CAST CARE

A cast is a rigid dressing used to support and protect an injured body part. By keeping the part from moving, it can help to reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasms. It is used for a broken bone, a bone that is out of place, or other severe injuries.

Casts are made up of two layers. The first layer is a soft padding material next to the skin. The second layer is the hard outer shell that supports the injured part. The outer layer can be made from two major types of material, plaster or fiberglass. Fiberglass is lighter, wears longer, and "breathes" better than plaster. It is more expensive than plaster. Plaster molds better than the fiberglass. Plaster can break more easily. It can fall apart if it gets wet. More plaster may be added if a plaster cast weakens or starts to fall apart.

It normally takes a couple of hours for a fiberglass cast to dry completely. A plaster cast can take 2 to 3 days. A leg cast sometimes has a heel on it so walking is permitted. It should not be walked on until the cast is completely dry.

Usually the healthcare provider will want to check the cast after the first 24 hours to make sure it is not too tight. It is common for swelling to occur within that time. An injured arm or leg needs to be elevated above the heart for the first 1 to 3 days after a cast is put on. This helps to keep it from swelling. It also helps lessen the pain. A sealed ice bag or ice pack can be put on the cast over the area that is injured. The fingers or toes, if not injured, should be moved gently and often.

Contact your provider immediately if you have any of the following problems:

increased pain
increased swelling, especially below the cast or if the cast feels too tight
numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" feeling
coolness or feeling of being cold or a dark colored area, especially the fingers or toes
burning and stinging
unable to move the fingers or toes and
a foul odor coming from under the cast

If there is too much swelling, the cast may be too tight. It may need to be loosened. This is an easy procedure. Often the provider will split the cast in half and look at the area one side at a time. The cast can be put back on and held with an elastic bandage. Occasionally, casts need to be removed and reapplied.

It is easy to take care of a cast. However, there are some special things to remember to get the best use of a cast. Keep the cast dry. If a plaster cast gets wet, it will weaken. Damp padding next to the skin can cause a rash, or irritation. Taking a bath or shower can be made easier by covering the cast with a double layer of plastic. Two plastic bags work well. The cast still needs to be kept out of the water. If a baby has a cast that is near the diaper area, the diapers need to be changed often. This is to keep the cast from getting wet and dirty.

Sometimes a special waterproof cast may be applied that allows bathing or showering and even swimming without having to protect the cast with plastic bags. Swimming is not allowed without the approval of the healthcare provider.

Wearing a cast may cause the skin to itch. A hairdryer set on low can be used to blow cool air inside the cast. Sand, dirt, or powder should not be put in the cast. Nothing should be put inside the cast no matter how much it itches. If there is itching that does not stop, contact your provider.

Rough edges should never be trimmed or broken from a cast. If there is a rough edge that is irritating the skin, the provider should be called. When the injury has healed, only the provider should remove a cast. A special saw is used that cuts and breaks the cast apart without cutting the skin.

Splints are like a half cast. Some types are ready made. Others are custom-made and applied by the healthcare provider. The ready-made splints have Velcro to hold them in place. A splint that the provider makes can be held in place with an elastic bandage. Splints may be used if the break in the bone is not very bad. If there is swelling, the provider may put a splint on and later replace it with a cast. A splint is easy to remove and may be used when physical therapy is necessary.

Casts and splints are usually needed for a brief period of time. Taking good care of them will allow the body to heal as quickly as possible.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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