1. CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF FRACTURES
Dr. Muhammad ASIF
Orthopedic Surgeon
Department of Orthopaedics
College of Medicine
King Khalid University Hospital

2. Fracture management Either
The ideal goal of fracture management is anatomical reduction and function restoration compatible with the severity of injury, age, occupation and activity of daily living of injured patient.
Either
Operative
Non operative (Conservative)
Traction
Splint (Cast / Slab)

3. Traction
Traction is the application of a pulling force to a part of the body
Purpose:
to reduce, align, and immobilize fractures;
Unstable and unfixable
When reduction and/or proper length cannot be maintained by static immobilization
to minimize muscle spasm
to prevent or reduce skeletal deformities or muscle contractures.

4. Classification of Traction
Skin Traction : is maintained by direct application of a pulling force on the patient’s skin . Generally temporary measure.
To reduce muscle spasms
To maintain immobilization before surgery
In children
Skeletal Traction : applied to bone by means of a pin or wire surgically inserted into the bone,
providing a strong steady, continuous pull, and
can be used for prolonged periods .

6. Complications of traction
Neurovascular compromise.
Inadequate fracture alignment..
Skin breakdown .
Soft tissue injury
Pin tract infection .
Osteomyelitis can occur with skeletal traction.

7. Complications of traction
complications from immobility especially with long term traction and in elder pt.
Pressure ulcer
Pneumonia
Constipation
Anorexia
Urinary stasis and infection
Venous stasis with DVT

8. General Indications for CAST
1. Most fractures in children: a. Tremendous capacity of remodeling. b. Non union and stiffness is unlikely. 2. Undisplaced fracture 3. Poor bone Quality: Osteoporosis. 4. Unfixable fracture e.g. severe comminuted. 5. Systemic contraindication. 6. Local contraindication. 7. Psychosocial problem.

9. Splint / Cast Principle: Objectives:
To stabilize joint above and joint below the site of injury whenever and wherever is possible
Objectives:
To hold broken bone anatomically to prevent malunion.
To reduce excessive movements to prevent non union.
To get early function

10. How to Preserve Function?
Immobilize only joint necessary,
Range of motion of uninvolved joints.
Isometric exercise.
Physiotherapy after cast removal.
Weight bearing whenever possible in case of lower limb fracture.

11. What are casts made of ? The outside, or hard part of the cast,
two different kinds of casting materials.
Plaster (POP) - white in color.
hemihydrated calcium sulphate.
On adding water it solidifies by an exothermic reaction into hydrated calcium sulphate
fiberglass - variety of colors, patterns, and designs.
inside of the cast
Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and to provide padding around bony areas.

12. Plaster is usually used in the early stages of treatment,
Displaced Fracture that need manipulation
can be molded more precisely.
heavy
must remain dry, water will distort the cast 
Fiberglass
Can be used in Undisplaced Fx if swelling not expected
healing process has already started.
lighter weight, durable, require less maintenance.

13. Different types of casts
Type of Cast/Slab
Location
Uses
Short arm
Applied below the elbow to the hand.
Distal Forearm or wrist Fx. Also used to hold the forearm or wrist muscles and tendons in place after surgery.
Long arm
Applied from the upper arm to the hand.
Distal humerus, elbow, or proximal forearm fractures. Also used to hold the arm or elbow muscles and tendons in place after surgery.
Scaphoid cast/ thumb spica
Below elbow to hand including thumb
Scaphoid Fx, thumb FX
U slab
From shoulder to elbow and then to armpit
Humerus shaft fx

15. Type of Cast / Slab
Location
Uses
Short leg cast:
Applied to the area below the knee to the foot.
Distal T/F Fx,
ankle Fx,
severe ankle sprains/strains.
Long leg cast
From above knee to foot
Proximal T/F Fx,
trauma around knee
Hip spica
From lower chest to one or both feet
Femur fracture in children
PTB cast
From knee to foot
For weight bearing in healing Fx T/F

17. Closed Reduction Method

18. Closed Reduction Method
Adequate analgesia / anaesthesia
Traction – countertraction
Increase the deformity if needed, to reduce / lock on fragments
Correct rotational deformity as well.
Remove any rings from fingers or affected limbs
All acute injuries (<48 hours post injury)
fully padded well molded plaster,
full casts may be splittted.

19. After Closed Reduction and Casting
must have circulation check
Plaster takes 48 hours to become fully dry and harden so take care.
Weekly radiographs for 3 weeks to confirm acceptable reduction.
Can re-manipulate within 3 weeks after injury if displaced.

20. Excellent Reduction with Well Molded Cast

21. Colles’ Fracture Displaced dorsolaterrally Treatment:
Cast +/- surgery, depending on shortening and displacement

22. Scaphoid Bone FX Retrograde blood supply
Total healing time of weeks or more

23. Boxer’s Fracture Classically neck of the fifth metacarpal
bump over the back of palm just below the small finger knuckle
Treatment: casting or surgery (pins)

24. Patellar Fracture Fall onto kneecap or when quadriceps is contracting
Attempt “straight leg raise”
If Extensor mechanism intact / undisplaced Fx Cast / Slab

25. Fracture of 5th Metatarsal
Avulsion Fracture
base of 5th metatarsal from pull of attached tendon;
heal well in cast
Jones Fracture
Transverse fracture through base of 5th metatarsal, about 1-2 cm from tip;
cast for 6-8 wks if undisplaced

26. Fracture of 5th Metatarsal

27. Avulsion Fx

28. Jones’ fracture

29. 30 year old patient

31. Torus Fracture “Buckle fracture” mostly in children; metaphysis
cast for 2-4
weeks

32. Type 1 S/C Fx humerus: non-displaced conservative
Note the non- displaced fracture (Red Arrow)
Note the posterior fat pad (Yellow Arrows)

33. Type 2: Angulated/displaced fracture with intact posterior cortex; close reduction and K-wires fixation

34. Type 3: Complete displacement, with no contact between fragments; close / open reduction and K-Wire fixation

35. UNDISPLACED FRCTURE LATERAL CONDYLE

36. Fracture surgical neck humerus, 10 year old

37. Post Cast instructions
Keep your limb elevated to prevent swelling.
Apply an ice bag to injured area.
Keep the cast clean and dry.
Check for cracks or breaks in the cast.
Rough edges should be padded to protect the skin from scratches.
Do not scratch the skin under the cast by inserting sticks.
Encourage patient to move his/her fingers or toes to promote circulation

38. Contd Prevent small toys or objects from being put inside the cast.
Do not put powders or lotion inside the cast.
Cover the cast while your child is eating to prevent food spills and crumbs from entering the cast.
Do not use the abduction bar on the cast to lift or carry the child.
Use a diaper or sanitary napkin around the genital area to prevent leakage or splashing of urine.

39. How To Know if Something Is Wrong With Your Cast
Pain that is not adequately controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor.
Increasing swelling
Numbness or tingling in the extremity (hand or foot).
Inability to move your fingers or toes beyond the cast.
Circulation problems in your hand or foot.
Loosening, splitting or breaking of the cast.
Unusual odors, sensations, or wounds beneath the cast.
If you develop a fever or generalized illness

40. Complications of cast
Compartment syndrome, tight cast that restricts swelling.
Impaired distal neurovascular.
most serious is deep venous thrombosis leading to pulmonary embolism----calf pain.
Re displacement of fracture.
stiff joints, muscle wasting.
Plaster Sores.
Malunion, Nonunion, Delayed union

41. Cast Burns- can occur during cast removal if blade dull or improper technique used.

42. Fracture distal Radius & ulna

43. Close reduction and casting

44. Fracture Healed

45. Fx distal Radius ulna in a Child

46. After Close reduction and casting

47. One week follow up; Angulated

48. Surgery; close reduction and fixation

49. Healed

50. 21 year old patient

53. THANKS