Care of Casts

Care of Casts     A cast immobilizes a part of the body that has been injured. Casts are used most commonly after bone fractures.
    Casts are usually applied by placing a splint along the injured part and wrapping it with gauze saturated with plaster of Paris. Before the injury heals, it may be necessary to change the cast one or more times. The time needed for healing determines how long a cast remains in place. Some casts are needed for only two weeks. Others are necessary for several months.
    X-rays through a cast revel whether bone alignment is satisfactory. they are also used in later stages to check for signs of healing.

After Leaving the Doctor's-

Don't allow pressure on any part of the cast-no matter what type of casting material was used-until it is completely dry. Drying time varied depending on the type of material used, thickness of the cast, temperature and humidity.
Keep the cast dry, especially at first. If the cast accidentally gets wet and a soft area appears return to the doctor's office for repairs.
Whenever possible, raise the body part enclosed in the cast. This decreases the chance of tissue swelling inside the cast.

Swelling Inside the Cast-
No matter how careful the injured tissues are handled, and no matter how expertly the cast is applied, swelling sometimes occurs inside the cast. Swelling should be reported immediately to the doctor. the following are commons symptoms and signs of swelling:

Severe pain
Change in color of tissues beyond the cast, such as a change to blue or gray under the fingernails or toenails.
Coldness of the tissues beyond the cast
Numbness or complete loss of feeling in the skin beyond the cast
Feeling of tightness under the cast after it dries

Infection Inside the Cast-
Sometimes the injured area becomes infected during healing. Detecting the infection in early stages may be difficult if the infected area is covered by a cast. Infection should be reported immediately. The following are signs and symptoms of infection:

Leakage of fluid through the cast
Pain or soreness of the skin under the cast
Fever accompanied by general ill feeling

Itching Inside a Cast-
Itching can be a maddening problem for a person with a cast-especially during hot weather. Even if you can reach the itch, don't scratch the skin inside the cast. Because the skin is in a hot moist environment, it is very vulnerable to damage. Scratching is more likely to injure the skin under normal circumstances.

Bathing With a Cast-
You may find bathing difficult wearing a cast. the cast must be kept dry at all times, so do not take showers. If the cast is on a limb, such as your arm or leg, you may take tub baths. Position a chair or other support by the tub so you can prop the injured part out of the water. If the cast is on the trunk part of the body, take sponge baths until the cast is removed.

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R.I.C.E Care of Casts Nutrition for Athletes Emergency First Aid