Which cast is used for fracture of the shaft of femur with callus formation?

Which cast is used for fracture of the shaft of femur with callus formation?

• A. Delvit Cast
• B. Quadrilateral/Ischial Weight Bearing Cast
• C. Short Leg Circular Cast
• D. Cylinder Cast

Answer: (B)

When a femoral shaft fracture is healing and callus is forming, you want an immobilization that keeps the fracture well aligned while allowing controlled loading to aid consolidation. The quadrilateral/ischial weight-bearing cast is designed to transfer body weight through the ischial tuberosities, creating a stable, long-lever support that resists bending and rotation at the fracture site. This setup helps maintain alignment during weight bearing and encourages proper callus formation, making it especially suitable for a shaft fracture in the healing stage. Other casts don’t provide the same combination. A short leg cast stops at the thigh and doesn’t control the hip region, risking movement at the fracture. A cylinder or long-leg cast can immobilize the knee but doesn’t specifically channel weight through the pelvis, so it’s less effective at preventing displacement in a healing femoral shaft fracture. The Delvit type is less commonly used for this scenario and doesn’t offer the same targeted weight-bearing stability.

When a femoral shaft fracture is healing and callus is forming, you want an immobilization that keeps the fracture well aligned while allowing controlled loading to aid consolidation. The quadrilateral/ischial weight-bearing cast is designed to transfer body weight through the ischial tuberosities, creating a stable, long-lever support that resists bending and rotation at the fracture site. This setup helps maintain alignment during weight bearing and encourages proper callus formation, making it especially suitable for a shaft fracture in the healing stage.

Other casts don’t provide the same combination. A short leg cast stops at the thigh and doesn’t control the hip region, risking movement at the fracture. A cylinder or long-leg cast can immobilize the knee but doesn’t specifically channel weight through the pelvis, so it’s less effective at preventing displacement in a healing femoral shaft fracture. The Delvit type is less commonly used for this scenario and doesn’t offer the same targeted weight-bearing stability.