What is a cast used for?

A cast holds a broken bone (fracture) in place and prevents the area around it from moving as it heals. Casts also help prevent or decrease muscle contractions and help keep the injured area immobile, especially after surgery, which can also help decrease pain.

What is the purpose of a cast?

Casts and splints are orthopedic devices that are used to protect and support broken or injured bones and joints. They help to immobilize the injured limb to keep the bone in place until it fully heals.

What injuries require a cast?

Casts and splints may be used to help treat broken bones and injured joints and tendons, or after surgery involving bones, joints, or tendons. The purpose of a cast or splint is to immobilize a bone or joint while it heals from injury.

Why do doctors put a cast on?

Casts are used to protect and immobilize bones and joints in order to support injured limbs while they heal. Although casts can feel awkward at first, they play a big role in how fast your injury can heal.

How long does a cast stay on?

A cast can help keep the injured area from moving so you can heal faster without risk of repeated injury. How long you'll need to wear your cast depends on the type of injury you have and how serious it is. Normally casts are worn between 4 and 6 weeks.

Everything You Need to Know About Casts and Cast Care

When can a cast be removed?

Casts or braces that are used for fracture treatment are usually used for these same time periods – a typical wrist or ankle fracture usually requires 6 weeks of immobilisation and a typical fracture of a finger or toe usually requires 4 weeks of immobilisation.

Does a cast help with pain?

Casts and splints relieve some pain and reduce swelling, too. They help it heal by keeping broken ends together and as straight as possible. Casts and splints help keep the injured area from moving. This helps the injury heal faster without risk of repeated injury.

What to expect after a cast is removed?

After having a cast removed, it is normal to experience pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion in the area(s) that were immobilized. Symptoms can last up to twice the amount of immobilization time. For Example, if the patient was in a cast for 3-4 weeks, symptoms may last up to 6-8 weeks.

What are the three types of casts?

Can you walk on a cast?

Even if the plaster cast makes your skin feel very itchy, do not poke anything underneath it. This could cause a nasty sore and 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. The itchiness should settle down after a few days.

Are casts still used?

While fiberglass material is newer, many casts used today are still made from plaster. Plaster casts are most often used when a fracture reduction (repositioning of the bone) is performed.

Do fractures need a cast?

Casts are a common treatment for fractures. Casts are used to immobilize injured bones, promote healing, and reduce pain and swelling while the bone heals. They are sometimes put on an arm or leg after surgery to protect the bone and ensure it remains in proper alignment.

Can bone heal without cast?

Technically speaking, the answer to the question “can broken bones heal without a cast?” is yes. Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn't work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.

How do casts heal bones?

Casts and splints support and protect injured bones and soft tissue. When you break a bone, your doctor will put the pieces back together in the right position. Casts and splints hold the bones in place while they heal. They also reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasm.

Do casts smell?

Unfortunately, a cast can start to stink, and often the smell can become quite bad. Once a cast starts to smell bad, it is unlikely that it will start to smell good. Cast odor tends to be most problematic in young children and athletes. Little kids have a hard time keeping the cast dry.

Can I cut my cast off myself?

There are many reasons why it may be tempting for you to take your cast off. However, this job should only ever fall to your doctor or specialist. If you remove your cast on your own, or if you make any adjustments, you will run the risk of causing your leg or arm further damage.

Can scissors cut a cast?

NOTE: Cast shears are made to cut hard items such as Fiberglass and Plaster. They will not cut through soft items such as padding and stockinette. You need a good pair of scissors to cut the padding and stockinette. Cast shears cut the fiberglass hard part, scissor cut the soft padding.

What to avoid while wearing a cast?

Avoid placing powder, lotion or deodorant on or near the cast. Leave adjustments to your child's doctor. Don't pull the padding out of your child's cast. Don't trim the cast or break off rough edges without first asking your child's doctor.

Can I wear a brace instead of a cast?

Braces come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be used immediately following an injury or toward the end of healing, normally following removal of another type of cast.

How do you live with a cast?

Keep the cast clean: Stay away from dirt, sand, and powders, which can make itching or skin irritation worse. If you have a waterproof cast, rinsing the area with clean, cool water after excessive sweating can prevent sores and itchiness from developing. Allow the water to drain once the area is soothed.

How do you know if a broken bone is healing?

Do Broken bones hurt worse at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

How do I know if my cast is infected?

Infection. It's normal for your cast to get smelly after you've worn it for a while. But if you notice a foul odor or a discharge coming from the cast, it could mean your skin underneath is infected. Get it treated right away.