The hinged shoulder spica cast for management after shoulder surgery.

Abstract

A shoulder spica cast is often required after major surgery to the shoulder. This type of cast is usually heavy and awkward. A lightweight fiberglass spica has proven to be useful after repair of the deltoid origin, repair of complete rupture of the rotator cuff, and shoulder arthrodesis. Hinges have been incorporated in the spica at the elbow and shoulder to permit maximum motion appropriate to the surgery. This cast is light and well tolerated. Elbow and shoulder stiffness is reduced by the hinges, which may be fabricated out of stock devices heretofore used in knee orthoses.