How tight should a cast be after injury?
Your cast should feel very snug, maybe even tight, for the first few days after your injury. This is normal. A cast is meant to help your injury heal by protecting it from movement.
How do I know if my cast is tight?
A cast is meant to help your injury heal by protecting it from movement. Feeling a reasonable amount of tightness means the cast is doing its’ job! If your cast is too tight, you’ll probably know it within the first 24 – 48 hours. This does not happen often, but it’s good to know what to look for.
How can I prevent my cast from becoming too tight?
Reducing the amount of swelling will help reduce your discomfort and decrease the risk of your cast becoming too tight. Elevate your cast above your heart line if possible. This will help drain the blood and fluids away from the injured area.
How much looseness in a cast is acceptable?
Therefore, some looseness is acceptable unless you feel the cast rubbing on your heel, ankle, wrist, elbow, etc. or have excess movement. Your cast is CRACKED or DAMAGED.
How do you check if a cast is too tight?
your plaster cast still feels too tight after keeping it elevated for 24 hours. you experience persistent itching or a burning sensation under the cast. your fingers or toes on the affected limb feel swollen, tingly, painful (even after taking painkillers) or numb. your fingers or toes turn blue or white.
Is a cast meant to be tight?
Your cast was applied in such a way as to minimize excessive movement and therefore should be snug but NOT too tight (there is a difference!). for an ARM cast, raise it as high above your heart as possible (overhead if necessary). for a LEG cast, lie down and prop your leg up on several pillows.
When should cast discomfort be a concern?
A fever (higher than 100 F for child and 101 F for adult) Numbness, tingling, burning, or stinging in the injured arm or leg. Sores under the cast. Pain or swelling that gets worse.
Can a cast be wrapped too tight?
New pain or numbness may mean that the cast or splint is too tight. You should also call your doctor right away if you have new pain that develops in another area (for example, pain in your fingers or forearm if you have a wrist or thumb injury, or pain in your toes or calf if you have an ankle or foot injury).
Is it normal to have pain while in a cast?
Because bones, torn ligaments, tendons, and other tissues can take weeks or months to heal, you may be stuck with your cast for a while. Although the pain may ease after a few weeks, the discomfort - swelling, itchiness, or soreness - may last the entire time.
Should a broken bone hurt in a cast?
Almost all broken bones and torn ligaments cause pain. The cast should relieve some pain by limiting your movements. Usually your pain will be less severe each day. If you were given pain medication to use, follow the directions on the package.
How do you deal with a claustrophobic cast?
Possible treatment measures include anticipatory conversation prior to cast application, using a removable splint in place of a cast, cognitive behavioural therapy and anxiolytic medication (1-5).
What to avoid while wearing a cast?
Do not stick objects such as coat hangers inside the splint or cast to scratch itching skin. Do not apply powders or deodorants to itching skin. If itching persists, contact your doctor. If something gets stuck inside your cast, it may irritate your skin, so contact your doctor.
Is it normal for fingers to go numb in a cast?
Be aware of numbness, tingling, sensation of the limb “falling asleep,” coldness of the casted/splinted extremity and discoloration of the fingers or toes. If any of these symptoms occur, go to the EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY!
What happens if a cast is put on wrong?
While it may not seem like too much of an issue, putting a cast on a patient too tight can actually cause permanent damage. This is because a cast that is too tight will restrict blood flow to the limb, will put excessive pressure on the nerves, and may even cause atrophy of the muscles or tendons in the limb.
Is it normal for your fingers to swell in a cast?
Swelling and Pain For the first few days after the cast or splint has been put on, your child's fingers or toes may be swollen. Keep the hurt arm or leg raised above the level of the heart as much as possible. This helps to keep the swelling down, and will make the child more comfortable.
Can a tight cast cause nerve damage?
Compartment syndrome: This is a major complication caused by a tight or rigid cast that constricts a swollen limb. When the pressure inside the cast builds up, it can cause damage to the muscles, nerves or blood vessels in the area covered by the cast.
How to make a cast more comfortable?
To make yourself more comfortable, elevate the cast above your heart with pillows. Elevating the cast helps to reduce swelling and pain. You can use more pillows to prevent excessive movement of the affected limb. 3
How to tell if you have a cast?
There are times when you may need help. If you have any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a problem that may require further evaluation or treatment: 1 1 Pain or swelling that is not adequately controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor 2 Worsening numbness or tingling in the extremity (hand or foot) 3 Inability to move your fingers or toes beyond the cast 4 Circulation problems in your hand or foot (check by pressing down on a fingernail or toenail; the skin beneath should turn whitish but quickly turn pink again when pressure is released) 5 Loosening, splitting, or breaking of the cast 6 Unusual odors, sensations, or wounds beneath the cast 7 If you develop a fever or unexplained illness
What are the symptoms of a cast?
If you have any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a problem that may require further evaluation or treatment: 1 . Pain or swelling that is not adequately controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Worsening numbness or tingling in the extremity (hand or foot) Inability to move your fingers or toes beyond the cast.
What happens when you remove a cast?
When your doctor removes your cast, they will use a saw specially designed to not harm the person wearing the cast. Trying to use other tools to remove a cast can be dangerous and cause significant injury. If you feel there is a problem with your cast, and it needs to be removed or replaced, see your doctor for help.
Can you put water under a cast?
There are also commercially produced cast covers. If you get water under your cast and it wasn't made to tolerate water, you should certainly let your doctor know as the cast may need to be replaced. 4 Ways to Keep Your Cast Dry.
Can you keep a cast dry?
One of the most challenging aspects of having a cast is keeping it dry . While there are waterproof options or cast materials that are made to tolerate being wet, most people have to find a way to keep the cast dry. Fortunately, others before you have come up with solutions to this problem.
How to heal a cast?
DO EXERCISE/MOVE YOUR FINGERS/TOES FREQUENTLY. This helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and generally aids the healing process when your cast is finally removed.
How long does a fiberglass cast last?
Cast and Splint Care. Your new synthetic fiberglass cast will harden very quickly and will completely dry in about one hour. Although your cast is very lightweight, durable and should last until your next appointment, you must be careful to not participate in activities that will damage it or your underlying skin (i.e.
What can you not put in your casing?
DO NOT PUT ANYTHING INTO YOUR CAST!!! NO coat hangers, rulers, pens, pencils, nail files, chop sticks, drumsticks, knives, screwdrivers, coins, powder, lotion, perfume, sand or anything else that could irritate or seriously harm your skin (and possibly lead to an infection). Furthermore, you might tear away the padding or cause it to bunch up, thus creating a potential pressure point (or a tourniquet effect in some cases). Itching is often “psychological” but can be aggravated from other causes such as dry skin: “Itching usually prompts scratching, which can sometimes lead to a vicious itch-scratch cycle. Scratching can initially feel so satisfying – but prolonged scratching just leaves you with irritated skin that can still itch! Since scratching provides only temporary relief and doesn’t promote healing of the underlying problem, it is best to avoid scratching if at all possible. If scratching breaks open the skin, bacterial infection can set in … The best way to allow irritated skin to heal is to stop scratching it…” ( www.MedicineNet.com, “Itch: Scratching Below the Surface”).
How to get rid of itching on cast?
Change your current activity to get your mind off the nuisance itching or blow cool air into the cast ends.
How to get rid of swelling in leg from arm cast?
for an ARM cast, raise it as high above your heart as possible (overhead if necessary). for a LEG cast, lie down and prop your leg up on several pillows. NOTE: the sitting position normally does NOT effectively relieve swelling/tightness! You need to lie down and elevate high for MAXIMUM pain relief.
How much does castblast cost?
Purchase Castblast® Talc Spray for safe, fast itch and odor relief. Ask your pharmacist or order from various retail businesses such as Broken Beauties, LLC ($11.95 each) at 1-866-692-1916 or their website www.BrokenBeauties.com. If you had surgery, consult with your doctor before using this product!!!
How long should you keep a cold bag after a cast?
DO USE AN ICE/COLD PACK FOR THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS AFTER AN INJURY. The cold will filter through your cast to help relieve swelling and/or pain (make sure the bag does not leak!).
How to ice a cast?
The best way to ice your injury is with an ice pack, or dry plastic bag filled with ice and wrapped loosely around the cast at the point of injury. Icing is most effective when it covers the surface of the cast.
What to do if your cast is red?
If the skin around your cast becomes red or raw, consult with your doctor.
What does it mean when your limb is swollen after cast?
Excessive swelling of your limb below the cast could be a signal that swelling and pressure are impeding your blood circulation. If you lose the ability to move your fingers or toes, call your doctor immediately—this is a condition that requires evaluation without delay.
Why does my foot feel numb after a cast?
Pain, numbness, or tingling in your hand of foot could be a sign that swelling is causing too much pressure inside your cast, and affecting your nerves. Burning, stinging skin could be signaling too much pressure on the skin inside the cast.
Can you wear a cast after surgery?
No one looks forward to the restriction of a cast following an injury or surgical procedure. Casts have a reputation for being clumsy and uncomfortable—but when is discomfort a sign that something may be wrong? There are some things you can do to stay comfortable during this stretch of your recovery—and some warning signs to know that should trigger a phone call to your doctor.
