Tips Pasang GIPS: Fraktur Phalanx

Summary

This instructional video guides viewers through the process of applying a cast for a finger fracture. It covers essential steps such as preparing templates for the cast, applying padding, and ensuring proper alignment and fixation. The video highlights key points, including the importance of wrapping the cast correctly, checking the patient's neurovascular status, and maintaining the right angles for the wrist and finger. Additionally, the video promotes Alomedik, an online platform offering medical resources, courses, and discussion forums for medical students. The tutorial is both practical and informative for aspiring doctors.

Takeaways

• 😀 A doctor reviews the process of applying a plaster cast for fractures, focusing on finger fractures in this case.
• 😀 The cast must extend from the fractured finger to the forearm, ensuring that the muscles and tendons of the finger, which are connected to the forearm, are properly supported.
• 😀 A template is created for the cast, similar to a radius fracture cast, but with additional plaster coverage in the area of the finger.
• 😀 The process involves measuring the length from the wrist to the tip of the fractured finger, marking key locations, and creating a guide template.
• 😀 The cast material is cut and shaped to fit the finger and forearm, with special attention to the curved edges around the finger tips and wrist.
• 😀 Padding is applied between the fingers and along the forearm to ensure comfort and proper immobilization.
• 😀 The cast is moistened with cold water—it's important not to squeeze the cast during this process.
• 😀 The speaker mentions the availability of Alomedika, a platform that offers up-to-date medical content, webinars, e-courses, and discussion forums for medical students in Indonesia.
• 😀 The first step in applying the cast is to attach the larger template, followed by the smaller template, ensuring that the two are securely aligned.
• 😀 Once the cast is applied, it is shaped to an angle of approximately 135 degrees for the wrist and 35 degrees for the finger to ensure proper alignment.
• 😀 After applying the cast, it's crucial to check the patient's neurovascular status to ensure proper circulation and nerve function.

Q & A

What is the purpose of applying a cast in this procedure?

The cast is applied to stabilize a fractured finger by securing it from the tip of the finger to the forearm, which is necessary because muscles and tendons in the fingers originate from the forearm.

Why is it important to extend the plaster to the forearm when casting a finger fracture?

It is important to extend the plaster to the forearm because the muscles and tendons that control finger movement are connected to the forearm. This ensures proper immobilization and healing of the fracture.

What is the first step in preparing for a cast application?

The first step is to create a template for the cast, similar to a radius fracture template but with an additional plaster section to cover the area from the wrist to the tip of the affected finger.

How do you create a guide for the cast template?

To create the guide, measure the distance from the wrist to the tip of the affected finger and mark the location at the base of the finger, then cut the template accordingly.

What is the purpose of adding padding between the fingers before applying the cast?

The padding between the fingers is added to protect the skin from direct contact with the plaster, preventing irritation and discomfort during the casting process.

Why is it important to use cold water when soaking the plaster?

Cold water is used to activate the plaster and avoid premature hardening. It is also essential not to wring out the plaster, as it can affect the uniformity and effectiveness of the cast.

What should be done after applying the large and small templates for the cast?

After applying both templates, they should be aligned properly, and the plaster should be smoothed and shaped to ensure an even and secure cast. This is similar to the process used for box fractures.

How should the wrist and finger be positioned during the casting process?

The wrist should be positioned at approximately 135 degrees, while the finger should be positioned at around 35 degrees. This ensures proper alignment and stabilization of the fractured area.

What is a crucial step to perform after the cast has been applied?

After the cast is applied, it is essential to check the patient's neurovascular status to ensure that there are no complications such as impaired blood flow or nerve damage.

What additional resources does Alomedika offer for medical students?

Alomedika offers up-to-date articles, webinars, e-courses, and a discussion forum for medical students, allowing them to learn from real cases and engage with peers.