Lesson 1Balancing stability, function and complication risk: how to trade immobilization rigidity for early mobilityThis lesson show how to balance strong hold and early movement, using things like functional braces, cast windows, and step-by-step holding to cut down stiffness, blood clots, and muscle waste while keeping bone 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 fracturesThis lesson sum up proven times for holding common breaks steady, focus on children wrist, adult ankle, and spine compression breaks, and talk about changing times based on healing, x-rays, pain, and getting back to normal function.
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 choicesThis lesson detail how to write down holding plans, explain choices, and get patient agreement, stress sharing decisions, telling risks, legal protection, and clear talk fit to patient understanding and culture.
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)This lesson define how break pattern, age, soft tissue condition, and other health issues like weak bones or nerve problems guide choice of cast, splint, or brace, stress personal, risk-based holding strategies.
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 linersThis lesson review how plaster, fiberglass, and plastic casts work, plus padding and water-proof liners, point out setting time, strength, see-through to x-ray, weight, shaping ability, and how it affect patient 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 fracturesThis lesson cover right joint position for wrist, ankle, and spine breaks, include okay bend and twist, and how position choice affect movement, pain, long-term bend, and risk of joint wear 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 devicesThis lesson look at cost and supply of cast materials and take-off devices, with plans for cheap, safe choices in low-resource places, include reuse rules, local making, and picking high-value materials first.
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 compromisedThis lesson outline infection control when skin break, include wound care before cast, clean method, dressing choice, cast windows, and check-up to spot smell, leak, or dead skin under 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 moldingThis lesson explore how force hit breaks, compare splints and full-round casts, and explain how three-point bend, bone pressure, and cast fit keep position 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
