Scotchcast versus Plaster of Paris

Caroline Davey

unread,

Mar 24, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/24/97

to

Does anyone have any research on the benifits of Scotchcast over POP?
As in our fracture clinic we have a consultant who does not like
Scotchcast particularly on upper limbs as he feels immobilisation is
not as good as POP.

Caroline Davey
Staff Nurse
Elective Orthopaedics
North Hampshire Hospital

--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ian D. Dickey, M.D.
Moderator: sci.med.orthopedics
McGill University
Faculty of Medicine, Division of Orthopaedics
Montréal, Québec, CANADA
Internet: i...@unixg.ubc.ca
Fax: (514)-939-2974 Pgr: (514)724-6194
-------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy C. Butts

unread,

Mar 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/28/97

to

On Mon, 24 Mar 1997 20:05:04 -0500, cld...@netcomuk.co.uk (Caroline
Davey) wrote:

>
>Does anyone have any research on the benifits of Scotchcast over POP?
>As in our fracture clinic we have a consultant who does not like
>Scotchcast particularly on upper limbs as he feels immobilisation is
>not as good as POP.
>
>Caroline Davey
>Staff Nurse
>Elective Orthopaedics
>North Hampshire Hospital
>
---------------------------

Hello

I am a orthotist. I have not found any difference in what type of
casting is used and there can be no difference based on simple
mechanics. Immobilization in totally a factor of how the cast is
applied. if he feels a difference the it must be because he has
problem with using the Scotchcast. Scotchcast is light and stronger
there can be no reason that I can think of to not use over POP.

Jim Butts RTO

It can be hard to teach an old dog new tricks

Don1251402

unread,

Mar 30, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/30/97

to

As an orthopaedist, I can give you a nonscientific reason for plaster over
fiberglass. Certain fractures in the wrist and ankle need to be held with
a well molded reduction cast. In my experience, you can mold plaster to
the desired position and it will stay put while fiberglass has a certain
amount of "spring" and wants to return to a more uniform position. After 3
weeks, when the fracture is more stable, a fiberglass cast can be used.

Don Corenman, M.D., D.C.

SteveR2255

unread,

Mar 31, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/31/97

to

While this discussion has a focus of plaster vs. fiberglass.... keep a
watchful eye open for a yet to be released uerothane epoxy cast tape.
This new product apparently has the conformability of Plaster yet has
three times the strength of fiberglass. It also promises near 100% x-ray
invisibility (no grainy artifact).

Will keep you posted when I hear more.

GREGGPOT

unread,

Mar 31, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/31/97

to

As a relatively recently-trained orthopedist in practice for 5 years now I
wholeheartedly support Dr Corenman's position re: desirability of holding
certain reductions with plaster versus fiberglass. I'm no "old dog" as
one of the respondents claimed anyone not prefering fiberglass must be and
I have a definite preference of plaster over FG in those cases where it is
important to have an extremely good fit of the splint/cast to the skin/Fx.
The only benefit of FG, in my experience, is a lighter cast which looks
better to the patient and is perhaps a bit quicker to apply. Those
benefits are not going to excuse a loose, poorly fitting cast that allows
a fought-for reduction to be lost.

Gregg

Gregg T. Pottorff, M.D.
Castro Valley, California