711 Lawn Avenue
Sellersville, PA 18960
(215) 257-3700 phone
(215) 257-0360 fax

CARE OF YOUR CAST

1. Keep your cast dry! To shower or bath, wrap a towel around top of cast and secure well. Cover cast and towel with plastic bag. Secure bag tightly above towel. If in a leg cast, tub bathing and hanging leg over the side of the tub works best. If arm cast, holding arm while showering will help help to prevent water leaking into bag. Commercially made cast covers are available for purchase at Grand View Brace Shop or at other medical supply companies. 

2. If cast should happen to get wet, you need to blow it dry so that your skin does not break down and possibly become infected under the cast. To dry with blow dryer, use the following approximate time guidelines:
   
           A. Short arm cast - 1 to 1 1/2 hours
           B. Long arm cast - 1 to 2 hours
           C. Short leg cast - 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours
           D. Long leg or cylinder cast - 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours
   

3. If you are over 20 years old and are placed in a leg cast, the doctors advise that you take one aspirin tablet two times a day to keep your blood slightly thinned for the duration of your cast. DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ASPIRIN OR IF YOU ARE ON A BLOOD THINNER, i.e.: COUMADIN, OR A HISTORY OF STOMACH ULCERS. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING CALF PAIN AND CRAMPING OR CHEST PAIN, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE. 

4. It is advisable to apply ice for 20 minutes four times a day or more often to reduce pain and swelling for 48 hours after soft tissue injury or fracture. 

5. It is advisable to elevate the injured limb above the level of your heart as much as possible the first 48 hours after a soft tissue injury or fracture. This is best achieved by propping your arm on a stack of pillows by your side, or for a leg injury, lie down on a bed or sofa and putting a stack of four to five pillows under your leg and heel. 

6. You may notice increased swelling in fingers or toes, and tightness of the cast when arm or leg is hanging down. If this happens, try elevating affected limb more frequently.

7. If problems persist after trying these suggestions, or you have any other problems, please call our office 215-257-3700 

8. PLEASE NOTE: Spring and summer, after cast removal - be careful to watch skin exposure. Skin that has been under a cast will burn very easily. Keep that area covered or use a generous amount of a sunscreen. If you fail to do this, you may develop a severe sunburn. 

9. PLEASE DO NOT STICK ANYTHING IN YOUR CAST.

10. If you are driving a car and have an accident or are involved in a traffic violation, it is up to the discretion of the police officer to determine if your cast interfered with your ability to drive. 

© 2001
Upper Bucks Orthopaedics
All rights reserved.