The hand in a plaster pains and flows: what to do or make?

Fracture or dislocation of the hand is a big nuisance. Not only that, severe pain will be felt not only at the time of injury, but also during the whole time before applying the gypsum and some time after, so also the mobility of the limb will be lost for quite a long time.

What does the cast consist of?

By itself, gypsum is a natural natural mineral. Since it is impossible to use it in its pure form, a fine powder is made from it, which is then calcined to completely dry, since the remaining moisture can promote back solidification.

How do I impose a plaster bandage?

On the injured limb, pre-cast gypsum bandages made by industrial methods are most often applied. But sometimes you have to do them directly before using the method of rubbing gypsum powder in traditional medical gauze bandages. This is a very labor-intensive process, therefore, whenever possible, try to avoid it.

For gypsum bandage application gypsum bandages are used. First, such a bandage is placed in a container with warm water so that it is completely covered with water. When air bubbles disappear on the surface, it means that the bandage can be removed. In doing so, keep it horizontally and for both ends, otherwise the gypsum will drain into the water.

A ready bandage is applied to the required areas and fixed. Soon the solution hardens to the stone state and reliably immobilizes the injured limb. Overlay can be made both uncoated and underlayment.

In the first case, cotton buds protect only the places where the bones protrude; in the second, the cotton pad between the elastic( bottom) and the usual( top) bandage covers the entire gypsum area. This is a more preferable option, since it is easier to observe the dryness of the skin and avoid the occurrence of pressure sores.

In addition, often apply longi - bandages from several layers of soaked gypsum bandage. Longets can be fixed with a regular bandage, rolling it in circular motions. In this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor how the gypsum is applied, so that the dressings completely repeat the contours of the limb, and also, so that no folds are formed. Otherwise, you will very quickly change the bandage to a new one because of irritations and severe pain.

For how long is the cast applied?

The question arises as to how much a plaster is worn for a fractured arm? The duration of wearing gypsum depends on the severity of the injury, but the average period of adhesion is from 3 to 10 weeks. The fingers are most likely to part with the plaster, the longest time is to wear it on your forearm. In the case of severe fractures of the fragment type, the doctor may leave the plaster for up to 3-4 months.

The removal of gypsum can also be delayed if the patient has problems with the restoration of damaged tissues and bones. Most often this is due to the fact that the hands are most difficult to keep in complete rest( for example, if a plaster cast on the finger is applied), whereas this is what all fractures require. Perhaps, the body lacks the necessary substances for faster healing, then additionally prescribe medicines, vitamins and minerals that contribute to this.

Even in spite of the plaster cast, it is impossible to move a limb, but often it happens involuntarily, because it is impossible to control reflex movements for a long time. After the gypsum is removed, the patient is still waiting for a long period of rehabilitation, on average takes about six months. How to remove gypsum, as well as other information related to this issue, is contained below.

Complications while wearing gypsum

For quick healing of damaged limbs, plaster bandages are used. After applying gypsum, there are often unpleasant moments that need to be carefully monitored and not run to prevent the development of more serious problems.

1. Puffiness. In itself, edema in fractures is a common thing, and it will not go away right away, especially if one considers that the gypsum still squeezes the limb, fixing it. If the dressing is applied correctly, within a few days, a maximum of two weeks, the swelling will subside, and soreness will decrease.

Immediately visit a doctor if:

• the damaged arm in gypsum becomes cold;
• fingers get a cyanotic, pale or red shade;
• sore arm in plaster, with the pain becoming acute or worse;
• appears numbness of the limb, its sensitivity decreases;

These symptoms are characteristic of the transmitted vessels and nerves, which happens due to severe swelling of the tissues. Violation of blood circulation leads to severe consequences until necrosis and amputation. Therefore, it is necessary to remove gypsum urgently. You can call an ambulance or visit a trauma center. An alarm signal is also a symptom if the arm is numb under the plaster.

Means against puffiness

To reduce swelling more rapidly, both medicines and traditional medicine are used:

• heparin ointment and "Troxevasin" gel;
• is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, most commonly based on ibuprofen. If the hand in the plaster is swelling, a good effect is given by such drugs as "Nimesil", "Naiz", "Mig", "Ibuklin" and ibuprofen itself. Use these funds can be even pregnant and lactating women, of course, following the necessary precautions;
• compresses based on wormwood, marigold, juniper, golden mustache, cornflower;
• baths with coniferous extract, iodized ordinary or sea salt;
• infusions of aloe, calendula, chamomile and other herbs that help reduce inflammation. Are accepted inside. The main thing - do not take simultaneously with medicines;
• blue clay has proven itself as a remedy effectively removing edema;
• infusions of aloe, calendula, chamomile and other herbs that help reduce inflammation. Are accepted inside. The main thing - do not take with medicines at the same time.

Massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy also help to reduce puffiness as soon as possible. It can be electrophoresis with anesthetics, stimulation by an electric current, ultraviolet, various applications, including mud.

As the edema decreases, the gypsum dressings usually change to prevent excessive freedom of the limbs.

2. Bedsores. These are also places with impaired blood circulation, most often occur where the gypsum is too tightly attached to the skin without a lining, on the protuberances of the bones. A bedsore can provoke crumbs of gypsum, creases or lumps of bandage and cotton wool, used as a lining. After a while, the wound begins to fester, flowing onto the gypsum with brown spots, from which an unpleasant odor emanates. In this case, the place of suppuration is washed with an antiseptic, for example chlorhexidine, treated with wound healing ointments, such as levomecol, Vishnevsky ointment, and bandaged with a sterile dressing. Treatment is performed regularly until complete healing.

3. Damage, blisters, dermatitis and eczema are also possible when the hand in the plaster is for a long time. Appear either as a result of allergic reactions, or due to the displacement and friction of the dressings over the skin. The treatment is similar to that used to get rid of pressure sores, only in addition anti-allergic drugs are used, both locally and inward. The doctor should prescribe them on the basis of a picture of the complication. The range of such drugs is huge, so do not self-medicate. In the best case, it just does not help.

4. Very often under the plaster bandage, causes severe itching. What should I do if my hand scratched under a cast? Many people in such cases try to slip a knitting needle, a pencil, wire and the like. Doctors warn that it is worth doing only in extreme cases, when it is no longer possible to endure.

First, you can damage the skin, which is already getting it. Secondly, the lining put under the gypsum, from such actions is knocked down, lumps and creases appear on it, which lead to the problems described above.

Itching appears from the fact that the skin under the gypsum sweats, the cells die, there is peeling. Proceeding from this, it is recommended, if possible, to maintain physical rest, avoid exposure to the sun and in hot rooms.

You can try to pour talc or baby powder under the bandage. After the moisture is gone, the itching will be easier. However, then remove the powder will be problematic, will have to wait for the next change of gypsum. A good result is a jet of cool air from the dryer, while cooling and drying the itching areas.

Antihistamines are well used, which are used from insect bites. It is desirable to drink them at night, since many have a pronounced hypnotic effect, and at night, as is known, all unpleasant sensations intensify, that is, they become even more difficult to bear.

Disadvantages of ordinary gypsum

Gypsum in the fracture of the hand contributes to the early fusion of the limb.

The most common natural gypsum perfectly fixes and easily overlaps, but has its drawbacks:

• it is bulky and uncomfortable;
• severely limits mobility and mobility;
• quickly becomes soiled, so that the hand in the cast looks very unaesthetic;
• it must be protected from moisture, because of this it is very inconvenient to wash, especially when the hand is plastered;
• clothes to pick up is quite difficult, because the limb becomes much thicker due to the superimposed bandage;
• to make an x-ray to control the healing, you will have to remove the bandage, and then apply a new one, since the rays do not pass through it.

Types of gypsum

It is replaced by new types of materials:

1. Scotchkast is a polymeric immobilizing bandage with a high degree of rigidity. It is very light, but at the same time it perfectly fixes the fracture, lets the air in, which means it allows the skin to breathe. In addition, this material is waterproof and dries quickly. However, it is still undesirable to wet it, since a cotton-gauze pad, which dries badly, is usually put under it, it can become a source of irritation and unpleasant odor.
2. Zellacast is a fiberglass bandage impregnated with a fast hardening polyurethane resin. Has the same advantages and disadvantages as the Scotch, and also allows you to do X-rays without removing the bandage and without disturbing the place of injury once again. It refers to semi-rigid immobilizers, which avoids partial muscle atrophy. But on complex fractures such gypsum is not imposed precisely because of its partial mobility.
3. NM-cast is similar to a large-mesh stocking, when dried, it adheres perfectly to the skin and repeats the shape of the limb. Easy to use and wear, often used to fix hands. It also uses a special lining, but since the cells of such a lock are large, and the lining is made of synthetic quick-drying materials, it becomes easier to take a shower.
4. Turbocast - thermoplastic orthosis. The most optimal type of device for treating injured limbs.

Pros and Cons of Turbokast

If there is a choice, doctors advise applying plastic gypsum. It appeared quite recently, but it was so convenient and easy to use that it was used very quickly all over the world. How to use plastic gypsum on hand, the price, as well as its properties are detailed below.

1. Turbocast is a solid material, which will not be broken off small pieces, irritating the skin under the bandage. It does not require a gasket, therefore, the appearance of the wax is eliminated.
2. Such a gypsum is very light, which is important for maintaining an active lifestyle, especially for children.
3. Because the plastic is water resistant and does not have a lining, washing is no longer a problem, which it always is when wearing ordinary gypsum. In addition, the turbo-box itself retains a neat and presentable appearance for a very long time.
4. Breathability is a very important factor. The more air, the faster the process of adhesion, the skin under the bandage does not get wet, there are no intertrigo and irritation.
5. To impose such a gypsum, it is enough to heat it all up to 400C, and it will become plastic, adjusting to the parameters of the patient. After reheating, it returns the original shape, so the turbo-ball is a reusable tool.
6. Rehabilitation after removal is much faster, and the risk of complications and the emergence of allergies is minimized.

However, there are small cons:

1. How much does it cost to impose a plastic plaster on your hand? The price for it starts from about 500 rubles, and this is only the material itself, besides one thing may not be enough. For the procedure of imposing it will be necessary to give an average of 7-9 thousand rubles.
2. As the procedure is still quite new, it has not been mastered yet in all clinics, even paid ones, therefore it will probably not be possible to find a specialist immediately.
3. It will not be possible to remove or cut such material at home, as it only lends itself to a special file that the medical staff uses to cut plastic gypsum.

Rehabilitation

When and how to remove gypsum, as well as what recommendations should be followed after this, read below. After removing the gypsum, it will take some time to recover. At many during this period there is a numbness of a hand which has been plastered. Most often this is a temporary phenomenon, which will take place during the week, if you are engaged in physical therapy, apply manual therapy and develop a limb.

It is necessary to eat properly, paying special attention to sufficient intake of B vitamins, in particular B12, another name - cyanocobalamin, or cobalamin. It promotes the rapid regeneration of tissues, nerve fibers and organs, supporting them in a full state.

Vitamins in products

The following products are rich in this vitamin:

• liver of beef, chicken and pork;
• kidney beef;
• seafood;
• fatty species of marine and oceanic fish;
• lamb;
• eggs;
• turkey breast;
• dairy, sour-milk products and cheeses. They also contain calcium, which is necessary for strengthening bone tissue;
• soy;
• spinach;
• green onion;
• sea kale;
• sprouts of wheat.

It should be noted that the content of B12 in plant products is very low, so you can take such additives as, for example, brewer's yeast.

If the numbness does not go away, you should consult your doctor for damage to the nerves or blood vessels. In time, the prescribed treatment, as a rule, gives good results, but discomfort can remain forever, especially clearly manifested in stress, diseases and a sharp change of weather.