Pediatric Casting: Intro for Upper and Lower Extremities Diagnoses

Presented by Mary Faussett, Trudy Boulter, and Kerry Mikolaj

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Video Runtime: 67 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 62 MinutesIn this course, occupational and physical therapists will learn about the use of casting for upper and lower extremity diagnoses for their pediatric patients. You will learn why casting pediatric patients is different than adults and how casting affects the physiology of their ever-changing skeletons, muscles, and soft tissue; review important casting principles; and be introduced to the vast diagnostic group that benefits from the use of a variety of casting techniques to help improve overall function and goal attainment. We hope to provide practical information to inspire confidence in the use of casting as a valuable component to elevate outcomes with many of your pediatric patients.

Meet your instructors

Mary Faussett

Mary “Peggy” Faussett is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist. She graduated with a master’s in occupational therapy in 2001 from Chatham University. She became a certified hand therapist in 2012. Peggy currently works at Children’s Hospital Colorado as the program coordinator for the pediatric hand therapy…

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Trudy Boulter

Trudy Boulter is an occupational therapist, certified hand therapist (CHT), and certified burn therapist (BT-C). Trudy works on the burn team at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She provides clinical care for burn patients in the acute inpatient, rehabilitative, outpatient, and aftercare settings. She feels so lucky to work on a…

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Kerry Mikolaj

Kerry Mikolaj is a pediatric physical therapist. She graduated in 2005 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University. Kerry works on the burn team at the Children's Hospital Colorado Burn Center. She has treated a variety of diagnoses in patients ranging from infants to young adults. Kerry is passionate about…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Pediatrics and the Benefits of Casting: Why Cast?

In this chapter, we discuss the challenges of casting in pediatrics, the growing skeleton, the impacts of development, and the importance of family-centered care and education, and lay the foundation of why casting is a fun, creative tool to use for pediatric patients.

2. Pediatric Anatomy and Physiology

In this chapter, we discuss the complex relationship between the growing skeleton, muscles, and soft tissues and how all three systems need to be considered when planning to implement casting into your treatment plan for pediatric patients.

3. Basics of Casting: Design and Fabrication Principles

In this chapter, we discuss the basics of cast design and fabrication principles. It is important to keep design and fabrication principles in mind when using a cast as a therapeutic tool. They help to make the cast effective, comfortable, and cause no harm.

4. Endless Possibilities With Different Diagnoses

In this chapter, we share examples of our patients where casting is used as an integral part of their treatment plan. We will share an overview of diagnostic groups that benefit from this creative and adaptable therapeutic tool. We will discuss the underlying physiology for the diagnosis being reviewed, developmental goals to consider, and examples of how casting is utilized to optimize outcomes.