Health Tip: Caring For Your Cast

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In: Arthritis, Bones & Joints

(HealthDay News) — A cast or splint provides protection for bones that are fractured or otherwise injured.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions to care properly for a cast or splint:

  • Keep your cast dry to prevent weakening of the cast and skin irritation. Wrap the cast in two plastic layers or a waterproof shield while you shower.
  • If you have a walking cast, don’t actually walk on it until it is completely dry and hardened. This generally takes two or three days for plaster casts, and an hour for fiberglass casts.
  • Keep powder, sand and dirt from getting inside your cast.
  • Don’t pull out the stuffing from your cast, and never insert sharp objects to scratch.
  • Check the cast frequently for cracks or weak areas, and monitor the skin surrounding the cast. Call your doctor if you notice problems with the cast or raw/red skin.