Caring For A Cast

There are 2 types of casts that may be used to mend a broken (fractured) bone.

Plaster of Paris Cast

It takes about 2-3 days for plaster to dry after the cast has been put on. While your cast is drying, handle it with care. Rest your cast on soft surfaces only, or use a pillow. Do not rest your cast on the floor, table or desk. Do not walk on a walking cast until it is dry!

Water or moisture will cause your cast to break down, become soft or crack. Once it is wet, it will not harden again! A cast that is soft or cracked may not hold the bone(s) in place and may need to be replaced or reinforced.

Fiberglass Cast

The fiberglass cast is lighter and tougher than plaster. Do not get your cast wet. The fiberglass repels water on the outside of the cast but the padding on the inside is the same as in the plaster cast. If it gets wet, the skin under it can blister and break down. If the outside of the cast becomes dirty, use a damp cloth and mild soap to clean it.

Rest your limb on a pillow. To prevent the heel and other areas from developing sores under the cast (if you have a leg cast), it is important to rest your cast on a pillow, with the heel hanging freely over the edge. Support should be the same along the length of the limb with the cast - not at just one spot.

For all new fractures of any limb it is important to raise the limb above the heart for the first 2-3 days whenever possible. This will help to decrease pain and swelling.

Raise your limb if at any time you notice that your toes or fingers :

* are more swollen
* are a bluish colour
* feel numb or tingle (pins and needles)

Normal colour and feeling should return after a short period of time (at least 20 minutes). If this does not help, call your healthcare provider. Wiggling your fingers or toes now and then while in a cast is important. It helps stimulate blood flow and can help decrease the swelling. If there is increasing pain with moving the fingers or toes the cast may be too tight and need to be opened. In this case, go to the Emergency Department.

Bruising is normal, even if the bruising is not in the same area as your fracture. When a bone breaks, it bleeds. The blood may go down your limb by gravity. For example, if you break your arm you may notice that your hand is bruised.

Crutches or Sling

If you have been asked to use crutches or a sling, please do so. If you have been told not to walk on your cast, do not. The doctor often tells you not to walk on your cast because the break (fracture) is not stable. This means the bones could move out of alignment and you could need an operation to set it back into position.

Bathing in a Cast

Bathing in both types of casts is a challenge. You should not shower, as it is hard to control any water dripping into the cast.

Keep the Cast Protected

Use supplies from home:

1. Cover it with a towel (use elastic bands to hold it in place).
2. Cover the whole limb with a plastic bag.
3. Seal the upper edge with tape (can be duct tape but watch for skin irritation).

Buy new supplies:
A bath sleeve to cover casts may be purchased at a medical supply store. (Not recommended as it does not fit children well).

No matter what you use to protect the cast, remember to keep the limb/cast out of the water. Neither method allows the cast to be put in water.

Care for Your Cast

Do not modify (change) your cast in any way. If you remove padding or cut away pieces of your cast the position of the bones could change. The padding is there to protect your skin when the cast is being removed.

Do Not Put Anything Into Your Cast

Any object placed into your cast can irritate or create a sore inside the cast.

Casts are now padded with a material that has greatly improved the problem of itchiness. This padding helps repel moisture such as perspiration (sweat) and also allows better flow of air to the skin. If you have an itch under your cast, use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow air down your cast. This often will stop the itch.

Contact the Doctor Looking After You or Go To the Emergency Department if You Have:

* An unusual or foul smell coming from within your cast
* A new stain on your cast caused by fluids that have collected from inside your cast
* A fever
* New pain that is in only one spot under your cast
* Noticed your toes and fingers are disappearing into your cast (the cast may be loose and the bones may shift)
* Numbness, tingling (pins and needles) or you cannot move your fingers or toes after you have raised the cast above your heart for at least 20 minutes

Disclaimer

Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright

This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.