What is a cast?

A cast is a brace or support that helps broken bones heal more quickly and in the proper position.

Home care

Keep the cast exposed to air for the first 48 hours to dry completely.

Do not put pressure on the cast for the first 48 hours.

Walk on leg casts only as instructed by our office and only after the cast is completely dry.

Keep the cast elevated on pillows above the level of his heart as much as possible; this will decrease swelling and speed healing.

Use ice for 20 minutes at a time, 4-5 times a day for 3 days.

Put ice in a water-tight plastic bag or ice bag and place it over the cast.

Some pain/soreness is to be expected. Use pain medications prescribed by our office or use acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, or Panadol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin ®) for pain and discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen if your child is dehydrated or unable to take anything by mouth.

Follow the package instructions to determine the appropriate dose by your child's WEIGHT or age for acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Do not use aspirin because of the increased risk of Reye's Syndrome with certain infections.

Your child may bathe (if old enough) or you may bathe your child as long as you cover the cast and do not submerge it under water. A special cast cover or garbage bag secured with duct tape may be used.

Do not slide objects between the cast and the skin.

If the cast does get wet, use a hair dryer at the coolest setting to dry it off.

Warning signs - Call our office for advice if:

Your child's fingers or toes or nailbeds look swollen, pale, cold, or blue, call our office now.

Your child's fingers or toes are numb or tingling, call our office now.

Your child cannot move his fingers or toes, call our office now.

Your child's pain is getting worse, call our office now.

Your child's cast has a bad odor, call our office for an appointment.

You see red or open areas on the skin, call our office now.

Cracks or soft spots develop on the cast, call our office for an appointment.

Your child is less than 6 months old and has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, call our office now.

Your child is older than 6 months and has a temperature greater than 102.5 degrees F, call our office now.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child's symptoms, call our office now.