Wearing a Plaster Cast: Care Instructions

Overview

A cast protects a broken bone or other injury while it heals. Your cast is made of plaster. After a cast is put on, you can't remove it yourself. Your doctor or a technician will take it off.

How can you care for yourself at home?

General care

• Follow your doctor's instructions for when you can start using the limb that has the cast. Plaster casts may take several days before they are hard enough to protect the injured limb.
• When it's okay to put weight on your leg or foot cast, don't stand or walk on it unless it's designed for walking.
• Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the first 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your cast for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your cast. Keep the cast dry.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Do exercises as instructed by your doctor or physical therapist. These exercises will help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible while you heal.
• Wiggle your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg often. This helps reduce swelling and stiffness.

Water and your cast

• Keep your cast completely dry. The plaster will start to break down if it gets wet.
• Use a bag or tape a sheet of plastic to cover your cast when you take a shower or bath or when you have any other contact with water. (Don't take a bath unless you can keep the cast out of the water.) Moisture can collect under the cast and cause skin irritation and itching. It can make infection more likely if you had surgery or have a wound under the cast.

Cast and skin care

• Try blowing cool air from a hair dryer or fan into the cast to help relieve itching. Never stick items under your cast to scratch the skin.
• Don't use oils or lotions near your cast. If the skin gets red or irritated around the edge of the cast, you may pad the edges with a soft material or use tape to cover them.