Where to split plaster casts

Plaster casts are often split to accommodate swelling following injury. This is not influenced by the axis of the split. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of plasters split along different axes. Full plasters were applied to mannequin forearms, and then split along dorsal, volar, radial or ulnar sides. Following this the plasters were loaded in a dorsal direction. We found that of all the axes tested, the dorsal split was the best for maintaining fracture reduction (p = 0.001).