Plaster Cast Care

The following will help you care for your cast:

• It will take up to 48 hours for the plaster cast to fully harden. Don't put weight on the cast during that time or it may break.

• To prevent swelling under the cast, do this for the first 48 hours:

  • If the cast is on your arm, keep it in a sling or raised to shoulder level when sitting or standing. Rest it on your chest or on a pillow at your side when lying down.

  • If the cast is on your leg, keep it propped up above the level of your hip when sitting or lying. Sleep with the cast raised on a few pillows. Avoid crutch walking as much as possible during this time.

• Keep the cast completely dry at all times. Bathe with your cast well out of the water. Protect it with a large plastic bag kept in place with a rubber band or tape. A wet cast will soften and not protect your injury. A wet cast may also cause skin problems.

• If itching develops, you can:

  • Set a hair dryer to cool and blow air under the cast

  • Ask your healthcare provider about taking anti-itch medicines like diphenhydramine

  • Put an ice pack on the affected area. Wrap the ice pack in a towel first

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• The cast becomes wet or soft, or it cracks

• Bad odor comes from the cast or fluid from the wound stains the cast

• Tightness or pressure under the cast increases

• Fingers or toes become swollen, cold, blue, numb, or tingly

• Pain under the cast gets worse

• Cast becomes too loose

• Loss of movement of fingers or toes

• Fever or chills