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What is Hand Plaster? - Hand Fracture Plaster Real Pics

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Hexahealth Care Team, last updated on 23 October 2023| min read
What is Hand Plaster? - Hand Fracture Plaster Real Pics

Quick Summary

  • Hand plaster is a medical device used to treat hand fractures. It is available in various sizes to fit any injury to the shoulder, arms, elbow, wrist, thumb, and fingers.
  • Hand plaster is made of a durable adhesive that ensures that the injured or broken bone stays in place during use. It also helps to protect the wound from infection.
  • Patients with hand plaster should be careful not to get the cast wet and should avoid strenuous activity.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had a broken arm or fracture in your hand? Hand plaster is the perfect solution for the treatment of such injuries. A hand plaster cast is an orthopaedic device that supports and immobilizes hand fractures.  

Hand plaster is available in various sizes to fit any injury to the shoulder, arms, elbow, wrist, thumb, and fingers. Its durable adhesive ensures that the injured or broken bone stays in place during its use. With hand plaster, you can rest assured that your wound will heal quickly and comfortably while staying protected from infection. 

Keep reading this article to learn about the various types of hand fracture plaster, how it is made, its benefits, and safety tips for patients with hand plaster.

What is a Hand Plaster?

Hand plaster is a device applied to help heal an injured or broken arm, wrist, elbow, thumb, or fingers. It consists of a complex, moulded shell made from Plaster of Paris (POP), that covers the injured area and helps keep it immobile for proper healing. 

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Types of Hand Plaster Cast

  1. Long Arm Plaster: A long arm cast immobilizes the forearm, elbow, and sometimes shoulder. This cast extends from below the armpit to the palm of the hand, leaving the fingers and thumbs free. 
  2. Short Arm Plaster (below-elbow cast): It immobilizes the forearms and the wrist. It reaches from the elbow to the palm. It is ideal for immobilizing and protecting against some local fractures and soft tissue injuries.
  3. Half-Hand Plaster (Splint): A half-hand plaster cast provides support and stability for the wrist, hand, and fingers. This cast covers just half of the patient’s hand, leaving the palm open so they can use their fingers more easily while wearing it. The half-hand plaster cast is commonly used to treat fractures in the forearm or wrist.
  4. Thumb Spica Plaster: A thumb spica plaster cast is used to immobilize and protect the thumb and adjacent structures. It extends from the wrist up to just below the axilla, allowing the patient’s hand and fingers to be free while their thumb remains stable. 
  5. Finger Plaster: A finger plaster cast is used to immobilize and protect a fractured or broken finger. It only covers the affected finger, allowing the patient's hand to move as needed. This cast is also often used for chronic conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and the trigger finger.

Following your doctor’s instructions for proper cast care is essential to ensure that it stays clean and dry and to keep the affected area stable and free of infection. 

What are Different Types of Hand Fractures that Require Hand Plaster?

There are different types of hand fractures that may require a plaster cast. These include:

  1. Metacarpal Fractures: These occur in the long bones of the hand and can be caused by a direct blow or fall onto the hand. Symptoms of a metacarpal fracture include pain, swelling, and bruising in the affected hand. 
  2. Phalanx Fractures: These occur in the bones of the fingers and can be caused by a direct blow, fall, or crush injury. Phalanx fractures can also occur in the middle (middle) or proximal (base) phalanges.
  3. Scaphoid Fractures: These occur in the wrist's small bones (scaphoid bone) and are often caused by falling onto an outstretched hand. Scaphoid fracture symptoms include pain and tenderness in the wrist, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected hand or fingers. 
  4. Triquetral Fractures: A triquetral fracture occurs in one of the three bones of that triangular shape at the base of the thumb and is often caused by falls or direct trauma to the area.

Symptoms include pain and swelling at the base of the thumb. A triquetral fracture can also cause numbness and weakness in the hand and fingers. 

To know more about Fractures in detail, do visit: https://www.hexahealth.com/condition/fracture

Benefits of Hand Fracture Plaster

Hand plaster is an effective and efficient way to treat a hand fracture. Here are five benefits of using hand plaster for fractures:

  1. Hand plaster prevents further injury by immobilizing the affected area.
  2. It accelerates the healing process by protecting the wound from infection.
  3. Hand plaster relieves pain and discomfort caused by the fracture.
  4. It restores the function of the affected hand by supporting it during healing.
  5. Hand plaster is a cost-effective treatment option for hand fractures.

How is Hand Plaster Made?

Hand plasters are made using a combination of Plaster of Paris (gypsum), a mineral found in abundance worldwide, and water. 

  1. The two ingredients are mixed until a thick paste is formed and applied to the affected area. 
  2. As it dries, the plaster hardens and creates an airtight seal over the wound, protecting it from dirt and bacteria while allowing it to heal.

When using a hand plaster for medical purposes, it’s essential to use sterile equipment and clean the affected area thoroughly before application. 

It’s also important to ensure that the plaster is of the right thickness for the wound—too thin, and it won’t provide enough protection; too thick, and it can be difficult to remove. 

How is Hand Plaster Applied for Fracture in Hand?

When a hand plaster is applied for a fracture:

  1. The doctor or nurse will first clean the area around the wound. 
  2. They will then put on a glove and apply an antiseptic to the area. 
  3. Once the antiseptic has been applied, they will place a piece of gauze over the wound.
  4. After the gauze has been placed over the wound, they will take a roll of plaster and cut off a piece long enough to go around the entire circumference of the gauze. 
  5. They will then remove the glove and wet the plaster in some water. 
  6. Once the plaster is wet, they will place it over the gauze and smooth it to even out the air bubbles.
  7. After the plaster has been smoothed out, they wrap an elastic bandage around it to keep it in place. The bandage should be tight enough so that it does not come off but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.

Safety Tips for a Patient with Hand Plaster

When it comes to hand plaster, safety is always a top priority. Here are five essential safety tips to consider while you have hand plaster:

  1. Keep your plaster dry and clean: Plaster can become brittle and crack if it gets wet, so keeping it as dry as possible is essential. 
  2. Be careful with heat and cold exposure: Avoid exposing your plaster-covered hand to extreme temperatures, as this could cause the plaster to break or crack.
  3. Don't put any pressure on the plaster: Avoid using your plaster-covered hand for activities that could strain the area, such as carrying heavy objects or opening doors.
  4. Don't remove the plaster by yourself: Only a medical professional should remove hand plaster, as they will know how to do so without causing further injury.
  5. Follow up with your doctor: Once your hand plaster is removed, be sure to follow up with your doctor for an evaluation of your healing progress.

Takeaway

Hand plaster is a medical bandage that is used to support and immobilize the hand following an injury. It is usually made with cotton or linen fabric that is further coated with Plaster of Paris. A hand plaster is applied by wetting the fabric and wrapping it around the injured area. Once the plaster has dried, it gets hardened and provides support to the fractured hand while it heals.

Hand plasters are crucial for treating fractures and maintaining your bone health. That’s why you need to find the right specialist to cater to your concerns. HexaHealth is your one-stop destination for finding all health-related solutions. Whether it is an injury or a long-lasting ailment. HexaHealth experts will help you find the right course of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plaster is used to immobilize a fracture, meaning it prevents the bone from moving so that it can heal properly.

 

Hand plaster is a type of orthopaedic cast used to immobilize and support the bones and joints in the hand.

Plaster may be necessary in order to immobilize the affected area and promote healing. However, in other cases, alternative treatments such as casts or braces may be more effective. Ultimately, it is best to consult a medical professional to determine the best treatment for your situation.

To apply hand plaster for fractures, 

  1. First, clean and dry the skin where the plaster will be applied. 
  2. Next, cut the plaster to the desired size and shape. 
  3. Then peel off one side of the paper backing. 
  4. Apply the sticky side of the plaster to the skin, then smooth it down. 
  5. Finally, remove the other side of the paper backing and press down on any areas that seem like they are not sticking well.

Yes, a fracture can heal without plaster. However, depending on the severity of the fracture, it may require immobilization in order to heal properly.

You should always get your hand plaster removed by a trained professional. 

If you have a plaster on your hand, you can sleep by keeping your arm elevated above your heart. This will help to reduce swelling and pain. You can sleep by keeping a pillow under your arm for elevation.

You should not remove a plaster cast at home. Plaster casts are applied by trained medical professionals and should only be removed by them.

Plaster can be used for various purposes, including reducing swelling. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that plaster is effective in reducing swelling.

A plaster cast is used to immobilize a broken bone or joint. It is applied directly to the skin and then wrapped in gauze or an ace bandage.

No, X-rays cannot be done with plaster. Plaster of Paris is a type of material that blocks high-energy radiation (X-rays) from passing through it, making it impossible to use for X-ray imaging. Additionally, plaster casts can interfere with the accuracy of the results by obscuring or distorting the underlying anatomy. 

Yes, doctors still use plaster casts. Plaster is a type of material that is easy to mould and shape, so it is ideal for creating a cast. Plaster casts are typically used to support broken bones as they heal.

If a fracture is healing, the broken bone will gradually start to come back together. There may be some pain and swelling around the injury, but it should gradually improve.

A cast can be removed after 4 weeks, but it depends on the reason why the cast was put on in the first place.

 

When you are lying down, there is less gravity pulling on the broken bone, which can increase the pain. Additionally, blood flow to the area can increase at night and cause inflammation and swelling around the fracture site. Finally, your body may produce more stress hormones during nighttime hours, which can also contribute to increased pain levels.

If you have a broken bone in your hand, you will need to see a doctor or visit the emergency room. The doctor will put your hand in a splint or cast and may give you pain medication.

The 5 stages of fracture healing are:

  1. Inflammatory phase
  2. The soft callus formation phase
  3. The hard callus formation phase
  4. Bone remodeling phase
  5. Maturation and healing phase

The best medicine for a bone fracture will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the injury. However, some commonly used treatments for bone fractures include pain medication, immobilization (such as with a cast), and physical therapy.

There is no specific food that is best for bone fracture. However, a diet that includes plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures.

Yes, the bone does grow back after a fracture. However, the process of bone regeneration can take several months

Last Updated on: 23 October 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

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HexaHealth Care Team brings you medical content covering many important conditions, procedures falling under different medical specialities. The content published is thoroughly reviewed by our panel of qualified doctors for its accuracy and relevance.

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