Lesson 1Balancing stability, function and complication risk: how to trade immobilization rigidity for early mobilityThis lesson shows how to balance strong holding with early movement, using things like working braces, cast openings, and step-by-step holding to cut down stiffness, blood clots, and muscle wasting while keeping the fracture 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 sums up proven times for holding common fractures still, looking at children's wrist end, grown-up ankle breaks, and spine squashes, and talks about changing times based on healing signs, scans, pain levels, 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 choicesThis lesson explains how to record holding plans, go over choices, and get proper agreement, stressing working together on decisions, sharing risks, legal safeguards, and clear talk suited to patient's understanding and background.
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 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 fitted to each person and their risks.
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 looks at handling features of plaster, fibreglass, and heat-mould plastics, plus padding and water-proof layers, noting setting speed, strength, x-ray see-through, weight, shaping ease, and effects on comfort and skin health.
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 covers best joint placing for wrist end, ankle, and spine breaks, including okay bend and twist levels, and how lining up affects use, hurt, lasting shape issues, and chances 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 checks costs and supply of cast items and take-off devices, with plans for picking cheap, safe choices where resources are tight, covering reuse rules, local making, and focusing on best-value supplies.
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 outlines germ control when skin is damaged, including wound care before casting, clean methods, dressing picks, cast openings, and check-ups to spot smells, leaks, or dead tissue 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 moldingThis lesson explores forces on breaks, comparing splints and full-round casts, and shows how three-point shaping, bone pressure, and cast fit affect keeping position and stopping shifts 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
