The wedging of casts to correct angulatory deformities of longbone fractures is a well-established technique. Traditionally, cork and wooden wedges have been utilised; however, these materials frequently fragment or compress. We have found that fibreglass wedges are a more robust and cost-effective solution that is readily available in the plaster room. Fibreglass casting tape (e.g. Scotchcast(tm) Casting Tape, 3M, St Paul, MN, USA) is twisted around itself to form a solid bar. Custom wedges can then be cut from the bar using a plaster or hand saw and inserted as required (Fig. 1).
Figure 1.
Fibreglass bar and wedged cast.