Lesson 1Balancing stability, function and complication risk: how to trade immobilization rigidity for early mobilityShows how to balance strong holding and early movement, using things like working braces, cast openings, and step-by-step holding to cut down stiffness, blood clots, and muscle weakness while keeping the break steady and patient safe.
Risks of over-immobilization and stiffnessWhen to allow early joint motionFunctional bracing and removable devicesStaged cast modification and wedgingMonitoring for instability during mobilizationLesson 2Duration of immobilization: evidence-based timelines for pediatric distal radius, adult ankle fractures, vertebral compression fracturesSums up proven times for holding common breaks steady, looking at children's wrist breaks near the hand, grown-up ankle breaks, and spine squash breaks, and talks about changing times based on healing, scans, pain, and getting back to normal use.
Bone healing phases and timelinesPediatric distal radius immobilizationAdult ankle fracture immobilizationVertebral compression fracture bracingCriteria for safe cast or brace removalLesson 3Documentation and informed consent specifics for immobilization choicesExplains how to write down holding plans, tell options clearly, and get proper agreement, stressing working together on decisions, telling risks straight, legal safety, and talking in ways that fit patient's understanding and local ways.
Essential elements of cast documentationRecording clinical indications and goalsExplaining risks, benefits, and alternativesDocumenting patient questions and teachingLegal and ethical aspects of consentLesson 4Selection criteria: fracture pattern, patient age, soft-tissue status, comorbidities (osteoporosis, neuropathy)Sets out how break shape, age, skin and tissue state, and other health issues like weak bones or nerve problems guide picking cast type, splint, or brace, stressing plans made for each person with risks in mind.
Classifying fracture patterns for planningAge-related healing and immobilization needsSoft-tissue swelling and skin conditionImpact of osteoporosis on construct choiceNeuropathy and sensory risk managementLesson 5Properties of casting materials: plaster of Paris, fiberglass, thermoplastics, padding materials, waterproof linersLooks at feel and use of plaster, fibreglass, and heat-mould plastics, plus padding and water-proof covers, pointing out setting speed, strength, see-through to x-rays, weight, shaping ease, and how they affect comfort and skin safety.
Plaster of Paris: setting and strengthFiberglass: advantages and limitationsThermoplastics and custom splintsPadding types and pressure protectionWaterproof liners: use and caveatsLesson 6Joint positioning and functional alignment: acceptable angulation/rotation for distal radius, ankle, and spine fracturesCovers right joint placing for wrist-end breaks, ankle breaks, and spine breaks, including okay bend and twist amounts, and how placing affects use, pain, long-term bend, and joint wear risk later.
Functional position of the hand and wristAcceptable distal radius angulation and tiltAnkle neutral alignment and rotation limitsSpinal alignment in compression fracturesConsequences of malalignment on functionLesson 7Cost, availability, and resource-limited alternatives for casting materials and removable devicesLooks at price and getting hold of cast supplies and take-off devices, with plans for picking cheap safe choices where resources are few, including re-use rules, making local, and putting first what's most useful.
Cost drivers in casting materialsChoosing between cast and removable braceLow-cost splinting and casting optionsReuse, recycling, and safety limitsTriage of premium materials in scarcityLesson 8Infection control and sterile technique considerations when skin integrity compromisedSets out stopping infection when skin is hurt, including wound care before cast, clean methods, dressing picks, cast openings, and check-ups to spot smell, wet, or dead skin under the hold.
Assessing wounds before immobilizationSterile technique for open injuriesChoosing dressings under casts or splintsCast windows and wound inspection plansWarning signs of infection under a castLesson 9Biomechanics of fracture stabilization: loads, splints vs circumferential casts, role of moldingLooks into how forces push on breaks, comparing splints and full-round casts, and shows how three-point shaping, bone pressure, and cast fit keep place and stop shift under weight.
Types of mechanical loads on fracturesSplints versus circumferential castsPrinciples of three-point moldingCast index and sagittal-coronal balanceAvoiding loss of reduction under load
