Orthopedic Center

Types of casts for the upper extremity

Short arm cast

• Applied below the elbow to the hand
• Used for forearm and wrist fractures
• 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

More information

Cast care and maintenance

Cast application and removal

Caring for your cast