What to pay attention to while wearing a cast or splint for fracture treatment, the warning signs, and suggestions for daily life.
This guide is for general information. Recovery differs from person to person and depends on the technique used. The plan given by your own physician is what applies to you; the information here does not replace it. Any timeframes mentioned below are indicative only.
Basic Rules
- Keep the cast dry; use a waterproof cover when showering.
- Do not insert objects such as rulers, wire or pencils into the cast to scratch — this risks skin injury and infection.
- Do not cut or break the edges of the cast yourself.
- Keep the arm or leg above heart level as much as possible.
- Move the fingers or toes regularly; this reduces swelling and prevents stiffness.
Warning Signs
Contact your physician or an emergency department without waiting in the following situations:
- Bluish discolouration, paleness or marked coldness of the fingers or toes
- Increasing numbness or tingling
- A bad smell or discharge coming from inside the cast
- Progressively increasing pain that does not settle with elevation
- Cracking, softening or wetting of the cast
Daily Life
- Support the arm or leg with a pillow while sleeping.
- Use support when going up and down stairs with a casted leg; do not rush.
- Use crutches in the way your physician has described.
- Choose loose, easy-to-put-on clothing.
After the Cast Comes Off
When the cast is removed, dry skin, dead skin and thinning of the muscles are expected findings. The joint may feel stiff for a while. In this period, movement and strengthening exercises are at least as important a part of recovery as union of the fracture itself.
When to Seek Medical Help Without Delay
- Fever above 38 °C (100.4 °F) or shivering
- Increasing redness, warmth or discharge at the wound site
- Pain that keeps increasing and is not controlled by pain medication
- One-sided pain, swelling and tenderness in the calf
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Sudden deformity or loss of function in the operated area
These signs require urgent assessment. Outside office hours, go to the nearest emergency department.
Related Pages
The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace the specific instructions of your physician. Ask your doctor about anything you are unsure of.