How to take care of your Cast

Do's

• Elevate and support your plastered limb as instructed
• Exercise all your joints which are not covered by the cast i.e. shoulders, elbows, fingers, knees, toes
• Let your cast dry naturally
• Use your sling as instructed

 

Do not's

• Stand or put weight on your cast until it is completely dry
• Get your cast wet (Cast covers may be purchased in a pharmacy)
• Cut, or otherwise, interfere with your cast
• Directly expose to heat, e.g. radiator, electric blanket, fire
• Use any object to scratch the skin underneath your cast...see below number 5
• Walk on your cast unless instructed to do so

 

 

IMPORTANT, REPORT AT ONCE if you experience any of the following:

1. Increasing levels of pain unrelieved by medication/elevation
2. Your fingers/toes turn blue, white, or swollen and do not recover when elevated or exercised
3. You have pins and needles, numbness or difficulty in moving your fingers/toes
4. There is an offensive discharge or ooze from your cast
5. You drop something inside your cast
6. Any blister like pain or rubbing under the cast

 

Report as soon as possible if you experience any of the following:

 

   7.   Your cast becomes soft or cracks
   8.   Your cast becomes very loose, tight or otherwise uncomfortable

 

 

References

 

Beaumont Hospital. 2010. How to Take Care of Your Cast. Beaumont Hospital: Accident and Emergency.