Do doctors use those old plaster casts anymore?

Question

I fell and broke two bones in my foot and have to go see a orthopedic doctor and I am just wondering if they use plaster casts anymore. The E.R doctor just put on one of those lovely blue shoes for now.

Answer 1

Plaster casts break down if they get wet. Fiberglass itself can get wet, but you don't want soggy cast padding next to your skin. Thus if the padding gets damp you can use a hairdryer through a fiberglass cast.

Patients tend to prefer fiberglass.

Sometimes plaster still works better for an open, short-term splint (commonly used post-op).

Answer 2

no i do not