You will be going home with a removable cast. This is also called a splint. A cast helps your body heal by holding your injured bones or joints in place. A damaged cast can keep the injury from healing well. Take good care of your cast. If the cast becomes damaged, it may need to be replaced.
You have a broken ___________________ bone.
This bone is in your ____________.
General care
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Wear your removable cast according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.
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Always keep the removable cast dry. Bathe with your cast out of the water. Hold the body part with the cast outside the tub or shower. Protect it with a large plastic bag. Close the bag with tape or rubber bands. Use 2 layers of plastic to help keep the cast dry. Or you can buy a waterproof shield.
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If your cast gets wet, dry it with a hair dryer on the cool setting. Don’t use the warm or hot setting. Those settings can burn your skin.
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Keep the cast clean and away from dirt.
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Don’t cut or tear the cast.
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Keep your cast away from open flames.
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Don’t expose your cast to heat, space heaters, or a lot of sunlight. Too much heat will cause the cast to change shape.
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Exercise all the nearby joints that are not limited in movement by the cast. If you have a long leg cast, exercise your hip joint and your toes. If you have an arm cast, exercise your shoulder, elbow, thumb, and fingers.
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Raise the part of your body that is in the cast. Do this as often as possible during your day. This helps reduce swelling.
Cleaning your cast
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Clean the removable cast with soap and lukewarm water. Scrub it with a small brush.
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Use alcohol wipes to rub the inside of the cast. This is to reduce odor and bacteria.
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Wash the Velcro straps and inner cloth sleeve (stockinet) with soapy water. Then let it air dry.
Follow-up care
Make a follow-up appointment with your health care provider, or as advised.
When to call your doctor
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
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Tingling or numbness in the affected area.
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Severe pain that is not relieved with medicine.
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A cast that feels too tight or too loose.
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Swelling, coldness, or blue-gray color in your fingers or toes.
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A cast that is damaged, cracked, or has rough edges that hurt.
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Pressure sores or red marks that don’t go away within 1 hour after removing the cast.
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Blisters.
