Everyone knows that with such a problem as a fracture, you must immediately contact a traumatologist for qualified help. The thing is that an inexperienced person may not distinguish this trauma from another, with similar symptoms. In addition, it is necessary to undergo a qualified examination, including making an x-ray.
By the way, often limbs are gypsum at home and some unscrupulous pupils or students, so as not to write in the classroom. However, such actions can hardly be called justified, because in the educational institution they will necessarily require a certificate from a doctor.
Thoracobrachial dressing
Thoracobrachial dressing is applied for fractures of the humerus. It provides for the application of a gypsum corset using two spindles. If the shoulder joint is damaged, the arm should be taken to the side to the horizontal line, then the limb should be fixed. Having determined the damaged arm in the desired position, apply a thoracobrachial bandage. This is a complex procedure that can only be carried out by an experienced specialist with certain knowledge and skills.
First of all, it is necessary to anesthetize in a sitting or standing position, and after surgical intervention in a lying position, fix a broken arm in a cast. The dressing is done with the use of wooden sticks from wide and plaster bandages in large quantities, medium ordinary bandages and plaster bandages folded in four layers. First you need to prepare a plaster corset. To do this, roll out the gypsum tape on the cotton lining to the pubic joint. First, they conduct one round of bandage application, and then make another round with the cover of half the first. The overlay procedure must be carried out in such a way that a corset is formed over the entire body. A piece of bandage is thrown over each shoulder and fixed to the corset. After applying two layers, the dressing is modeled, then after 3-4 layers the modeling procedure is repeated.
Injury of the radius in the wrist most often occurs as a result of a fall on the outstretched arm. When a wrist joint is broken, gypsum must be worn for bone fusion. If a severe injury with displacement occurred, then it is necessary to put the bone in its original place using the reduction method, then fix the diseased limb with a plaster cast. With a fracture without displacement, the symptoms are not very pronounced, therefore, it is very difficult to determine such an injury without the use of special research methods in a medical institution. It is also necessary to remember how much to wear gypsum for a fracture of the radius.
Consequences of wearing a cast
With improper application of gypsum on a broken arm, side effects and unpleasant symptoms can occur. The main complications include:
- Gypsum compression. Most often, this phenomenon is formed during the immobilization of a limb during a period of acute pain. An inflammatory process occurs, blood circulation is disturbed, soft tissue swelling is formed, an increase in the arm volume occurs, so the damaged area is compressed. In this case, it is necessary to cut the gypsum as soon as possible and free the limb, then apply the plaster cast again. If you do not carry out the appropriate manipulation, you can subsequently lose the familiar functionality of the limb.
- Pressure sores. They are formed with inaccurate, uneven application of a plaster cast or with the formation of tuberosity on its inside. The main symptoms by which this phenomenon can be determined include: the formation of brown spots on the surface of the dressing, a feeling of tightness, a characteristic smell of rot, numbness of the hand and the disappearance of its sensitivity.
- Scuffs and blisters on the skin. With loose laying of gypsum material to the arm, sputum can be felt, accompanied by the formation of bubbles. To prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary to conduct an autopsy of the resulting bubbles.
- Allergy to gypsum material. Dermatitis, itching or redness may form on the patient’s skin - these are characteristic signs of irritation caused by gypsum.
Recovery after plaster removal
After removing the cast, it is necessary to increase the physical load on the arm gradually, following all the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, since excessively difficult actions can lead to negative consequences or repeated injury.
Often, swelling forms on the arm after plaster removal. Since the arm was stationary for a long time, the vessels were squeezed, blood circulation was slow, and after removing the plaster cast, attention should be paid to the state of the limb. Unprepared condition of the arm, expansion of previously constricted blood vessels, increased blood flow, and the resumption of motor activity lead to the formation of swelling. There are many special methods for relieving edema.
An effective method is a physiotherapeutic procedure, which results in a positive effect of the magnetic field on the affected area of the body. Puffiness can also be reduced by electrophoresis with the addition of the necessary medication prescribed by the doctor. Well restores blood circulation and relieves swelling relaxing massage and physiotherapy exercises. Special ointments against puffiness are also able to have a positive effect, in addition, they have an analgesic effect. After removing the bandage, in some cases the patient may experience severe pain, in this case, the doctor will additionally prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain medication, and if necessary, you will have to wear an orthopedic orthosis for some time.
If swelling of any degree is detected, it is better to immediately seek help from a specialist. The doctor will adjust the treatment accordingly and prescribe the necessary therapeutic procedures. Do not self-medicate in such cases, as it can lead to negative consequences.
It is necessary to restore a painful hand gradually, in no case can you sharply increase physical activity. You need to resume movement from the very first day after removing the plaster cast. Physiotherapy exercises should be started by stroking and warming up the limb, making gradual movements, then moving on to compressing solid objects. In this way, the muscles are trained, their former elasticity and functionality are restored.
During the rehabilitation period, it is important to get good nutrition with the use of meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The daily diet enriches the body with the necessary micro and macro elements, vitamins and minerals.
Stroganov Vasily Orthopedic traumatologist with 8 years of experience.
The content of the article
On average, the process of bone fusion takes place in the period up to 25 days. With comminuted fractures, the recovery process takes longer, since the bone is initially drawn out, and after that gypsum is applied.
People of retirement age can wear gypsum for up to three months, because with age, bone repair comes much slower. Various diseases that affect the formation of bone tissue or interfere with the mineral metabolism can affect the period of wearing gypsum. For example, with collagenopathy, the recovery period of damaged bones is increased at least twice.
After how much is the plaster removed?
The patient can remove the gypsum imposed by the therapist at home. However, this can only happen with the direct instructions of the attending physician. He should recommend the patient the exact time of removal of the cast. In addition, the patient, after removal of the cast, must undergo a follow-up examination and, if necessary, carry out rehabilitation procedures. In most cases, they are mandatory if the gypsum has been applied for more than a month. For such a long period, the human muscles manage to atrophy, and it becomes difficult for them to perform their direct functions.
How to remove gypsum at home?
The therapist puts plaster on a fixing bandage. It can be removed in two ways: using soaking or dry. To remove the gypsum using the second method, it is necessary to use scissors or a sharp knife, in some cases - nippers. Scissors or a knife should be cut in the direction from the bottom up from the inside of the gypsum. When removing plaster, safety precautions must be observed. The cuts should be done gradually, without rushing. In no case do you need to make incisions while holding the knife with the sharp side to the body.
After the gypsum is completely cut, the most unpleasant stage occurs - its immediate removal. Plaster sticks to the hair on the limbs. It must be torn off with a sharp movement, since its gradual removal will deliver much more painful sensations.
In the area of the body that was covered with gypsum, hematomas may remain. For the speedy restoration of damaged areas, you should use special ointments that will allow hematomas to resolve faster.
Removing gypsum, after soaking it, is much easier. It must be held for several minutes in warm water, after which it can easily be cut by scissors. In addition, the process of removing it will not be so painful.
