Orthopaedic Casting Course

Lesson 1 • Cast Types and Material Overview

Introduces plaster, fibreglass, and hybrid cast materials alongside splint options. Sets the stage for material-specific technique chapters that follow.

Lesson 2 • Patient Assessment Before Casting

Covers history taking, physical examination, and imaging interpretation specific to casting decisions. Ensures clinicians gather all data needed to plan safe immobilisation.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Immobilisation

Explains biomechanical rationale for immobilising fractures and soft tissue injuries. Links immobilisation goals to healing physiology and patient outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Anatomy Relevant to Casting

Reviews bones, joints, soft tissues, and neurovascular structures affected by immobilisation. Provides the anatomical baseline required for all subsequent casting decisions.

Lesson 1 • Infection Control and Material Safety

Applies standard precautions and material-specific safety protocols during casting procedures. Protects both patient and clinician from chemical and biological hazards.

Lesson 2 • Padding and Stockinette Selection

Details the role of stockinette, cotton padding, and specialty foam in pressure distribution. Proper padding selection directly prevents pressure sores and cast complications.

Lesson 3 • Fibreglass and Synthetic Cast Materials

Covers resin-impregnated tape properties, activation methods, and strength-to-weight advantages. Contrasts with plaster to guide appropriate material choice.

Lesson 4 • Tools, Equipment, and Workspace Setup

Identifies essential tools including cast saws, spreaders, and water buckets and explains their safe use. An organised workspace reduces errors and improves efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Patient Education After Splinting

Provides structured guidance on activity restrictions, elevation, and warning signs for patients. Effective education reduces emergency revisits and improves adherence.

Lesson 2 • Lower Extremity Splinting

Covers posterior ankle, stirrup, and knee immobiliser splint techniques for lower limb injuries. Proper limb positioning prevents malalignment during the acute phase.

Lesson 3 • Splinting Principles and Indications

Distinguishes splints from casts and explains why splints are preferred in acute injury management. Establishes the clinical logic guiding splint selection.

Lesson 4 • Upper Extremity Splinting

Teaches posterior elbow, sugar-tong forearm, and volar wrist splint application step by step. Correct positioning and padding are emphasised throughout each technique.

Lesson 1 • Short Arm Cast Application

Teaches step-by-step short arm cast technique from stockinette to final trim for distal radius and wrist injuries. Correct wrist positioning and palm clearance are key outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Moulding and Contouring Upper Extremity Casts

Teaches three-point moulding, interosseous moulding, and palmar arch maintenance specific to upper limb casts. Proper moulding maintains reduction and prevents cast loosening.

Lesson 3 • Long Arm Cast Application

Extends short arm technique to include elbow immobilisation for forearm and elbow fractures. Elbow angle and forearm rotation are critical positioning parameters.

Lesson 4 • Thumb Spica Cast

Covers thumb spica cast for scaphoid fractures and thumb injuries requiring immobilisation of the first ray. Thumb position and interphalangeal joint freedom are emphasised.

Lesson 1 • Short Leg Cast Application

Teaches short leg cast technique for ankle fractures and foot injuries with emphasis on ankle positioning at 90 degrees. Correct heel moulding and toe clearance are key skills.

Lesson 2 • Cylinder Cast for Knee Injuries

Teaches cylinder cast application for patellar fractures and quadriceps tendon repairs requiring knee extension. Proximal and distal trim lines determine comfort and function.

Lesson 3 • Patellar Tendon-Bearing Cast

Covers the specialised patellar tendon-bearing cast that allows partial weight bearing after tibial fractures. Correct patellar tendon shelf moulding is the defining technical skill.

Lesson 4 • Long Leg Cast Application

Extends short leg technique to include knee immobilisation for tibial fractures and ligamentous injuries. Knee flexion angle and rotational alignment are critical parameters.

Lesson 1 • Compartment Syndrome Recognition

Covers the pathophysiology, clinical signs, and emergency response to acute compartment syndrome in casted limbs. Immediate cast splitting and bivalving are life-limb-saving skills.

Lesson 2 • Cast Loosening, Cracking, and Failure

Diagnoses mechanical cast failure and determines when recasting is required versus minor repair. Maintaining cast integrity is essential for fracture alignment and healing.

Lesson 3 • Cast Syndrome and Vascular Complications

Addresses superior mesenteric artery syndrome in body casts and vascular compromise in limb casts. Prompt recognition prevents serious systemic and limb-threatening outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Thermal Burns and Allergic Reactions

Explains exothermic burn risk from plaster and contact dermatitis from synthetic materials. Correct water temperature and padding technique are the primary preventive measures.

Lesson 1 • Functional Bracing as a Transition Tool

Explains the role of functional braces in bridging full immobilisation and unrestricted activity. Brace selection and fitting are matched to injury type and healing stage.

Lesson 2 • Rehabilitation Principles After Casting

Introduces progressive mobilisation, strengthening, and proprioception protocols specific to post-cast recovery. Rehabilitation timing is matched to fracture healing stage.

Lesson 3 • Post-Immobilisation Assessment

Guides systematic evaluation of range of motion, strength, skin integrity, and radiographic alignment after cast removal. Findings direct the rehabilitation plan.

Lesson 4 • Safe Cast Removal Techniques

Teaches cast saw operation, bivalving, and spreading techniques to remove casts without skin injury. Correct saw angle and oscillating technique are the critical safety skills.

Lesson 1 • Spica Casts for Hip and Shoulder

Covers hip spica and shoulder spica cast application for paediatric hip dysplasia and proximal humerus injuries. Positioning aids and team-based application are essential for these complex casts.

Lesson 2 • Serial Casting for Contractures

Introduces progressive serial casting to correct joint contractures in neurological and post-traumatic conditions. Incremental position changes and tissue response monitoring guide the protocol.

Lesson 3 • Geriatric Casting Considerations

Covers osteoporotic bone, fragile skin, and comorbidity management in elderly patients requiring casting. Modified padding and close monitoring reduce complication risk.

Lesson 4 • Paediatric Casting Considerations

Addresses growth plate injuries, remodelling potential, and behavioural management unique to paediatric patients. Cast technique is modified to account for smaller anatomy and rapid healing.