Casts and splints support injured limbs and keep bones and joints from moving while they heal. It is important to care for your cast or splint at home.

Do’s:

  • Keep the cast or splint dry! Wet casts or splints can lose their shape and may lead to infections.
    • Cover the cast or splint with a plastic bag when bathing or when out in the rain. You may need to do sponge baths while in the cast.
    • If your cast gets wet, dry it with a blow dryer on the cool setting.
    • If the cast still feels wet or damp on the inside, please contact us at 940-299-HAND within 24-28 hours.
  • Keep your cast or splint clean. Casts may be wiped with a moistened cloth.
  • Elevate your injured arm or leg on pillows to heart level for the first few days to decrease swelling and pain. This includes lying down and bending your hip or knee up if the cast is on your leg. Wiggle the fingers or toes often.

Don’ts:

  • Do not rest the cast on anything harder than a pillow for the first 24 hours.
  • Do not put weight on your injured limb until your doctor gives you permission.
  • Do not place any hard or soft objects under your cast or splint. This includes lotion, cotton, toilet paper, or powder. If an object gets stuck in your cast, please notify us during within 24-48 hours.
  • Do not try to scratch the skin under the cast with an object. The object may become stuck inside the cast and cause a wound or infection to develop. If your cast itches, please use a blow dryer on the cool setting, or take a Benadryl.
  • Do not remove, trim, or cut your cast. Do not pull out the padding. If your cast is irritating your skin, please let us know, and we’ll be more than happy to trim the cast, place moleskin over troublesome areas, or replace the cast.

Please contact us if:

  • Your cast or splint cracks, breaks, or becomes too tight or loose.
  • Fluid or blood leaks out from the cast, of if an odor/smell develops.
  • You develop pain or soreness in new areas under the cast.
  • The cast or splint gets wet, or if an object becomes stuck under the cast.

Please seek immediate medical care if:

  • The cast or splint becomes tight & painful despite elevating, or your fingers or toes turn white.
  • You develop numbness or tingling in the injured limb that does not resolve within a few minutes of elevation.