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Gypsum can immobilize a fracture and allow an injury to heal properly, correct a deformity, exert even pressure on underlying soft tissue, or support and stabilize weakened joints. However, its incompetent use may lead to many complications, including, for example, local maceration and skin necrosis.
Gypsum – types
Gypsum dressings that keep the bone from moving in order for it to heal are essentially bandages that have two layers – a soft layer of cotton that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from shifting.
Currently, the following gypsum dressings are used:
- traditional plaster: it has been used in medicine for many years and it is a bandage or gauze soaked in an aqueous plaster suspension. It freezes very quickly, although it becomes fully hardened in a day and dries up in about two or three days.
- synthetic plaster: it is made of woven fiber saturated with polyurethane resin. It is very easy to put on and adjusts to your body just as quickly. Synthetic gypsum hardens much faster than traditional gypsum because it becomes stiff after 5 to 10 minutes and fully hardens after 45 minutes.
Gypsum – advantages and disadvantages
Traditional plaster – advantages and disadvantages
Traditional cast, although it can stiffen an injured limb, unfortunately has many disadvantages. Firstly, it is quite heavy, and if it is put on incorrectly, it can lead to many complications, incl.
- local maceration and necrosis of the skin that develops due to pressure;
- pinched nerve;
- necrotic changes in blood vessels.
To avoid this, check the blood supply and neurological reactions 24 hours after plaster placement. Secondly, plaster not only restricts the movement of the diseased limb, but wearing it for a long time reduces the physiological tension of the muscles. Due to the lack of stimuli affecting the muscles, they lose weight and weaken. Sometimes it can even lead to bone demineralization, weakening of tendons, and serious circulatory disorders that require long and complicated treatment.
Third, traditional plaster starts to crumble over time. The plaster should be protected from water, and it should be added that the plaster is airtight, which causes hygiene problems. In addition, the plaster prevents x-rays of the damaged limb, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult.
See also: The patient lost his arm. Tight plaster may be to blame
Synthetic gypsum – advantages and disadvantages
Traditional gypsum is more and more often replaced by synthetic gypsum, which not only stiffens the limb, but also allows the skin under the gypsum to have access to air all the time and is lighter than traditional gypsum. However, this is not the end of the advantages of gypsum made of glass fibers soaked in polyurethane resin. The materials it is made of also allow X-rays (X-ray) to pass through, which greatly facilitates diagnostics.
It is worth adding that the synthetic gypsum does not crumble and is waterproof, which makes it easier to maintain proper body hygiene. After it gets wet, you can wipe it normally with a towel. It is important, however, that if we notice that water gets under the synthetic plaster, we have to dry the skin with a hair dryer, so that the moisture does not lead to skin maceration. Synthetic gypsum is hypoallergenic, it does not cause dryness and itching of the skin to the same extent as traditional gypsum. Interestingly, in the case of synthetic plaster, you can choose its color.
It should be emphasized that synthetic gypsum is not reimbursed by the National Health Fund. Its price depends on the manufacturer, size of the dressing and the selected color.
See also: Leg in plaster
What instead of plaster?
It is not always necessary to use plaster and the limb can be immobilized by wearing an appropriate stabilizer, i.e. an orthosis. Stabilizers work well, among others in ankle sprains, knee injuries or Achilles tendon rupture. They stiffen the limb thanks to the air cushions used in them, which are located between the layers of the fabric. The material from which the stabilizers are made is breathable so that the skin can breathe all the time. At the same time, the material does not cause abrasions. Such stabilizers can be purchased in many sizes, matching them to the circumference of the calf or wrist.
See also: Knee brace – when it is needed and how to choose the best one
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