Re: Traumatic Humeral # Orthotic Management

Charles Barocas,C.O.

Description

Title:

Re: Traumatic Humeral # Orthotic Management

Creator:

Charles Barocas,C.O.

Date:

3/15/2001

Text:

Gord,
Nice to see a CO working in an acute care situation.
Several factors have me worried a bit. Why are you manipulating a fracture
with out a surgeon at hand and without xray on premise? Or do have this
available?
If you have this covered I have some advice on treatment for you..

Have you ever heard of OrthoGlass from Smith & Nephew. It is a
prefabricated fiberglass splint, covered with felt, on a roll. Comes in
2'3'4'5' sizes. It is perfect for forming a positional humeral splint that
can control the humerus. Good ER's in the States have it as well as
Orthopedic offices.

It is just a coincidence that not more that 30 minutes ago I was giving a
class in Orthoglasss at my Casting & Bracing Continuing Education Course
here in Florida.

I can apply an Orthoglass humeral splint in about 3 minutes. While it is
setting I position the fracture. Sometimes a small bolster between the
elbow and the ribs is all I need to correct a deformity. The ace bandage can
be re-rolled when swelling reduction starts

After 17 to 21 days (or fx stabilization) I then can switch the patient to a
custom co-hab orthoisis. If the Fracture needs distraction, I use the
Humeral Fracture System from DJ orthopedics. It takes the place of a
hanging cast and provides a small weight in the forearm to reduce the
fracture. A 15-20 degree deformity is no problem in most cases.

Most (not all) Orthotists here in the states have no clue about acute fx
treatment. I have never seen an Orthopedic Surgeon refer this type of case
to an Orthotist here in the states.
At 21 days maybe, but not from day one. One reason is you don't start
moving bones unless you are an ortho surgeon and have xray available. Even
ER docs don't want to reduce fractures and apply a cast. In my area they
splint and refer.
>
Charles Barocas, C.O., LO
<Email Address Redacted>
727-394-1700 fax-786-513-6136
PO BOX 7440
Seminole, FL 33775
----- Original Message -----
From: Gord Ruder
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 8:40 AM
Subject: [OANDP-L] Traumatic Humeral # Orthotic Management

                          

Citation

Charles Barocas,C.O., “Re: Traumatic Humeral # Orthotic Management,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/216236.