In cast, I have learned that it is used to keep a broken bone in place while it heals.

Casts can
also help prevent or reduce muscle contractions and provide immobilization, especially after
surgery. Casts immobilize the joint above and below the area that must remain straight and
motionless. A child with a forearm fracture, for example, will be fitted with a long arm cast to
immobilize the wrist and elbow joints. To line the inside of the cast, plaster (white in color),
fiberglass (available in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs), cotton, and other synthetic
materials are used to make it soft and to provide padding around bony areas such as the wrist
or elbow. Under a fiberglass cast, special waterproof cast liners can be used to allow the child
to get the cast wet. For special cast care instructions for this type of cast, consult with your
child's healthcare provider. The most common orthopaedic tests in laboratory exams are bone
densitometry, skeletal scintigraphy, discography, myelography, and electromyography. The
majority of these tests rely on tried-and-true technology like X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and
computed tomography. Other tests, such as flexibility tests, stress tests, muscle tests, and gait
analysis, may be used to evaluate range of motion or detect abnormalities in skeletal alignment
or muscle function. In some cases, additional tests, such as a muscle biopsy or a bone marrow
biopsy, may be required to help narrow down the diagnosis. Nursing intervention is also
discussed. The first one is that we need to prepare the client for the cast application.  Assist the
health care provider during the application of the cast as needed. After the cast application,
provide cast care. Initiate pain relief measures if indicated. Observe for signs and symptoms of
cast syndrome with clients who are immobilized in large casts, such as a body or hip spica
cast. Provide nursing care for compartment syndrome, if indicated. Observe for signs and
symptoms, then discuss and assist with treatments. Notify the health care provider immediately
if signs or symptoms of other neurovascular complications occur. Notify the health care
provider if "hot spots" occur along the cast; they may indicate infection under the cast. Lastly,
provide client and family teaching. In medical interventions, the injured person should prepare
the injured extremity for splinting. A stockinette is measured and applied to cover the area and
extend about 10 cm beyond each end of the intended splint site. Later, once the padding and
splint material have been applied, the excess stockinette is folded back over the edges of the
splint to form a smooth, padded edge. Care should be taken to ensure that the stockinette is
not too tight and that wrinkling over flexion points and bony prominences is minimized by
smoothing or trimming the stockinette. Generally, a stockinette 2 to 3 inches wide is used for
the upper extremities and a stockinette 4 inches wide for the lower extremities. The final step is
to apply a cast; the principles of casting are similar to those of splinting. The plaster or
fiberglass material is applied after the extremity has been prepared with stockinette and
padding and placed in the desired position. The casting material is wrapped circumferentially,
with each roll covering 50% of the previous layer. Excessive tension on the plaster or fiberglass
should be avoided because it can result in a tight, constrictive cast that can damage the
underlying skin through pressure, neurovascular compromise, or both. A cast that is overly
padded or applied too loosely, on the other hand, can cause significant rubbing, friction, and
skin injuries (e.g., abrasions, friction blisters). The physician should fold back the stockinette
and padding just before applying the final layer of casting material, and then apply the final
layer, molding the cast while the materials are still malleable.