Orthopedic Center
Cast types
Types of casts for the upper extremity
Short arm cast
- Applied below the elbow to the hand
- Used for forearm and wrist fractures
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Also used to hold the forearm or wrist muscles and tendons in place after surgery
- The upper casts (blue) are used for thumb injuries
- The lower casts (pink) are used for finger fractures


Long arm cast
- Applied from the upper arm to the hand
- Used for upper arm, elbow, or forearm fractures
- Also used to hold the arm or elbow muscles and tendons in place after surgery

Arm cylinder cast (not shown)
- Applied from the upper arm to the wrist
- Also used to hold the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a dislocation or surgery
Shoulder spica cast (not shown)
- Applied around the trunk of the body to the shoulder, arm, and hand
- Used for shoulder dislocations, or after surgery on the shoulder area
Types of casts for the lower extremity
Short leg cast
- Applied to the area below the knee down to the foot
- Used for lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains/strains, or fractures
- Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing
- The fracture needs to be stable enough for your child to be able to walk on it safely
- Because they can kick off a short leg cast, children under the age of 5 will usually require a long leg cast

Leg cylinder cast/ long leg cast
- Applied from the upper thigh to the ankle
- Used for knee or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or after surgery on the leg or knee area
- Usually the knee is bent, as shown, to prevent your child from walking on it

Unilateral hip spica cast (also known as single hip spica)
- Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg
- Used for thigh fractures
- Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing
One and one-half spica cast
- Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg, and to the knee on the other leg. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized
- Used for thigh fractures
- Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing
Bilateral long leg hip spica cast (also known as double hip spica)
- Applied from the chest to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized
- Used for pelvis, hip, or thigh fractures
- Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow for healing
Short leg hip spica cast
- Applied from the chest to the thighs or knees
- Used to hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing
Abduction boot cast
- Applied from upper thighs to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the legs and hips immobilized
- Used to hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow time for healing

Clubfoot cast
- Used to treat clubfoot
- Applied from upper thighs to toes
- Usually changed every 5-7 days
