BODYCAST - THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CSOT

EVALUATING THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS WIDTHS OF SYNTHETIC CASTING TYPES…IS BIGGER BETTER?
By Steven W. Cutler, BS, OTC, Orthopaedic Technician, Lancaster, PA, and David L. Witmer, BFA, MS, Research Coordinator, Penn State University

Abstract

Background:
Four primary widths of synthetic casting tapes are available to the orthopaedic practitioner for use in constructing casts. These tapes range in widths from two-inch to five-inch, and have a standardized running length of four yards. Casts produced with these tapes are strong, light, water-resistant, and allow early weight-bearing and are therefore very attractive for both patient and practitioner (Berman & Parks, 1990; Callahan, Carney, Daddario, & Walter, 1986; Mihalko, Beaudoin, & Krause, 1989; Martin, Weimann, Orr & Bahrarni, 1988; Dotson, Ly, O’Neil & Kiebzak, 1997). However, the indiscriminate use of these tapes can add considerably to a clinic's budget (Marshall, Dibble, Walters & Lewis, 1992).

To date, little information is available that addresses the cost-effectiveness of the various tape widths and their potential use in the clinical setting. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the four primary widths of casting tape by developing and comparing an accurate cost and strength analysis of each.

This abstract is a portion of the article which appears in the Winter 2004 issue of BodyCast.  
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