Every effort is made to give you a comfortable cast is functional. There are a few guidelines that you need to be aware of with your new cast:
During the first 24 to 48 hours you may experience swelling.
Follow the steps:
- Keep your cast elevated above the heart to avoid or illuminate swelling.
- Apply ice. Use a ziploc bag or ice pack which can extend at least half way around the cast. Rigid containers or bags that only touch a small area will not work. Make sure the ice pack is wrapped in plastic or a clean dry cloth to keep the cast dry.
- Move you were an injured or swollen fingers or toes often to promote circulation.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact our office immediately:
- Increased pain or swelling.
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or foot.
- A burning or stinging sensation. Bleeding or draining from the cast.
- Rubbing at the heel or elbow.
- A fever or chills.
- Damage or wetness to the cast or if the cast feels loose.
- Please do not stick anything down your cast such as a coat hanger or ruler to attempt to scratch in it. The skin under your cast is very sensitive and you may damage your skin by doing so.
- Cast in anyway. Trimming or removal of padding from the cast will compromise the integrity of the cast.
- Always keep your hands dry. Even though some synthetic cast or a booster resistant, the cast pad is not. Damp padding next to the skin can cause irritation. Use a blow dryer on cold or no heat to dry your cast as it becomes damp. Notify our office if the cast because wet or soft and cannot be dried.
- If you find an area on your cast that is bothersome, please call the office so that we can make it comfortable for you.