Learn essential tips for caring for casts with Meri Sehat. Ensure proper healing and comfort during the recovery process

Care For Casts

Taking care of your cast is no laughing matter. It's important to keep it clean, dry, and comfy to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Introduction

Hey there, fellow cast-wearer! So, you&#39;ve found yourself in a situation where you&#39;re sporting a new accessory on your arm or leg. Sure, it may not be the most stylish thing in the world, but it&#39;s definitely a conversation starter. After all, who doesn&#39;t love a good conversation about how they got injured?

Let&#39;s dive in and make sure you and your cast have a smooth and speedy recovery! 
&nbsp;

Understanding Cast Care

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, more than 6,000,000 broken bones occur in the United States every year, and many of those injuries require casts1. And it does not only stop here.

If not taken care of, your cast can lead to various illnesses and severe discomfort. Children with casts usually experience a higher rate of itching and discomfort compared to adults. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Casts vs. Splints</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Both casts and splints are orthopedic devices used to support and protect injured or broken bones and joints until it fully heals.

Casts can provide greater protection and support to a limb that is either broken or injured as compared to a splint. They are made up of fiberglass or plaster.

On the other hand, splints, which are also called half-casts, provide less protection and support than casts. However, they are easier and more convenient to use. They can be applied faster and loosened or tightened accordingly. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Types Of Casts</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

A cast is unique and custom-made to accommodate each person&rsquo;s specific injury. There are broadly two main types of casts<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>:

<ol>
	<li>Plaster Casts: For some applications, plaster casts are simpler to use than fiberglass casts. They are also typically less expensive than the other type of cast. In certain cases, they are more malleable, too. But they&rsquo;re heavier so they&rsquo;ll be difficult to handle for children. Plaster casts come in only one color &ndash; white. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fiberglass Casts: Compared to plaster castings, these casts are often lighter, more durable, and more porous. Additionally, fiberglass casts are easier for X-rays to penetrate than plaster ones, which makes it simpler for your doctor to inspect while the cast is still on. Fiberglass casts are available in a variety of designs and colors. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

A shattered bone is treated with casts and splints. Other injuries, such as a dislocation or sprain, that require immobilization may also be dealt with casts to promote healing. Additionally, they can be applied after orthopedic surgery.

Splints are occasionally employed right away if there&rsquo;s swelling in the injured area. A full cast may be put on the wounded limb once the swelling has reduced. 
&nbsp;

If there&rsquo;s swelling and the cast begins to feel too tight and uncomfortable, you can follow these steps to lessen the swelling:

<ul>
	<li>Elevate The Area Under Influence: Use cushions to raise the cast for the first 24-72 hours after the cast is put on. If the cast is on the leg, lie down. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Apply Ice: An ice pack covered in a thin towel should be wrapped around the cast at the site of the injury. Covering the ice pack is crucial to keep the cast dry. However, the covering shouldn&rsquo;t be too thick; an ice pack that&rsquo;s tightly packed or touches the cast at only one point won&#39;t be as effective. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Stay Mobile: You should frequently move the fingers or toes of the injured limb. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If the wounded area becomes less swollen and the cast grows looser during the healing process, then the cast needs to be replaced. In that case, a splint may be used in place of the cast to allow for more range of motion<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Casts are typically designed to stay dry. As such, a wet cast can cause an infection or skin irritation. That said, the kind of cast you have determines if it&rsquo;s ok to get wet or not.

So, a cast made of fiberglass or plaster with standard cushioning is not waterproof. You&rsquo;ll have to cover it with two layers of plastic and secure it with a rubber band or piece of duct tape to keep it dry during a bath. It&rsquo;s also advised to avoid swimming with fiberglass or plaster casts with conventional padding.

A waterproof cast is used to treat only specific conditions. However, even if you do wear a fiberglass cast with a waterproof liner, it can also get wet. But the trick here is that you can dry out the inside padding with a hair dryer. Set it on low heat to avoid burning or irritating the skin<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t Put Weight On Your Cast: In case of a leg injury, make sure your cast is completely hard and dry before you try to walk on it. A fiberglass cast takes nearly 1 hour, while a plaster cast will take 2-3 days. Wearing a cast shoe over the walking cast protects the bottom of the cast. Other assistive devices, like crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs, are recommended to avoid putting weight on the cast while moving around. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Keep The Cast Clean And Dry: If a fiberglass cast gets wet, a hairdryer in a relatively cooler setting can be used to dry it. If the cast does not dry or if the skin beneath the cast gets damp, contact your physician. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Cover The Cast With A Plastic Bag Before Coming In Contact With Water: You can easily find cast coverings made of plastic with Velcro straps or rubber gaskets at a drugstore. Use such material to cover your cast before you indulge in any water-related activity, like sitting in a hot tub or going to the beach. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t Put Anything Inside The Cast: Powders and lotions shouldn&#39;t be applied to the skin underneath a cast. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t Scratch The Itchy Skin Under Your Cast: Scratching with a sharp tool may cut your skin which can lead to an infection. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pay Close Attention For Any Smell Coming From The Cast: Mold or fungus can develop under a cast due to sweat or moisture. Contact your doctor immediately as it can get infected. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Do Not Trim Around The Edge Of A Plaster Cast: A fiberglass cast&#39;s uneven edges can be smoothed with a metal file. Any other material used for this purpose can cause damage. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Do Not Remove The Cast Yourself: Your doctor will remove it with a special tool only when they feel your bone&rsquo;s sufficiently healed. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Note:If the cast is not waterproof, kids should get sponge baths only. Don&rsquo;t put them in water. Depending on their health, some of them may also require assistance using a urinal or a bedpan. 
&nbsp;

Reported to your doctor&#39;s office right away if you experience the following symptoms<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>:

<ol>
	<li>Increased discomfort and a sensation that the cast or splint is too tight. This may indicate swelling.</li>
	<li>Tingling and numbness in the affected limb. It&#39;s possible that there&#39;s too much strain on the nerves causing this.</li>
	<li>A burning and stinging sensation brought on by too much pressure on the skin.</li>
	<li>Excessive swelling beneath the cast is another warning sign to look out for. It means the cast is slowing your blood circulation.</li>
	<li>Loss of active toe or finger movement. This requires URGENT evaluation by your doctor as it can mean nerve damage. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Conclusion

There is a wide range of potential infectious problems associated with limb casts and splints. It includes limb- or life-threatening infections, like toxic shock syndrome and <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/necrotizing-fasciitis">necrotizing fasciitis</a>. Simply taking these diagnoses into account and taking off the cast to closely examine the injured extremity could be the key to early detection and the best possible result of cast problems.

Your doctor will take extra precautions if your cast has been exposed to water. If they suspect a severe infection, this may involve immediate surgical consultation, rigorous fluid management, and antibiotic therapy<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>.

Depending on how long the cast is worn, complications might range in severity from mild to serious: 
&nbsp;

1. Pressure Sores:Sores develop on the skin beneath the cast when the cast does not fit well or is overly tight, putting too much pressure on one area.

2. Compartment Syndrome:This is a serious problem brought on by a cast that is too tight or stiff and squeezes a swollen limb. Muscles, nerves, or blood arteries in the cast-covered area are damaged when the pressure inside the cast increases. The nerve damage can become permanent if it is not discovered and addressed right away. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your physician:

<ul>
	<li>Numbness or tingling in the affected limb</li>
	<li>Cold or pale skin or skin with a bluish discoloration</li>
	<li>A sensation of burning or stinging</li>
	<li>An increase in pain or swelling 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

In conclusion, taking care of your cast is no laughing matter, but with a little bit of patience and some extra TLC, you&#39;ll be back on your feet in no time. Remember, a well-cared-for cast is a happy cast, and a happy cast means a happy recovery! 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, more than 6,000,000 broken bones occur in the United States every year, and many of those injuries require casts.</li>
	<li>Children with casts usually experience a higher rate of itching and discomfort compared to adults.</li>
	<li>For some applications, plaster casts are simpler to use than fiberglass casts. They are also typically less expensive than the other type of cast.</li>
	<li>Fiberglass casts are easier for X-rays to penetrate than plaster ones, which makes it simpler for your doctor to inspect while the cast is still on.</li>
	<li>A shattered bone is treated with casts and splints. Additionally, they can be applied after orthopedic surgery.</li>
	<li>If the wounded area becomes less swollen and the cast grows looser during the healing process, then the cast needs to be replaced.</li>
	<li>An ice pack covered in a thin towel should be wrapped around the cast at the site of the injury.</li>
	<li>Use material such as plastic covers to wrap around your cast before you shower.</li>
	<li>Mold or fungus can develop under a cast due to sweat or moisture. Contact your doctor immediately as it can get infected.</li>
	<li>There is a wide range of potential infectious problems associated with limb casts and splints, including infections, like toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, that can pose a threat to one&#39;s life.</li>
	<li>If your doctor suspects a severe infection, treatment may involve immediate surgical consultation, rigorous fluid management, and antibiotic therapy.</li>
</ul>

[1] Arm injury statistics (no date) Aids for One Armed Tasks.

[2] Incidence of skin complications and associated charges in children

[3] How to look after your child's cast (2022) Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

[4] Splints & casts for bone fractures or injuries (no date) Cleveland Clinic.

[5] Delasobera BE, Place R, Howell J, Davis JE. Serious infectious complications related to extremity cast/splint placement in children. J Emerg Med. 2011;41(1):47-50. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.05.031

Trusted By