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How tight is a cast supposed to be?
Proper Cast Fit Your cast should feel very snug, maybe even tight, for the first few days after your injury. This is normal. A cast is meant to help your injury heal by protecting it from movement. Feeling a reasonable amount of tightness means the cast is doing its’ job!
Is a cast meant to be loose?
A cast can become too loose, especially after the initial bout of swelling subsides. A child should not be able to remove the cast or significantly move the affected limb under the cast. Being able to place one or two fingers under a cast is appropriate.
Can a loose cast cause pain?
The cast keeps your bone or joint from moving so it can heal. But it also can cause discomfort and problems, from an annoying itch to a serious infection.
Can a cast be put on wrong?
Putting a cast on properly can be tricky. This is because the doctor needs to balance the need for a sturdy and tight fit to keep the fractured bone from shifting during the healing process, but also not casting it too tight to cause damage to the limb.
How do you tell if a plaster cast is too loose?
Check daily to be sure the cast is not too tight or too loose. If you feel tightness, pain, tingling, numbness, or you can’t move your toes/fingers, or if there is swelling, elevate your leg/arm on a pillow for one hour.
Do casts loosen over time?
Also, if your injury is swollen, both splints and casts may need to be adjusted in the first few days. As the swelling goes down, a cast or splint may become too loose.
How long does a cast take to harden?
After the process of applying the casting material is completed, the material will start to dry in about 10 to 15 minutes. The temperature of the skin might rise as the plaster is drying because of a chemical reaction that occurs. When plaster is used, it can take from 1 to 2 days for the cast to harden completely.
What should you not do while wearing a cast?
Call your healthcare provider or orthopaedic expert.
- Don’t get your cast wet. A plaster cast may disintegrate if it gets wet.
- Don’t stick anything in your cast. During your recovery, the skin under your cast may itch.
- Don’t apply lotions, powders or deodorant to the skin under the cast. They may cause bacteria growth.
Is it normal for a cast to be too loose?
Your cast is TOO LOOSE. It is normal for your muscles to atrophy (i.e. weaken and reduce in size) while in the cast; also any swelling present during the cast application will normally decrease. Therefore, some looseness is acceptable unless you feel the cast rubbing on your heel, ankle, wrist, elbow, etc. or have excess movement.
What should I do when my cast is removed?
DO EXERCISE/MOVE YOUR FINGERS/TOES FREQUENTLY. This helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and generally aids the healing process when your cast is finally removed. DO ELEVATE YOUR CAST ABOVE HEART LEVEL FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTE INTERVALS. This will greatly help reduce soft tissue damage, inflammation, swelling and muscle spasm. Elevate your cast…
What to do when your child’s cast is tight?
Swelling can cause your child’s cast to feel tight and uncomfortable. To reduce swelling: Elevate the affected area. For the first 24 to 72 hours after your child’s cast is applied, use pillows to raise the cast above the level of your child’s heart. Your child will need to recline if the cast is on a leg.
How to reduce swelling after a cast is applied?
To reduce swelling: 1 Elevate the affected area. For the first 24 to 72 hours after your child’s cast is applied, use pillows to raise the cast above the level of your child’s heart. 2 Apply ice. Loosely wrap an ice pack covered in a thin towel around your child’s cast at the level of the injury. 3 Keep moving.