DANIEL R. YANICKO JR., M.D. ADULTS + CHILDREN
Saint Joseph Orthopedic Associates CAST CARE INSTRUCTIONS– PAGE ONE
1. SWELLING IS COMMON AFTER AN INJURY, AND NORMAL BY THE END OFTHE DAY.
THE INJURED PART SHOULD BE ELEVATED, OR PROPPED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF
YOUR HEART. MOVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR
THE FIRST 10 TO 14 DAYSTO KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN, AND ALSO TO REDUCE
JOINT STIFFNESS.
2. IF THE CAST IS PLASTER, LEAVE IT UNCOVERED TO DRY FOR 2-3 DAYS.
DON’TPUT ANY WEIGHTON THE CAST DURING THAT TIME. AFTERWARDS, YOU MAY
BEAR WEIGHTON A CAST SHOE, AS DIRECTED BY THE DOCTOR.
3. DO KEEP THE CAST AS CLEAN AND DRY AS POSSIBLE. PLASTER OR FIBERGLASS
CASTS ARE POROUSAND PERMITTHE SKIN TOBREATHE. DON’T COVER THE CAST
WITH A NON-POROUS MATERIALSUCH AS A PLASTIC BAG OR TAPE, UNLESS YOU
ARE TAKING A SHOWER.
4. DON’T GET THE CAST WET UNLESS IT IS A SPECIAL FIBERGLASS CAST….BUT EVEN
THEN, REMEMBER, IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO DRY OUT, AND WILL FEEL LIKE
YOUARE WEARING A HEAVY, SOGGY, WET SOCK. DOTRY TO BATHE WITH THE
BROKEN LIMB OUT OF THE WATER. IF YOUR CAST GETS WET AFTER A SHOWER
OR BATH, YOU CAN DRY IT OUT WITH A HAIRDRYER SET ON A LOW HEAT SETTING.
5. DO USE SOME ICE AT FIRST, TO HELP DECREASE SWELLING AND PAIN.
YOU CAN PUT THE ICE IN A ZIPLOC BAG. A SMALL BAG OF FROZEN PEAS OR CORN
MAY ALSO BE USED; THE SMALL PIECES CAN EASILY MOLD AROUND THE AFFECTED
AREA. THIS SHOULD BE USED 15 TO 20 MINUTESAT A TIME FOR THE NEXT 4-5 DAYS.
WITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, THE BAG OF FROZEN VEGGIES OR ICE SHOULDBE
WRAPPED IN A SMALL TOWEL, TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF OVER-EXPOSURE
TO THE COLD. A GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN OR INFANTS
ARE THE READY-MADE COLD PACKS AVAILABLE IN MOST PHARMACIES, OFTEN
REUSABLE WITH A PROTECTIVE COVER.
6. DON’T USE THE CAST AS A WEAPON. PHYSICAL ABUSE OF THE CAST CAN CAUSE
DAMAGE TO THECAST, AND ALLOW THE BROKEN BONES TO SHIFT OUT OF PLACE
INSIDE THE CAST.
7. DON’T PULL THE CAST PADDING OUT. IT WILL CHANGE THE FIT OF THE CAST
AND MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE. IT WILL ALSO MAKE YOU MORE LIKELY TO
DEVELOP PRESSURE SORES ON THE SKIN.
8. DON’T PUT ANYTHING DOWN INSIDE THE CAST, OR STICK THINGS UNDER
THE CAST TO SCRATCH. YOU CAN POSSIBLY CUT YOUR SKIN OR CREATE SORES;
THIS CAN LEAD TO INFECTION. ITCHING IS NORMAL. YOU MAY USE SMALL
AMOUNTS OF POWDER TO RELIEVE AND/OR PREVENT ITCHING.
DANIEL R. YANICKO JR., M.D.
Saint Joseph Orthopedic Associates CAST CAREINSTRUCTIONS - PAGE TWO
WARNING SIGNS:
1. PAIN - MODERATE DISCOMFORT IS TO BE EXPECTED. SEVERE PAIN SHOULD BE
REPORTED, AT ONCE, TO THE DOCTOR.
2. SWELLING - IF THE CAST BECOMES TOO TIGHT AND YOU CANNOT MOVE YOUR
FINGERS OR TOES EASILY, OR THEYBECOME NUMB, YOU SHOULD
CALL THE DOCTOR AT ONCE.
3. DISCOLORATION - SOME “BLACK AND BLUE” SKIN COLOR CHANGE IS NORMAL.
IF YOUR FINGERS AND TOES BECOME NUMB, AND BEGIN TO
TINGLELIKE “PINS AND NEEDLES”, OR WHITE SKIN APPEARS,
THIS IS ABNORMAL. CALL THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!
4. CAST PRESSURE SORES - ARUBBING OR STICKLY FEELING UNDER THE CAST
MAY BE A SIGN OFSKIN PRESSURE. CALL THE
DOCTOR IF YOU FEEL RUBBING OR PAIN THAT DOES
NOT GO AWAY READILY AFTER POSITION CHANGE.
PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CAST.
DANIEL R. YANICKO, JR., M.D.
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Saint Joseph Orthopedic Associates
1868 Plaudit Place, Suite A
Lexington, KY 40509-2429
PHONE: 1-859-543-0002