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Wendy Tilley, BScOT
Plastic Surgery Service
University of Alberta Hospital
Let's Get Plastered
Tilley, W
The plaster rooms of the acute care world views plaster of Paris (POP) as a dying product. For immobilization, it has been replaced with a multitude of other products including Delta cast and Quick cast which have significantly improved the convenience to the patient. From a hand therapy perspective, however, the benefits of POP are great. This presentation will explore the properties of this material and its application in treating patients with hand dysfunction. We will describe the indications for using this material for inflamed tissue, scar tissue, the stiff hand, pain, joint contractures and joint mal-alignment. We will briefly review the indications for use, the precautions and the general techniques for applying the POP casts. Case study review will re-enforce the expected outcomes.