Plaster casts are made up of a bandage and a hard covering, usually plaster of paris.
They allow broken bones to heal by holding them in place, and usually need to stay on for between 4 and 12 weeks.
Taking good care of your cast will help ensure a better recovery.
Following are Plaster cast care advice-
-Keep your arm or leg raised on a soft surface, such as a pillow for the first few days. This will help to reduce the swelling .
-Do not get your plaster cast wet.
There are special covers available for plaster casts to keep them dry when washing or bathing.
Do not try to use plastic bags or similar covers to keep the cast dry, as these are not reliable methods.
-If your cast gets wet, contact your doctor
-To prevent sweating under the cast avoid covering the plaster cast.
-Even if the plaster cast makes your skin feel very itchy, do not poke anything underneath it. This could lead to infection.
-Do not walk on a cast unless you have been told it is safe to do so and have been given a plaster shoe.
-do exercise as adviced for any joints that are not covered by the cast – such as your elbow, knee, fingers or toes – to help improve your circulation.
-do not try to alter the length or position of your cast
-do not lift anything heavy or drive until the cast has been removed
-use crutches or a sling as advised by your doctor
-use painkillers if you experience any pain
-you can usually return to school or work with a cast, but you should avoid strenuous activities
You should contact your orthopaedic doctor immediately if :-
1)your plaster cast still feels too tight
2)you experience persistent itching or a burning sensation under the cast
3)your fingers or toes on the affected limb feel swollen, tingly, painful . No relief from pain even after taking painkillers.
4)your cast feels too loose
5)your cast is broken or cracked
6)the skin underneath your cast feels sore or there is an unpleasant smell or discharge coming from your cast
Dr Ganesh Rajeshwar treat a wide range of bone and joint conditions.
We at MUMBAI ORTHO &EYE CLINIC offers a personal treatment plan laid out for you, with all the details taken care of ,so we can focus on you.
