[Primary definitive cast therapy on the upper and lower extremities. Indications and cost analysis].

BACKGROUND

Soft cast (SC) is a semirigid cast material which opened new possibilities for fracture care in adults and children. The primary definitive cast technique (PDCT) with SC is a new casting method that uses a combination of fiberglass and polyurethane resin. Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities.

METHODS

Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities.

RESULTS

Compared with PDCT, the costs for POPHC were always higher: 138% for upper arm casts, 142% for lower arm and scaphoid casts, 219% for ankle joint casts, 157% for ankle splints, 336% for first-toe bandage/orthesis, and 289% for geisha shoes.

CONCLUSION

The procedure using PDCT with SC can contribute to cost savings and improve patient comfort.