J Nurs Acad Soc.  1994 Dec;24(4):517-528.

A Study of the Effects of Casting on Lower Limbs: Comparison of Casted and Noncasted Limb

• Choe MA
• Park MJ
• Chae YR

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the circumference, skinfold thickness and strength of the normal and casted lower limb prior to casting and following removal of the cast. The subjects for the study were nine orthopedic patients who had had long and short leg casts due to a tibial, fibula, or calcaneus fracture, or to a lateral collateral ligament rupture. Circumference, skinfold thickness, and strength of the normal and casted lower limb following removal of the cast were compared with those prior to the application of the cast. Measurements were made before cast application and after removal of the cast. Skinfold thickness was measured by fat caliper, circumference was measured by tape and strength was determined by measuring the length of time the leg was held elevated at 45. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. There was no change in the normal limb in the circumference of the midthigh and midcalf after casting as compared to before cast application. 2. In the casted limb the circumference of the midthigh decreased by 3.23% and that of the midcalf decreased significantly by 7.49% during the period of casting. 3. In the normal limb skinfold thickness of the quadriceps decreased and that of gastrocnemius increased by 20.63% during the period of cast application. 4. In the casted limb skinfold thickness of the quadriceps decreased significantly by 12.37% and that of gastrocnemius decreased by 10% during the period of cast application. 5. Strength of the normal lower extremity decreased significantly by 48.37% and that of casted lower extremity decreased remarkably by 73.07% during the period of cast application. 6. Circumference of the midthigh and the midcalf decreased significantly by 7.6% and 9.4% respectively on the casted side as compared to the normal side. Skinfold thickness of the quadriceps and the gastrocnemius on the casted side decreased by 6.12% and 18.55% respectively as compared to the normal side and strength in the lower extremity on the casted side decreased significantly by 44.32% as compared to the normal side. From these results, it may be concluded that muscle atrophy occurs in the casted lower limb and muscle strength of the normal lower limb are also reduced during the period of application of a leg cast.

MeSH Terms

Calcaneus
Extremities*
Fibula
Humans
Lateral Ligament, Ankle
Leg
Lower Extremity*
Muscle Strength
Muscular Atrophy
Orthopedics
Rupture
Skinfold Thickness