Interface pressures in below elbow casts

Intra-cast pressures were measured in casts worn by patients with Colles' fractures and by volunteers. This study has shown that the loading as determined by the interface pressures in conventional backslab-below elbow casts is low and generally nonspecific. However, moulding the backslab increases the intra-cast pressures and these higher pressures are maintained throughout the period of immobilization as compared with non-moulded casts. There is no evidence of three-point loading in the casts; as a method of applying forces to the fracture site conventional casting does not appear to be particularly effective.