Main Menu
Management
Cast Care
Cast CareA cast supports and protects injured bones, ligaments, or other tissues, keeping them in place while they heal.Casts may be made of fiberglass or plaster.“After the health care provider places the cast, it’ll take 15 to 20 minutes for a fiberglass cast to harden,or a couple of days for a plaster cast.”To keep swelling down in the first few days after you get the cast, raise your injured arm or leg above yourheart; apply ice, using a sealed plastic bag or ice pack wrapped around the cast near the injured area; andwiggle your uninjured fingers or toes often. It’s important to keep your cast dry the entire time you have it on.Before showering and other contact with water, cover the cast with plastic wrap, secure both ends withwaterproof tape. As an added precaution, you can also cover the cast with a plastic bag and tape the opening.Sometimes a cast may have a waterproof liner, which allows you to shower—and even swim—withoutcovering the cast.The skin under your cast may itch. If it does, resist the urge to scratch.“Trying to scratch underneath the cast with a sharp object could cause a break in the skin that couldbecome infected. Speak to your health care provider about relieving the itch safely.”Call your health care provider if you have any cracks, dents, or holes in your cast; a fever; swelling that makesthe cast feel tight; sores around the edges; or something stuck inside. Get immediate medical attention if yourfingers or toes turn blue or numb; you have bleeding, pus, or drainage; a foul smell comes from your cast;you’re in severe pain; or your cast breaks.“Taking proper care of a cast requires some effort, and it’s important to the healing process. But thegood news is your healthcare provider will remove it, so it’s only temporary.”And once the cast is off, be sure to follow your health care provider’s instructions as you continue to heal.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG54640A EN CastCare.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
Watch this to learn some answers to common concerns about shoulder joint replacement.
Watch this video to learn how to do straight leg raises to strengthen your joints before and after joint replacement surgery.
Watch this to learn some self-care skills for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Watch this to learn when you should call the doctor when you have rheumatoid arthritis.
