Treating the Broken Bones of Athletes
Athletes who play contact sports usually run the risk of injuring themselves in the heat of the game. When this happens, they need to seek the right kind of medical assistance. In the case of broken bones, players would have to wear orthopaedic casts in order to allow their bodies to heal the damage properly.
Plaster is commonly used to create these casts. A bandage that is impregnated with plaster would be moistened then wrapped around the athlete's damaged limb, setting it into a close-fitting yet easily removable tube. Meanwhile, in the cases when an athlete would need an immobilisation cast, plaster bandages are utilised in constructing an impression of the individual's head and neck. Next, liquid plaster would be used to fill in the impression and create a plaster bust.
The setting or hardening of plaster starts at about 10 minutes after it has been mixed and it is completed in approximately 45 minutes. However, it does not completely dry out until about 72 hours have passed. Once the cast has been applied and set, this would restrict the movements of the athlete so that it would allow his broken bones to heal.
If you have sustained this type of injury while playing your favourite sport, make sure that you will consult with your doctor about the type of plaster cast you should use to ensure the best recovery. It has to be rigid enough so that it would not jeopardise the healing of your bones, yet flexible enough to allow you to move. Furthermore, you may also ask for your doctor's advice about alternative materials used for casts such as fibreglass.
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