Hip spicas control hip position and are used in the management of a number of conditions, e.g. developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The wooden bar between the thighs markedly improves the strength and durability of the cast, but trimming the bar results in wood-shaving contamination in theatre. Instead of this, use a roll of fibreglass casting tape (e.g. Scotchcast™ Casting Tape, 3M, St Paul, MN, USA). The tape is rolled forward and back on itself to the desired length then folded longitudinally in half repeatedly. By continuing to roll more tape around this bar the construct is strengthened and it can be applied to the spica.
Figure 1.
A fibre-glass spica bar.