The doctor wraps the plaster or fiberglass around the soft first layer. Next, the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water. The doctor putting on the cast will decide whether a fiberglass cast with a waterproof lining is appropriate.įirst, several layers of soft cotton are wrapped around the injured area. You can, however, get a waterproof liner. The covering (fiberglass) on synthetic casts is water-resistant, but the padding underneath is not. Plaster of paris casts are heavier than fiberglass casts and don’t hold up well in water. What are the different kinds of casts?Ī cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers - a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving. Here are answers to some frequent inquiries about casts.
Kids who need a cast often have plenty of questions.
