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Biomechanical properties of splint materials while curing
Canon Cornelius1, Catherine Ambrose1, Joe Daniels1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Injury
|May 14, 2023
Summary
This study compared plaster and fiberglass splints during curing. Fiberglass splints are stronger and cure faster, but plaster splints offer superior initial stiffness and act as true splints.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
Background:
- Existing research on splint strength focuses on mature splints.
- Limited data exists on splint material properties during the curing process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mechanical properties of different splint materials immediately after activation and during maturation.
- To compare plaster and fiberglass splint performance over time.
Main Methods:
- Splints (plaster and fiberglass) were cured using different water temperatures and tested for weight to ensure homogeneity.
- Mechanical testing involved three-point bending at a constant displacement.
- Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to analyze yield load, ultimate load, stiffness, and angulation at different time points.
Main Results:
- Differences in yield and ultimate loads were observed after three minutes.
- Fiberglass exhibited higher yield and ultimate loads but at significant angulation, suggesting plaster acts as a true splint.
- Plaster showed lower displacement at yield load and higher initial stiffness compared to fiberglass.
- Higher water temperature increased initial splint stiffness at three and six minutes.
Conclusions:
- Fiberglass splints are stronger and cure faster than plaster splints.
- Plaster splints provide superior initial stiffness and function as true splints.
- Material choice depends on clinical needs: fiberglass for maximum strength, plaster for initial stiffness and true splinting.
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