Polite Dissent

52, Week #7 “Going Down”
Writers: Johns, Morrison, Rucka, Waid
Art: Giffen, Lashley, Draxhall

Casts are used to support and protect a broken bone while it heals. They are used to immobilize any joint whose movement can affect the broken bone. This site has a nice overview of common types of casts.

• Montoya’s cast, take 1 (page 3, kitchen): It appears to be no more than a forearm sheath — it does not immobilize any joint.
• Montoya’s cast, take 2 (page 4, kitchen): The cast now appears to be a standard short arm cast, immobilizing the wrist.
• Montoya’s cast, take 3 (page 9, in front of the mansion): Back to the forearm sheath, no wrist immobilization.
• Montoya’s cast, take 4 (pages 10-13, inside the mansion): The big bulky cast is mostly hidden under a slim long-sleeved leather jacket. When it is shown, it looks to be the forearm wrap only with no wrist immobilization.

It’s all a moot point though really. Renee’s narration indicates that she suffered a fractured elbow and you’ll notice that none of the casts shown do anything to immobilize the elbow.

Actually, elbow fractures are rarely treated with casts. A long arm splint (with a sling) is used for 1-2 weeks, and then aggressive rehab is started so the elbow regains its mobility. If Renee fractured her wrist in week four, she should be out of any cast or splint by now (and if you look back at week five, you’ll notice that she’s using a sling but not a long arm splint).