Care of Plastered Hand
Cast Care Tips
A cast or a splint supports and protects an injured part of your body. The cast or the splint prevents the injured area from moving, so it can heal faster.
Taking good care of your cast will help you for a better and a speedy recovery.
Frequently asked questions on casting:
Que: Can Plaster of Paris (POP) casts get wet?
Ans: Absolutely not! A wet POP cast may not hold the bone in place because the cast could start to dissolve. Keeping your cast dry should be a foremost priority.
Que: Can synthetic (fiberglass or polyester) casts get wet?
Ans: Although the synthetic casts are waterproof, the padding inside the cast may not be waterproof. Hence keep a synthetic cast away from getting wet. Talk to the doctor about getting a waterproof padding.
Que: Is it OK to have people sign and draw on my cast?
Ans: Definitely! That often makes the whole broken bone experience more bearable especially for kids.
Que: What if I have an itch in the cast?
Ans: Try blowing some cool air in the cast with a hair dryer or sit under a fan till the cast is dry. Never pour powder or oils in the cast to relieve itching or try to reach the itch with long, pointed object such as a pencil – these could scratch or irritate your skin and can lead to an infection.
Que: What if the cast develops a crack?
Ans: This can happen if the cast is hit or crushed, has a weak spot, or if the injured area begins to swell underneath. Call your doctor as soon as you notice a crack.
Que: Will I feel pain when the broken bone is in a cast?
Ans: Some pain is expected for the first few days, but it’s usually not severe. The doctor may recommend medicines to ease the pain.
Que: How are casts taken off?
Ans: The doctor will use a small electrical saw to remove the cast. Although it may look and sound scary, the process is quick and painless. The saw’s blade is not sharp – it has a dull, round blade that vibrates from side to side.
Tips to help reduce swelling and ease pain
- Rest your arm or leg so that it is above your heart. To do this, rest your arm or leg on a pillow when sitting or lying down.
- If you have an arm cast, use a sling when walking around.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
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- If there is mild swelling, elevate or apply ice to your fractured arm or leg.
- At all times, keep the cast clean and dry.
- Wiggle the fingers or toes of the fractured limb to prevent stiffness.
- Check for cracks. Contact your doctor if you spot any.
- Keep foreign objects away from your cast.
Don’ts
- Scratch under the cast with pointed or sharp objects. This may injure the underlying skin leading to an infection
- Trim the cast or break off any rough edges, as this may weaken or break the cast.
- Sprinkle powder or perfume inside the cast. It can cause skin irritation.
- Drive or lift anything heavy until the cast is removed
Cast Caution Signs
Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs-
- You have severe or increasing pain and it does not go away with changing positions or pain medicines
- Your cast or splint feels very tight
- Your hand or feet feels numb or tingles
- Your fingers or toes turn blue or grey or become very swollen
- The skin under the cast or splint is burning, stinging or it feels like something is pressing into your skin
- Bad smell coming from the cast
- You have chills and a fever over 38.5 C (101.3F)