Why do I need a splint or cast?
What types of splints or casts are available
to me?
What materials are used in splints and casts?
How are splints and casts
applied?
How do I prevent or decrease swelling while in my cast or splint?
How do
I take care of my cast or splint?
What warning signs should I look for
while in my splint or cast?
How do I bathe with my cast or splint?
Are waterproof casts available?
How are casts removed?
My doctor asked me to removed by baby’s plaster
cast. How do I do this?
How do I care for my child who is in a hip spica
cast?
Question: Why do I need a splint or cast?
Answer: Splints and casts support and protect injured bones and soft
tissues, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. In some cases, splints
and casts are applied following surgery. Splints or “half casts” provide
less support than a rigid cast. However, splints can be adjusted to accommodate
swelling from injuries easier than enclosed casts. Your doctor will decide
which type of support will be best for you.
Question: What types of splints or casts are available to me?
Answer: Casts are custom-made and applied by an orthopedic
technologist, nurse or physician. Casts and splints can be made of plaster
or fiberglass.
Casts and splints can be custom-made, especially if an exact fit is
necessary. Other times, a ready-made splint will be used. These off-the-shelf
splints
come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are much easier, and faster
to use. Your doctor or technician/nurse will explain both how to use
your injured or leg while it is healing and how to adjust your splint to
accommodate
swelling.
Question: What materials are used in splints and casts?
Answer: Fiberglass or plaster materials form the hard
supportive layer in the splint or cast. Fiberglass is lighter in weight,
longer wearing,
and “breathes” better than plaster. Plaster is less expensive
than fiberglass and for some uses, shapes better than fiberglass. Both
materials come in strips or rolls, which are dipped in water and applied
over a layer of cotton or synthetic padding covering the injured area.
X-rays to check the healing process of an injured arm or leg within
a splint or cast penetrate or “see through” fiberglass better
than plaster.
Question: How are splints and casts applied?
Answer: Both fiberglass and plaster splints and casts
use padding; usually cotton, as a protective layer next to the skin. The
splint or cast must
fit the shape of the injured arm or leg correctly to provide the best
possible support. Generally, the joint above and below the fractured
bone is also covered by the splint or cast. Frequently a splint is applied
to a fresh injury first, and as swelling subsides; a full cast may
be
used to replace the splint. Sometimes it may be necessary to replace
the cast as swelling decreases and the cast gets “too big”.
Often as a fracture heals, a splint may be applied again to allow easy removal
for therapy.
Question: How do I prevent or decrease swelling while in my cast or splint?
Answer: If your treatment is to be successful, you must follow your doctor’s
instructions carefully. The following information provides general guidelines
only, and is not a substitute for your doctor’s advice.
Swelling due to your injury may cause pressure in your splint or cast for
the first 48 to 72 hours. This may cause your injured arm or leg to feel
snug or tight inside the cast or splint. To reduce swelling:
•
Elevate your injured arm or leg ABOVE your heart by propping it up on
pillows or some other support. You will have to recline if the splint
or cast is on your leg. Elevation allows fluid and blood to drain “downhill” to
your heart.
•
Move your uninjured but swollen fingers or toes gently and often.
•
Apply ice to the splint or cast. Place the ice in a dry plastic bag or
ice pack and loosely wrap it around the splint or cast at the level of the
injury. Ice that is packed in a rigid container and touches the cast at
only one point will not be effective.
Question: How do I take care of my cast or splint?
Answer: After adjusting to your cast or splint for a few days it is important
to keep it in good condition. This will help in your recovery.
•
Keep your splint or cast dry. Moisture weakens plaster and damp padding
next to the skin can cause irritation. Keep dirt, sand and powder away
from the inside of your splint or cast.
•
Do not pull the padding out of the cast or splint. Padding helps protect
your skin from the hard cast as well as during cast removal.
•
Do not stick objects such as coat hangers in your cast or splint to scratch
itching skin. You may nick the skin and cause an infection.
•
Inspect the skin around the cast regularly. If the skin becomes red or
chafed, please call our office.
•
Inspect the cast regularly. If it becomes cracked or soft, please contact
our office for instruction.
•
Instruct young children not to hit anyone with their cast.
•
Do not, under any circumstance, remove the cast yourself.
Use common sense. You have a serious injury and you must protect your cast
from damage so that it can protect your injury while it heals. After initial
swelling has subsided, proper splint or cast support will usually allow
you to continue your daily activities with a minimum of inconvenience.
Question: What warning signs should I look for in my cast or splint?
Answer Rest and elevation greatly reduces pain, and speeds the healing
process by minimizing early swelling. If you experience any of the following
warning signs, contact our office immediately for advice.
•
Increased pain, which may be caused by swelling, and the feeling that
the cast or splint is too tight.
•
Numbness and tingling in your hand or foot, which may be caused by too
much pressure on the nerves.
•
Burning and stinging, which may be caused by too much pressure on the
skin.
•
Loss of active movement of the toes or fingers, which requires an urgent
evaluation by your doctor.
Question: How do I bathe while in my cast or splint?
Answer: Place two layers of plastic bags over your cast, and secure with
rubber bands (be sure they are not too tight) or purchase a cast cover
to keep your splint or cast dry. Be sure to keep your arm or leg out of
the water, because the water can seep in.
Question: Are waterproof casts available?
Answer: There is a cast padding which is made of Gortex material that
can be used with a fiberglass cast so you can get the cast completely wet.
It dries quickly by itself. This type of cast is not good to use for all
injuries. Your physician will let you know if he feels it would be appropriate
for you to have.
Question: How are casts removed?
Answer: Your physician or orthopedic technician/nurse are trained to
remove your cast safely. A special cast saw is used. It has a circular
blade with little “teeth” that agitate back and forth to cut
your cast. It is a bit noisy, similar to a vacuum sweeper. You have
padding under your cast, so it will feel warm and may even tickle you!
If the physician says it is okay, you may move your arm or leg after
the cast comes off. Your joints will feel stiff and sore, and your arm
or leg may look skinny and hairy. It can take up to four weeks for all the
stiffness to go away. Be sure to follow your physician’s instructions
on activities and follow-up care to ensure the best outcome for your
injury.
Question: My doctor asked me to remove my baby’s plaster cast. How
do I do this?
Answer: In some cases your physician may ask you to soak
off your child’s
clubfoot plaster cast, usually a day or two before your return appointment
for another cast application. Supplies you will need:
•
A bucket or basin that will easily hold up to a gallon of water (the
amount of water depends on the size of your child’s cast).
•
A bottle of white vinegar
•
A measuring cup
•
A small spray bottle (optional)
Important: Do not use a tub or sink for soaking casts, and do not empty
your bucket in a sink or tub. The plaster will clog the pipes.
1. Fill your bucket or basin with warm (tepid) water.
2. Place the cast in the water and wait a few minutes to moisten the
cast. You will notice that the cast softens.
3. Your doctor left a small knob of plaster on the cast. The knob will
usually loosen from soaking the cast. If it doesn’t, you can take
a spoon to pry the knot loose. Firmly grasp the knob and begin unwrapping
the cast. When it becomes difficult to pull or becomes dry, soak the
foot again for a minute or two and repeat.
4. You may also fill a spray bottle with warm water and two tablespoons
of white vinegar, which can be used to spray the cast while peeling off
the material.
It may take you one or two hours the first time soaking. You will get better
with experience and will lower your time to ten to twenty minutes per cast.
If you become frustrated, take a few minutes to rest and comfort your child.
If you have any problems, please contact our office.
Question: How do I care for my child who is in a hip spice cast?
Answer: Keeping a hip spica cast clean can is very important
and can be a real challenge. You can place a diaper or a maxi-pad over your
child to absorb most of the waste,
and place another diaper over this and tuck outer edges under the cast.
Be sure to move your child from stomach to belly regularly to prevent
sores. You can prop up your child in a beanbag chair so he/she can
be somewhat upright. Depending on your child’s size, you can pad a
wagon with pillows and blankets to transport. Be sure to check the edges
of the cast for roughness, place pedaling (pink tape your doctor will
supply) over these edges to help prevent sores and to aid in keeping the
cast clean.
