How long in hip spica

Keywords: DDH, hip spica cast, paediatric femur fracture, closed reduction. Introduction Hip spica casting is a common treatment method for a variety of conditions that requires immobilization of the femur and pelvis 1.

Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective study on consecutive cases of hip spica castings from 1st January until 31st December Open in a separate window. Result Twenty-one children underwent hips spica application during the study period. Table I Number of casts according to underlying conditions. Underlying condition No. Discussions With our method of hip spica application using fibreglass material, we did not record any breakage of the spica during the period of application.

Conclusion This study showed that the three-slab method of hip spica application using fibreglass material was reliable to provide immobilization for the femur and hip joint with low risk of cast breakage or skin complications. References 1. Terjesen T, Halvorsen V. Long-term results after closed reduction of late detected hip dislocation: 60 patients followed up to skeletal maturity.

Acta Orthop. Kumar S. Hip spica application for the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip. J Pediatr Orthop. Connecting bar for hip spica reinforcement: does it help? J Pediatr Orthop B. Adkins L. Cast changes: synthetic versus plaster. Pediatr Nurs. Mechanical assessment of polyurethane impregnated fibreglass bandages for splinting. Prosthet Orthot Int. Berman A, Parks B.

A comparison of the mechanical properties of fiberglass cast materials and their clinical relevance. J Orthop Trauma. Charles MN, Yen D. Properties of a hybrid plaster-fibreglass cast.

Can J Surg. Incidence of skin complications and associated charges in children treated with hip spica casts for femur fractures. Pediatr Orthop.

Support Center Support Center. It may help to use plastic wrap to protect the cast when potty-training children are using the bathroom. What if the cast gets wet? First, prevent another accident by reviewing the diapering method. If the cast gets soaked, it will take a very long time to dry.

You can help speed this process up by using the blow dryer on the cool setting or taking the child out into the sun. Your child's own body heat will also help to dry the cast. Remember, it's important to reposition your child so that different areas have the opportunity to dry. The back of the cast is the most common place to get wet. Your child will need to have sponge baths.

If body odor becomes a problem, you can sprinkle a small amount of deodorant body powder on the cast or spray a small amount of under-arm deodorant on the cast. Do not spray the cast with household cleaners or deodorizers such as Lysol.

Clothes should be loose and comfortable. T-shirts should be sizes larger than usual to fit over the cast. Boxer shorts or sweat pants in a larger size can also fit over the cast. You may also want to cut shorts or sweatpants and sew in Velcro to allow older children to wear their regular clothing.

Breakaway shorts with snaps on each side can be used with casts that have a bar connecting the legs of the cast. Your child may be warmer than usual. Light clothing may be all that's needed. If your child complains of pain, give pain medicine as directed by your doctor. Pain medicine may be needed at night for weeks. Keep your child where the action is. You may want to bring the child's bed to the living room so they can be where everyone is. This will also save you from running back and forth.

Your child will not be able to stand on their injured leg but may be able to stand on the opposite leg. This will allow them to help with getting in and out of bed. A physical therapist can help show you this. Your child may need home instruction for the duration of the casting due to the amount of care needed during that time.

The Orthopedic Nurse Clinician will help arrange this with your school district. The healthcare provider will tell you when your child can return to school. Generally your child should be off of narcotic medication during the day before returning to school.

Weekdays: Please call the Orthopedic Nurse Clinicians at Nights or weekends: Call and ask the operator to page the Orthopedic Resident on call. If your child's surgery is scheduled in advance, you'll have time to arrange transportation ahead of time.

The surgeon is usually able to tell you the approximate size of the cast, that is, how wide it will be, and how much it will bend at the knees. Depending on the width of the abduction of your child's legs, your child may not fit safely into their car seat. The Orthopedic Nurse Clinician can help you figure out what would be best. Sometimes children in spica casts fit in a conventional convertible car seat with lower sides and a wider front especially one that will recline in both rear-facing and forward-facing positions.

It will depend on your child's weight, height and age. What if my child does not fit in their car seat? Please arrange for this as soon as you find out the date of surgery. The Trauma Department attempts to keep these in stock but cannot guarantee a supply.

You will need to come into the Trauma office and sign the agreement for financial responsibility. You will be given guidance on how you can install the seat correctly and resources to have the car seat checked for proper installation in your vehicle. You will need to return the seat to the Trauma office or in the Emergency Department if Trauma is closed at the time of your orthopedic follow-up appointment.

Please do not plan to leave the car seat in the Orthopedic Department. This vest is for children aged 2 to 12 and weighing from 20 to pounds.

Chris Colton. A generous length of tubular bandage is cut to dress the injured leg and a larger diameter tube for the torso. Sewing the two parts of the tubular bandage together prevents separation of the bandages as the child is moved. The back support for the spica box is placed inside the torso tubular bandage, directly against the skin of the child's back. The anesthetized child is transferred onto the hip spica box. It should be ensured that enough people are available to help positioning and stability.

The shoulders should be supported by the spica box leaving almost the entire torso free for casting. Pitfall: Avoid inadvertent extubation during transfer and casting. Discuss airway management with the anesthetist beforehand. For the larger child, a reclining wheelchair with elevated leg rests may also be used.

Always use proper methods of positioning as previously discussed in this booklet. Remember to use proper safety measures at all times side rails, seat belts, and safety straps as appropriate for age and size. Please consult the nurse in charge of your child's care for assistance with rental of a hip spica car seat or hip spica vest restraint for safety in automobile transportation. Also remember to return the car sear or vest restraint at your next appointment.

Home » Health Topics. Hip spica cast: A guide for patients. Contents Introduction Before surgery After surgery Care of the hip spica cast Positioning and turning Transporting Telephone numbers Helpful suggestions Introduction Taking care of a child in a hip spica cast can be a difficult experience for you and your child. Before surgery Work-up day You will be scheduled to bring your child to the Orthopedic Clinic for an examination sometime prior the scheduled surgery.

Morning of surgery You should report to the anesthesia pre-op area at the designated time. After surgery The hip spica cast will be applied in the operating room after surgery is completed and while your child is still asleep.

Things you can expect: Your child will be lying on pillows in the hip spica cast. Smaller children will be propped sitting upright, which allows for optimal positioning of the hips down into the cast. Your child will have an IV intravenous line that was started in the operating room. The IV will be continued until the child is able to take an adequate amount of fluids and is eating solids. Please ask your nurse before giving your child anything to eat or drink.

The nurses will be measuring how much your child drinks and the amount of urinary output. Your child may experience pain or muscle spasms. The nurse will give pain medication via the lV or by mouth. Pain medication will be started as soon as possible and given as often as needed. It is important that you, and if possible your child, take an active role in assessing and reporting pain to the nurse so that effective measures can be taken. Your child may be nauseated or may vomit.

Medications will be available to control this if the problem persists. The nurse will be monitoring your child's vital signs frequently and checking the child's toes for color, movement, sensation, and warmth. Toes should remain warm and pink with good blood return. Your child may have some drainage coming through the cast. This is normal and the nurses will be monitoring increases. This is normal due to the close proximity of some surgical incisions to the genital area.

Ice and elevation may reduce the swelling and discomfort that may accompany it. X-rays may be taken while your child is in Post Anesthesia Care Unit or after returning to the hospital room. Care of the hip spica cast Keep the cast clean and dry Cast care and skin care are closely linked.

Remember: A cast that feels dry on the outside is not necessarily dry on the inside. Cleaning the cast If the cast becomes soiled from stool, it may be cleaned by using a damp cloth and a small amount of cleanser. Drying the cast If the cast becomes damp, it can be dried by exposing it to air during the child's nap time. Bathing Give your child a sponge bath daily. Skin and cast inspection Check carefully beneath the cast edges morning and evening for skin irritation, redness, blistering, open or draining areas, or pressure spots.