation or healing and are particularly used for patients who need long-term support for conditions like arthritis or previous fractures.

Customization Options of Medical Plaster Splint

Let’s look at how medical plaster splint can be customized.

• Size and shape

  Medical plaster splints are typically customizable based on the specific body parts and injuries they are meant to address. For example, a hand or finger splint tends to be smaller than one meant for a leg or arm cast. In this way, a more precise application is achieved.

• Material

  You can choose the material for the customization of a medical plaster splint. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, so consider the patient’s needs when making a choice. Options include traditional plaster of Paris or fiberglass, which you can make lightweight and more sturdy.

• Setting time

  Depending on the situation, it may be convenient for some people to have custom options that can set faster or slower. The setting time of a splint refers to how long it takes to harden after it is applied. Some injuries require immediate stabilization, while others don’t mind a delay.

• Aesthetic options

  In some situations, particularly in pediatric or cosmetic patients, the appearance of a custom splint can be significant for ensuring compliance with wearing it. There are different colors, textures, and patterns available. They even offer the possibility of embedding materials that would allow them to be more comfortable and less abrasive on the skin.

• Adjustable splints

  Custom adjustable splints allow for changes in position and tightness to accommodate for variations in swelling or healing that may occur over time. In injuries where swelling may be variable, such as sprains, these splints may be very useful as they can be modified as needed without requiring a new splint to be made.

Q&A

Can plaster splint be used on broken bones?

Patients who have fractures need to be immobilized so that they heal properly and regain full functionality. Increased or unnecessary movement of fractured bones is very detrimental as it may lead to poor healing and long-term complications.

Medical plaster splints stabilize the fractured bone by preventing movement and allowing the two ends of the bone to come into contact with each other. As plaster splints are moldable, they can easily be adjusted to the shape of the body part that is fractured, providing a tailored fit. Once the plaster hardens, the splint provides a sturdy support system that binds the surrounding tissues, nerves, and blood vessels together.

Plaster splints hold the fragments in the correct alignment, which is the position the doctor wants them to be in during the healing process. This correct alignment is called ‘anatomical’ alignment, while incorrectly aligning the fragments is called ‘malunion.’ To prevent malunion and enable the bone to heal correctly, doctors usually give an appropriate type of splint for the fracture location and type and apply it correctly.

What is the most common type of splint for a broken bone?

Medical plaster splint is also known as a splint cast, plaster cast, or dry plaster. Generally, there are different types of splints used to treat different injuries and provide different levels of immobilization, support, and protection. Some of the most popular are as follows:

• Prefabricated splints: These are ready-made splints that can be worn in an emergency or right after an injury.
• Cohesive bandage splints: These offer support and are quick and easy to apply. For instance, a back splint is worn on the back and is designed to help reduce pain, provide support, and promote healing by limiting movement.
• Vacuums splints: These are moldable and can be adjusted to provide anatomic support to the injured part, ensuring proper alignment and immobilization. They are particularly useful for stabilizing fractures in areas such as limbs, joints, and fingers. They are customized for different injuries.
• Finger splints: