Functional Braces
The principle of these is that a well fitting plaster cast is applied
and the patient uses the extremity ie walks on a the cast.
Muscle action and the intermittent axial compression stimulates bony union.
Femoral Cast Braces Cast braces enjoyed a considerable vogue during the 1970s for the
management of femoral fractures and fractures of the tibial plateau.
After preliminary treatment by traction, the cast brace is applied when
the fracture is "stable and firm."
In essence, a long-leg cast is applied
over a long "Stockinette" stocking, with the upper end molded to the shape of a
quadrilateral socket, or a plastic socket is incorporated in the cast.
Another name for the femoral brace is a "Box Plaster"
A full leg cast is applied and molded in a right angled "box" form to prevent rotation.
It bears weight on the ischial region. Box plasters are only suitable from the
mid femoral shaft downwards. A hinge may be worked into the plaster and the knee left free.
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Cast Brace
Well molded into ischial region - rubber walking heel |
All functional braces need the fracture to be stable ie partially united. It is not a suitable method for
the fresh fracture.
The Patellar Tendon Bearing Cast
At Tygerberg hospital tibial fractures are initially treated for about 6 weeks in a full length POP
then Patellar Tendon Cast (PTB) is applied. The PTB is not suitable for proximal tibial fractures, but is a good
conservative method of treating stable tibial fractures from the middle third downwards.
The principle of tibial PTB casting is the same as for the femoral cast brace.
A well fitting below knee cast is applied and molded between the gastrocnemius heads.
The actual weight is born on the patellar tendon region anteriorly. A rubber heel is
applied and the patient is encouraged to weight-bear on the plaster.
Technique of PTB casts
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A PTB Cast
Well molded between the gastroc. heads -
bears weight on the patellar area |
Patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) casts were devised by Sarmiento to
immobilize fractures of the tibial shaft and at the same time allow the knee
to bend. This type of cast must be applied with care over minimal padding
and is applied in segments. In applying the upper portion of the cast,
the knee should be flexed to a right angle and the cast molded flat over the
upper calf to give a triangular cross section. The cast is molded anteriorly
around the patella, and an indentation is made over the patellar tendon.
The cast is trimmed to look like a PTB prosthesis, and it is most important
to trim the cast like a wingback chair around the femoral condyles to prevent
rotation of the proximal tibia on weight bearing
Consider using a PTB plaster,
especially if a tibial fracture is taking longer than expected to unite.
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