Why is fiberglass preferred over Plaster of Paris for follow-up assessments?

Answer

Fiberglass is transparent to X-rays

A major clinical advantage of fiberglass casting materials compared to traditional Plaster of Paris is their transparency to diagnostic imaging, particularly X-rays. When a fiberglass cast is applied, clinicians can clearly visualize the underlying fracture site, allowing them to assess bone alignment, monitor the progression of healing, and check for potential complications without interference from the cast material itself. In contrast, the dense, opaque nature of hardened Plaster of Paris significantly obscures X-ray imaging. This means that if a physician needs to check alignment or healing progress in a POP cast, they often must resort to cutting the cast off, re-evaluating the limb, and potentially reapplying a new cast, leading to delays, increased costs, and patient inconvenience.

Why is fiberglass preferred over Plaster of Paris for follow-up assessments?

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