Casts have been used for thousands of years to protect broken bones. The ancient Indians and Egyptians used wooden splits to treat fractures. The invention of the modern Plaster of Paris cast can be attributed to two military surgeons, Antonius Mathijsen and Nikolai Pirogov. Dr. Pirogov was the first person to use Plaster of Paris casts on a large scale during the Crimean War in the 1850s. Since then, Plaster of Paris has been the material of choice for making casts.
Though Plaster of Paris casts are a cheap and effective way to treat bone fractures, they have certain irritants. They are very hard and bulky; which can be a problem for some, especially for children. Even limited contact with water can ruin them completely. Since they have to be left on for weeks if not months at a time, bathing and other daily activities become very inconvenient, even a change in weather can completely ruin a standard Plaster cast. Moreover, these casts are known to cause skin irritation, itching, rashes and even bacterial infections.
Due to the above mentioned problems, medical researchers have experimented with many different materials that eventually ended up making them waterproof. Since the late 1970s, fiberglass has become increasingly popular as a substitute for Plaster of Paris. Fiberglass is a synthetic material which is made from moldable plastic reinforced by extremely fine glass fibers. Fiberglass casts contains a polyurethane resin which is incorporated into the bandage. The main advantages of fiberglass casts over plaster casts are detailed below:
1. Unlike plaster casts, fiberglass casts are largely water-proof, though the insides have to be protected from water. This minor problem is effectively solved by using waterproof cast liners.
2. They are significantly lighter than plaster casts and come in many attractive colors making them more appealing to children.
3. Unlike plaster casts, which literally have to be cut open with sharp instruments, removing fiberglass casts is extremely easy and convenient.
4. The above mentioned skin problems are virtually absent in modern fiberglass casts as the polyurethane resin allows regular air circulation inside the cast keeping the skin healthy.
With the introduction of waterproof cast liners in the late 1980s, fiberglass models have become completely waterproof. It is now possible to use a waterproof cast to take a bath, enjoy the rains and even take a swim. They are very affordable and easily available. Thanks to the significant advantages over traditional plaster casts, their usage is set to increase exponentially in the coming years.
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