Mold Types and Maintenance Tips - Encyclopedia of Health (2023)

What is an occupation?

A cast holds a broken bone in place while it heals. Plasters also help to prevent or reduce muscle contractions and are effective in immobilization.

The cast immobilizes the joint above and below the area that must be kept straight and immobile. For example, a child with a broken forearm is placed in a long arm cast to immobilize the wrist and elbow joints.

What are molds made of?

The outer or hard part of the mold consists of two different types of cast materials.

Plaster (in white color)
Fiberglass (comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs)

Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to soften it and cushion bony areas like the wrist or elbow.

Special waterproof pads can be used under a fiberglass cast to allow the child to wet the cast. Consult your child's doctor for specific cast care instructions for this type of cast.

What are the different types of cast?

Below we describe the different types of bandages, where they are placed on the body, and their general function.

type of occupation	Location	Used
short sleeve cast	Apply to the hand below the elbow.	Forearm or wrist fractures. It is also used to hold muscles and tendons in the forearm or wrist in place after surgery.
long cast arm	It is applied from the upper arm to the hand.	Arm, elbow or forearm fractures. It is also used to hold the muscles and tendons in the arm or elbow in place after surgery.
cast arm cylinder	To be applied from the upper arm to the wrist.	To keep the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a dislocation or surgery.

type of occupation	Location	Used
shoulder plaster	Apply around torso on shoulder, arm and hand.	Shoulder dislocations or after operations in the shoulder area.
Minerva Cast	It is applied around the neck and trunk of the body.	After neck or upper back surgery.
leg cast for short leg	It is applied to the area below the knee to the foot.	Leg fractures, severe ankle sprains and sprains or fractures. It is also used to hold muscles and tendons in the leg or foot in place after surgery to allow for healing.
cast leg cylinder	It is applied from the thigh to the ankle.	Knee or leg fractures, knee dislocations or after operations on the leg or knee area.

type of occupation	Location	Used
One-sided hip spica cast	Applied on one leg from chest to foot.	thigh fractures. It is also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing.
Cast of hip and median spica	It is applied from the chest to the foot of one leg and to the knee of the other leg. A barbell is placed between the two legs to keep the hips and legs still.	thigh fracture Also used to hold muscles and tendons in the hip or thigh in place after surgery to allow for healing.
Bilateral long leg and hip spic plaster	Applied from chest to feet. A barbell is placed between the two legs to keep the hips and legs still.	Fractures of the pelvis, hip or thigh. It is also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing.

type of occupation	Location	Used
short leg hip plaster	It is applied from the chest to the thighs or knees.	To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing.

type of occupation	Location	Used
melted abduction boot	It is applied from the thighs to the feet. A barbell is placed between the two legs to keep the hips and legs still.	To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing.

How can my child move around in a cast?

Remedies for children with plaster include:

crutches
Tramp
Auto
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Wheelchair
lying wheelchairs

pour care instructions

Keep the plaster clean and dry.
Check the casting for cracks or breaks.
Edge pads to protect the skin from scratches.
Do not scratch the skin under the cast by placing objects on top of the cast.
Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow air under the cast to cool hot, itchy skin. Never blow warm or hot air on plaster.
Do not put powders or lotions on the cast.
Cover the cast while your child eats to prevent food debris and crumbs from getting into the cast.
Avoid getting toys or small objects in the cast.
Elevate the cast above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.
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Encourage your child to wiggle their fingers or toes to increase blood flow.
If your child's cast has an abduction bar, do not use the cast's abduction bar to lift or carry the child.

Older children with casts may need to use a potty or urinal to go to the bathroom. Here are some tips for keeping casts clean and dry and preventing skin irritation in the genital area:

Use a diaper or sanitary napkin around the genital area to prevent urine leakage or splashing.
Put toilet paper in the urinal to prevent urine from splashing onto the cast or bed.
Keep the genital area as clean and dry as possible to avoid skin irritation.

When to call your child's doctor

Contact your child's doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms:

Fever (see Fever and children below)
chills
increased pain
Increased swelling above or below the cast
Decreased ability to move fingers or toes
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Complaints of numbness or tingling
Cast dripping or sniffing
Cold or cold fingers or toes
Cast gets wet or dirty
Blisters, sores, or rashes develop under the cast

fever and children

Use a digital thermometer to check your child's temperature. Do not use a mercury thermometer. There are different types and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

Rectal.For children under 3 years old, rectal temperature is more accurate.
ahead (in time).This works for children as young as 3 months. If a child under 3 months old shows signs of illness, this can be used as a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
ear (eardrum).Ear temperature is accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
Axilla (axilla).This is the least reliable, but it can be used as a first step in assessing for signs of illness in a child of any age. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
World (oral).Do not use a thermometer in your child's mouth until he is at least 4 years old.

Use a rectal thermometer with caution. Follow the product manufacturer's instructions for proper use. Insert it carefully. Tag it and make sure it is not used in the mouth. You can transmit germs through your stool. If you feel uncomfortable using a rectal thermometer, ask your doctor which type to use. If you talk to a healthcare provider about your child's fever, tell them which type you used.

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Here's when to call the doctor if your child has a fever. Your child's doctor may give you different numbers. Follow its instructions.

When to call a doctor about your child's fever

For a baby younger than 3 months:

First, ask your child's doctor how to take his temperature.
Rectal or frontal: 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher
Armpit: 37.2 °C (99 °F) or higher
___________ fever as recommended by provider

For a child aged 3 months to 36 months (3 years):

Rectal or frontal: 38.9 °C (102 °F) or higher
Ear (6 month use only): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
___________ fever as recommended by provider

In these cases:

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Axillary temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age
Temperature of 40°C (104°F) or higher in a child of any age
___________ fever as recommended by provider