2888 YLH Looking after your cast - a guide for patients
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If you have been given a cast,
it will immobilise, support
and protect your injured limb.
However, there are a number of important things
you can also do to aid your recovery.
Here are our top tips:
Rest and elevate.
You must rest and raise your injured limb
as much as possible for the first 48 hours.
If you have damaged your leg,
it needs to be raised above your hip.
This will help to drain fluid
from your injury and reduce any swelling.
This will make your cast more comfortable.
Keep exercising.
Exercise all your joints on the affected
limb that are not held in your cast,
as much as possible.
This should include your fingers, elbows,
shoulders, knees and toes.
This is because exercising will improve
your circulation and reduce stiffness.
If you are allowed to walk in your plaster,
always wear a cast shoe or you will damage
the cast and it won’t provide
the support you need.
Keep moving.
It is very easy to get a pressure ulcer
when you wear a plaster,
especially on your heel, elbow,
wrist,ankle or knee.
So it's important that you change position
at least every two hours
to avoid pressure on any
one area of your limb.
Keep clean.
Use wet wipes to clean your fingers or toes.
But please avoid using powders
or spraying perfume inside your cast,
as they can irritate your skin
Keep your plaster dry.
Don’t get your cast wet as it will weaken it
and the damp padding
will cause skin problems.
If you are going to have a bath or shower,
use a cast protector,
but don’t leave it on afterwards
as it may restrict your circulation.
You can buy cast protectors
online and at pharmacies.
Look out for problems.
Contact the fracture clinic using
the numbers provided at the end of the video:
if your fingers or toes become very cold,
blue or white and do not recover
when elevated or exercised.
if the cast is rubbing, you develop a sore,
or if you have an constant unexplained pain,
cramp or swelling, particularly in your calf muscle
if you have a persistent blister-like pain
or tenderness, usually over a bony area, or
if you have any discharge,
wetness or smell under your cast
or if staining has developed on the outside
of the cast especially if you have had surgery.