• Question: how do casts help broken bones heel

    Asked by marshmalllow to Andy, Duane, Giovanna, Katie, Theresia on 13 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Theresia Mina

      Theresia Mina answered on 13 Nov 2014:

      My understanding is that the casts do not really help the bone to heel as the bone heels itself. Rather, the cast ensure that whilst the bone is working to heel itself, it is not over-worked which may dampen the recovery process.

    • Photo: Duane Mellor

      Duane Mellor answered on 13 Nov 2014:

      As Theresia’s says it is mainly by immobilising the limb to hold the broken bones in a position that allows the healing bone to be the right shape

    • Photo: Andrew Philp

      Andrew Philp answered on 14 Nov 2014:

      The cast is a hard shell that surrounds the damaged area. So it is really useful as it protects the damaged area whilst it is healing. It helps in this healing process by holding the bone in a fixed state so that it can heal correctly.

    • Photo: Katie Pickering

      Katie Pickering answered on 14 Nov 2014:

      The cast holds the limb in position and prevents any movement or further trauma from preventing the bone from healing back in place.

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