Plaster casts are gold standards for nonoperative methods of treatment of fractures.
Plaster application has been the backbone of all fracture treatments, even if planned for conservative treatment too.
Plaster of Paris had been the common household name in building industry, pottery, cast making and sculpture art.
In orthopedics, it is just like treatment of all, and care for the poor (Fig. 1.1). In the present era of very advance surgical endeavors, it is the choice of every one with its indications very much clear.
All surgical interventions are not successful (Fig. 1.2)
A good plaster is always comfortable and durable too.
Application of plaster on fractured extremities is considered as art, but is certainly a medical aid which in case of an acute injury act as a splint which gives relief to the patient (Figs 1.3 and 1.4).
Figs 1.3 and 1.4: Application of plaster cast on fractured leg is an art: Patient feel comfortable and relief of pain
It is nowadays taken as a good profession too, plaster technicians, orthopedics and working orthopedic surgeons are learning, teaching and earning from this age old art and trusted science.