Professional-grade fiberglass cast kits and casting supplies for orthopedic cast technicians, medical professionals, and informed patients. Whether you're learning how to apply an arm cast, leg cast, or need supplies for cast changes, OrthoTape.com provides everything you need for proper orthopedic immobilization. Our complete cast kits include fiberglass casting tape, cast padding, stockinette, and gloves—all sized appropriately for each cast type.
Understanding Cast Types - Which Cast Kit Do You Need?
Choosing the right cast kit depends on the location and severity of the injury. Each cast type is designed to immobilize specific areas while providing optimal support during the healing process.
Arm Cast Kits - Upper Extremity Immobilization
Short Arm Cast (SAC): Extends from below the elbow to the metacarpal heads (knuckles), immobilizing the wrist and forearm while allowing elbow movement. The short arm cast is the most common upper extremity cast and is essential for wrist fractures (including distal radius and Colles' fractures), scaphoid fractures, carpal bone injuries, and post-operative wrist immobilization. This cast provides excellent wrist stability while maintaining elbow function for daily activities.
Long Arm Cast (LAC): Extends from the upper arm to the hand, immobilizing the elbow, forearm, and wrist in a fixed position. The long arm cast prevents both elbow and wrist movement, making it critical for elbow fractures, humerus fractures, radius and ulna fractures, severe forearm injuries, and post-operative immobilization after elbow or upper arm surgery. The elbow is typically positioned at 90 degrees for optimal healing and patient comfort.
Leg Cast Kits - Lower Extremity Immobilization
Short Leg Cast (SLC): Extends from below the knee to the toes, immobilizing the ankle and foot at a 90-degree angle while allowing knee movement. The short leg cast is the workhorse of lower extremity casting, used for ankle fractures, distal tibial fractures, foot fractures and dislocations, severe ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries, and serial deformity casting. Can be converted to a walking cast by adding a rubber walking heel, allowing weight-bearing mobility during recovery.
Long Leg Cast (LLC): Extends from the upper thigh to the toes, immobilizing the knee, ankle, and foot in a fixed position. The long leg cast provides maximum lower extremity stabilization for tibial fractures (upper leg), femur fractures, knee injuries requiring complete immobilization, complex lower extremity fractures, and severe ligament injuries. The knee is typically positioned at a slight flexion angle for patient comfort during extended wear.
Walking Cast vs. CAM Walker Boot - Why Fiberglass Wins
Medical research shows that short leg walking casts heal patients faster and provide better compliance than removable CAM walker boots. Here's why a fiberglass walking cast with a rubber heel is superior:
Custom Fit: Fiberglass walking casts are custom-molded to your exact foot shape, providing superior protection. CAM boots fit shoe size ranges of 3+ sizes, resulting in poor fit—either too big or too small.
Waterproof Option: Fiberglass casts can be made completely waterproof using waterproof cast padding, allowing showering, bathing, and swimming. CAM boots get soaked, ruined, and develop odor from absorbed sweat.
24/7 Protection: Casts stay on continuously, preventing re-injury. Doctors often tell patients to remove CAM boots for bathing and sleeping, creating high-risk situations for re-injury during unprotected moments.
Better Compliance: Patients frequently remove CAM boots against medical advice, slowing recovery. Casts ensure continuous immobilization until the doctor confirms healing.
Personalization: Fiberglass casts can be decorated with 16+ color choices and signed by friends, improving mental well-being during recovery. You can't personalize a clunky boot.
Shower Cover Compatibility: Shower covers fit over fiberglass casts. CAM boots are too bulky at the base for any shower cover to fit properly.
Complete Cast Kit Contents - Everything You Need
Each OrthoTape fiberglass cast kit is carefully assembled with the exact quantities and sizes needed for successful cast application:
Short Arm Cast Kit: 1 roll 3" + 2 rolls 2" fiberglass tape, 1 roll 3" + 2 rolls 2" cast padding, 24" stockinette (sized for adult or child), thumb stockinette, 2 pairs gloves
Long Arm Cast Kit: 3 rolls 3" + 1 roll 2" fiberglass tape, 3 rolls 3" + 1 roll 2" cast padding, 36" stockinette (sized for teen/adult or child), thumb stockinette, 2 pairs gloves
Short Leg Cast Kit: 2 rolls 4" + 2 rolls 3" fiberglass tape, 2 rolls 4" + 2 rolls 3" cast padding, 36" stockinette (sized by gender/age), 2 pairs gloves
Long Leg Cast Kit: 4 rolls 4" + 3 rolls 3" fiberglass tape, 2 rolls 6" + 3 rolls 4" cast padding, 48" stockinette (sized for adult or child), 2 pairs gloves
Essential Casting Supplies & Accessories
Cast Removal Tools
Orthopedic Cast Shears: Heavy-duty shears designed specifically to cut through hard fiberglass and plaster casts. Note: Cast shears cut the hard outer shell only—you need orthopedic scissors to cut the soft padding and stockinette underneath.
Fiskars Razor Edge Orthopedic Scissors: The preferred scissors of cast technicians for effortlessly cutting through cast padding and stockinette during cast removal. Nothing is sharper—a must-have tool.
Cast Spreaders: Stainless steel tools that slip between cast edges and spread up to 2 inches, allowing safe cast removal with maximum pressure and minimum effort. Features thin grooved jaws and long handles for powerful leverage.
Walking Cast Accessories
Rubber Walking Heels: Convert short leg casts into walking casts for weight-bearing mobility. Available in 4 styles: #1 Cushioned Tread (maximum grip for active patients), #2 Pedestal (tennis shoe-like tread with natural rocker bottom), #3 Adult (lowest profile for minimal hip displacement), #4 Child (ideal for younger patients).
Comfort & Protection
Delta Fleece Cast Edger: Adhesive fleece padding that protects skin from rubbing against rough cast edges. High-quality adhesive ensures secure placement, and unique stretch allows easy padding around corners and contours for smooth, comfortable cast edges.
Cast Stands: Adjustable stands that support casts during application and drying, ensuring proper positioning and preventing deformity while the fiberglass sets.
Nitrile Casting Gloves: Protect hands from fiberglass resin during cast application. One size fits all, included in all cast kits.
Why Buy Cast Materials from OrthoTape Instead of Your Doctor's Office?
Massive Cost Savings
Medical facilities typically charge $200-500+ for casting materials when billed through insurance. By purchasing directly from OrthoTape, you pay wholesale-direct pricing and save $150-400+ per cast. Many patients buy materials in advance and bring them to their doctor's appointment for application, or purchase supplies for scheduled cast changes at midterm.
16+ Color Choices vs. Limited Hospital Stock
Most doctors only carry 2-3 basic cast colors because they don't want to maintain large inventories. This means you're often stuck with limited choices, or worse, they're out of the color you want on appointment day. Why limit yourself in color choice for a cast you'll wear for weeks or months? We offer 16+ vibrant colors including specialty prints (camo, teddy bear) so you can choose exactly what you want.
Professional-Grade Quality Guaranteed
Our fiberglass casting tape is the same professional-grade material—if not better—than what your doctor uses, meeting or exceeding all industry standards. We're direct suppliers to medical facilities, orthopedic clinics, and cast technician training programs nationwide.
Fast, Reliable Shipping
Most orders ship same day by 2 PM EST from our Ridgeland, SC 29936 warehouse. Upgrade shipping options available at checkout. Pro tip: Order supplies 1-2 days before your appointment rather than rushing overnight shipping—always plan ahead.
Perfect for Cast Changes
Medical best practice recommends changing casts at midterm to check healing progress and replace worn materials. Having your own cast kit ready for scheduled changes saves time and money while ensuring you get the color you want.
Expert Support & Education
Our team understands orthopedic casting inside and out. We provide video tutorials showing proper application techniques for each cast type, and our customer support is available to answer questions. We support cast technician training programs and informed patients alike.
Cast Application Best Practices
Never apply fiberglass directly to skin: Always use stockinette and cast padding as protective layers
Proper positioning is critical: Wrists at neutral, elbows at 90°, ankles at 90° for optimal healing
Allow adequate drying time: Fiberglass sets quickly but needs time to fully cure before weight-bearing
Check for proper fit: Cast should be snug but not tight—check circulation and sensation after application
Smooth all edges: Use cast edger to prevent skin irritation from rough fiberglass edges
Who Uses OrthoTape Cast Kits?
Orthopedic Cast Technicians: Students and professionals in NAOT-certified training programs
Medical Facilities: Urgent care centers, orthopedic clinics, emergency departments, sports medicine practices
Athletic Trainers: High school, college, and professional sports programs
Informed Patients: Individuals who want color choice, cost savings, and quality materials for their recovery
Veterinary Professionals: Veterinarians applying casts for animal orthopedic injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everything I need come with the cast kit? Yes. Each kit includes fiberglass tape, cast padding, stockinette, and gloves—everything needed to apply a complete cast.
Will my doctor apply a cast using materials I bring? Many doctors will apply casts using patient-supplied materials, especially when patients want specific colors not stocked by the office. Call ahead to confirm your doctor's policy.
How fast can you ship? Same-day shipping for orders placed by 3 PM EST. Upgrade options available at checkout. We recommend ordering 1-2 days before your appointment rather than rushing overnight shipping.
What are stockinette and padding made of? We use synthetic materials for optimal comfort, moisture management, and compatibility with fiberglass casting tape.
Can I make a waterproof cast? Yes! Use waterproof cast padding (like AquaCast) instead of traditional padding to create a fully waterproof cast that allows showering, bathing, and swimming.
What's the difference between fiberglass and plaster casts? Fiberglass is lighter, stronger, water-resistant, sets faster, and available in colors. Plaster is heavier, not water-resistant, but provides slightly better molding for complex shapes.
Should I be trained before applying a cast? Yes. Cast application should be performed by trained medical professionals or those in supervised educational training programs. Improper application can cause complications.
Browse our complete selection of fiberglass cast kits and casting supplies above. Whether you're a cast technician in training, a medical professional, or an informed patient seeking quality materials and color choices, OrthoTape.com has everything you need for successful orthopedic casting.