Plaster of Paris Bandage

A Plaster of Paris (POP) bandage is a medical tool used to create a hard cast that immobilizes and supports broken or injured bones. The bandage consists of a cotton gauze strip coated with a fine, powdered form of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, also known as Plaster of Paris.

Common uses

• Fracture management: To provide firm and stable support that keeps a fractured bone in proper alignment as it heals.
• Postoperative support: To stabilize a surgical site after an orthopedic procedure.
• Joint immobilization: To restrict movement in a sprained, dislocated, or otherwise injured joint.
• Emergency splinting: Used as a quick, temporary splint to stabilize an injury before more definitive treatment.

Advantages

• Affordable: POP bandages are significantly less expensive than fiberglass alternatives.
• Easy to mold: The material is pliable when wet, allowing it to conform precisely to the body’s contours for a better fit.
• Radiolucent: Plaster of Paris does not interfere with X-ray imaging, allowing doctors to monitor the healing process without removing the cast.
• Easy to remove: If a cast saw is not available, a POP cast can be removed by soaking it in water and unrolling it.