Orthopedic Cast Specialist in Houston, TX

Doctors use various types of casts to help injuries heal, such as:

• Plaster cast – This type of cast is made from plaster and gauze strips. These materials are soaked in water and wrapped around the injured body part. Plaster casts take roughly 24 to 48 hours to harden all the way.
• Synthetic cast – Synthetic casts are made out of plastic and fiberglass strips. These materials are resistant to water, which makes it okay for this type of cast to get wet while swimming or bathing.
• Split or bivalve cast – This type of cast is used to provide the injury with room to swell. Once the swelling goes down, the doctor will apply more casting material to close the bivalve cast and prevent it from becoming loose.

The specific type of cast you need depends on the injury you sustained. For example, a lower leg fracture is usually treated with a short leg cast, while a unilateral hip spica cast is used for thigh fractures. Once the physician assesses your injuries, they will outline which casting options are recommended for you.

The length of time you will have to wear your cast depends on the type of injury you experienced and its severity. On average, plaster casts need to stay on for 4 to 12 weeks to ensure your bones have fully healed. In addition, your age is a factor in how long you’ll have to wear your cast. While children usually heal broken bones within 4 to 5 weeks, older adults are more prone to slow-healing fractures, which can take over 3 months to recover from.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to understand that the casting stage is only a portion of the healing process. Once your cast is removed, you will still have to be careful and regain strength gradually to avoid re-injuring yourself. On average, strength returns after about 3 to 6 months after the cast is removed.

The purpose of a cast is to hold broken bones in the correct position to ensure they heal well. Casts are used to keep injured limbs immobilized to avoid muscle activity during this stage of the healing process. In addition to helping injuries heal, casts are also used after surgical procedures. For example, after an operation on the neck or upper back area, a Minerva cast is used.

The medical professional will determine which type of cast you need based on your injury. They will also provide you with detailed care instructions to follow while wearing your cast. By adhering to these carefully, you can ensure your injury heals as swiftly as possible. If you have any questions about your cast, our team is here to support you!

While wearing a cast, there are several things you will need to keep in mind. Your skin may become itchy under the cast; however, you should avoid sticking objects under your cast to scratch yourself. This can cause skin irritation, injury, or infection. Instead, it’s recommended to set your hair dryer to cool and aim it under the cast to relieve itchiness.

In addition, you should avoid getting your cast wet if it is not waterproof. Only certain types of breaks can be treated with casts that can be worn in water. It’s important to keep in mind that plaster casts should not get wet. If you have a plaster cast, you will need to avoid swimming and protect it with two layers of plastic sealed with duct tape while showering. Furthermore, it’s important to keep your cast as clean as possible and avoid placing powders, lotions, and deodorants near the cast.

In summary, there are several things you should avoid when you have a cast on. The doctor will provide you with detailed instructions, and if you have any questions or concerns, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1200 Binz St #100, Houston, TX 77004. We serve patients from Houston TX, Midtown TX, Montrose TX, MacGregor TX, South Central Houston TX, Old Braeswood TX, and surrounding areas.