Handle it carefully; use palms of hands instead of fingers to prevent indentation in the cast.
Allow air to circulate around it.
Turn cast every two hours to ensure even drying.
Place cast on an absorbent material to aid in drying.
Do not bear weight on new cast for at least 48 hours.
If prescribed by physician, apply ice to cast for the first 24 hours to decrease pain and swelling.
Expect cast to feel warm as it dries.
Inspect skin regularly for irritation.
Petal edges of cast with adhesive tape or mole skin to decrease irritation.
Do not insert objects into the cast (if itchiness occurs, blow cool air into the cast or apply ice.)
Perform isometric exercises to maintain muscle tone under the cast.
Assess for signs and symptoms of nerve or circulatory impairment frequently by checking color, edema, temperature, pain, or numbness or tingling below cast.
Avoid getting cast wet.
Have regular checkups.
Report any breaks in the cast to the physician.
Complication:
Edema
Preventive Measures:
Exercise joints above and below the cast.
Elevate extremity above your head.
Apply ice if swelling occurs.
Constipation
Preventive Measures:
Eat a diet high in bulk and roughage.
Take stool softeners as needed.
Renal calculi
Preventive Measures:
Increase fluids to 203 quarts per day (if not contraindicated).
Pressure sores and skin irritation
Preventive Measures:
Petal edges of cast with small strips of tape.
Change positions frequently.
Complication:
Impaired blood supply
Signs and symptoms:
Lack of pulse
Skin pale and cool.
Numbness, tingling, prickling.
Complication:
Nerve damage
Signs and symptoms:
Increasing localized pain.
Numbness, tingling, prickling.
Feelings of deep pressure.
Weakness or paralysis not noticed before.
Infection
Signs and symptoms:
Musty odor over cast.
Hot spot or warmth on cast.
Pain.
Drainage.
Cast syndrome
Signs and symptoms:
Prolonged nausea and vomiting.
Abdominal distention.