PLASTER OF PARIS

contents
1) Historical Background
2) properties of POP
3) Uses of POP / classification
4) Types of Plaster Cast
5) Steps in Application of POP Cast
6) Complications of POP Cast
7) After Care
 History
The name POP is derived from an accident to
a house built on a deposit of Gypsum, near
Paris. The house burnt down. When rain fell
on baked mud of the floors it was noted that
footprints in mud set rock-hard.

Plaster-of-paris bandages were first used by

Matthysen, a Dutch military surgeon in 1952.
Physicochemical properties of POP
The POP bandage consists of a roll of muslin
stiffned by dextrose or starch and
impregnated with the hemihydrate of calcium
sulfate.
When water is added, the calcium sulfate
takes up its water of crystallization:
CaSO4.H2O + 3/2H2O CaSO4.2H2O
 Setting time: time taken to change from
powder form to crystalline form.
Drying time: time taken to change from
crystalline form to anhydrous form.
Average setting time: 3-9 minutes
Average drying time: 24-72 hours
 Uses of POP
1) To support fractured bones, controlling
movement of the fragments and resting the
damaged tissues
2) To stabilise and rest joints in ligamentous injury
3) To support and immobilise joints and limbs post-
operatively until healing has occurred
4) To correct a deformity
5) To ensure rest of infected tissues
6) To make a negative mould of a part of body
 CLASSIFICATION
Slab: POP encloses partial circumference
Cast: POP encloses full circumference
Spica: includes trunk and one or more limbs
Brace: splintage which
can allow motion at adj joints
 Rules guiding POP use
Padding should be adequate esp over bony
prominences e.g. olecranon, ulnar styloid, patella,
fibular head, malleoli, heel
POP shouldnt bee too tight or too loose
The plaster should be of uniform thickness throughout
Moulded with palm and not with fingers to avoid
indentation.
Dip pop vertically in water till air bubble ceases to
come
Check neurovascular status after cast application
Do check xray for acceptability of reduction
 Technique
For slabs
POP slab is applied and moulded onto the limb contours
Moulding is only with palms
Stockinette & padding are rolled over the edge of slab and
crepe bandage is applied from distal to proximal
Slabs may be used alone or to reinforce casts
For cast
POP is applied in distal to proximal with 50% overlap
POP is applied snugly, compressing padding thickness by 50%
The padding is rolled over and the final turns of POP are rolled
over it
 Above Elbow
An above elbow plaster cast or slab is applied from
knuckles of hand (distal palmar crease anteriorly] and
covers lower two thirds of arm
Below Elbow
While distal extent is same as above, proximally the
plaster ends below elbow crease.
Above Knee
Distal extent is up to metatarsophalangeal joints and
proximally it covers lower two thirds of thigh.
Below Knee
Distal extent is same, proximal extent ends below knee.
 complication
Due to tight cast
-pain
-pressure sores
-compartment syndromes
-peripheral nerve injuries
c/o unrelenting pain,stretch pain, swelling over
fingers, inability to move fingers, hypoaesthesia
and bluish discolouration of the digits.
 Due to improper applications
-joint stiffness
-plaster blisters and sores
-breakage

Due to plaster allergy

-allergic dermatitis
 After care of POP
Instructions to be given after applying POP:
1. Come immediately if any of following symptoms
develops:
A) Exessive pain,
B) Exessive swelling,
C) Bluish or white discolouration of fingers or toes
2. Keep the plaster cast dry.
3. Mobilize all the joints which are not incorporated in the
plaster to their full range of motion once plaster
becomes dry.
4. Notice any cracks in the plaster.

5. Graduated weight bearing for lower limb

fractures.

6. Physiotherapy of muscles within the plaster

and joints outside the plaster is necessary to
ensure early rehabilitation
 Removing Plaster Cast
Plaster shears
Electric saw
THANK YOU
 Colditz JC: Plaster of Paris: The Forgotten
Hand Splinting Material. J Hand Ther 2002;
15:144-157
Apleys system of orthopaedics and fractures,
9th Ed, pp 698 700
Pocketbook of orthopaedics and fractures, 2nd
Ed, pp 55 67
Chapmans orthopaedis surgery 3rd edition.