CAST CARE INSTRUCTIONS

A cast is used to immobilize, protect, and align a part of the body.

Drying time: A fiberglass cast or splint will dry in 1 hour. Until the cast is dry, keep it uncovered. If the physician allows weightbearing (walking), DO NOT weightbear (walk) on a leg cast until it is dry.

KEEP THE CAST DRY!
Do not shower. Tub bathing is possible with arm casts or a short leg (below the knee) cast, but not with a long leg cast. A double plastic bag should be placed over the cast and taped in place above the cast edge. The limb should then be held outside the tub. With very young and very small children, or in difficult circumstances, sponge bathing is recommended. Tub bathing should be supervised by an adult.

Notify our office immediately if a cast becomes wet after surgery where pins were placed by the doctor.

Check for swelling - elevate the swollen casted arm or leg higher than the heart for up to several hours. If swelling persists after elevation, and is associated with pain and/or decreased movement, the doctor’s office should be notified.

Check for movement - have your child move the fingers or toes on the casted extremity.

Check for color - compare to the non-casted arm or leg. Pale, bluish or bright red skin could mean a problem, and the doctor’s office should be notified.

Keep all foreign objects (food, bobby pins, coins, pen caps, small toys, etc.) from falling inside the cast because they can cause sores. Do not place any object (pens, pencils, coat hangers, etc.) in the cast to scratch. Do not use powder, lotion, ointment, etc. inside the cast.

For infants and small children in a short arm cast or a leg cast, count the fingers and toes. If they disappear into the cast, the cast is slipping and needs to be replaced.