What are normal signs and symptoms to expect when a cast is applied?

A sense of warmth and mild tightness (lasting only 15 minutes after application). Fingers or toes (depending on if its a cast on the arm vs the leg) will turn light colored blue, beefy colored red. This lasts only about 15 minutes, and then resolves.

What are abnormal signs and symptoms after a cast is applied?

Numbness, tingling, Dark blue or dark purple discoloration, extreme pain of the extremity, severe swelling. Chances of this happening are rare, however if it happens you should report to the hospital right away for cast removal. A major consequence is circulation cut off, and death of that extremity. Very important that you do not ignore these signs and symptoms!

What do you do in regards to casts getting itchy?

In general, you should NOT put any objects including your fingers down the cast! This can lead to abrasions, cuts and eventually infection to the skin. You also destroy the integrity of the cast. In dry casts: Place baby powder, or talc powder down the sides of the cast. In waterproof casts: Apply cool water down the cast for the itch. Never put powder down a waterproof cast. Doing this can ruin the cast liner, and cause skin break down.

What to do if the cast starts to smell?

Use the Orthocast Fragrance Bars, and rub them onto the outer aspect of the cast only. (not inside the cast, not on the padding). Never put perfumes, colognes, febreze, pastes, compressed air down the cast..this can destroy/shift the padding leading to pressure points causing skin break down.

 What should you do if the cast starts to break down?

Call to schedule an appointment with your orthopedist to either reinforce the cast, or apply a new cast.

What do you do if you have a dry cast that gets wet?

Get your cast changed by your orthopedist. If you ignore this and keep the wet cast on, your skin can become macerated, and breakdown. This can lead to a severe infection of the skin.

What is the difference between a weight-bearing cast and a non weight-bearing cast and what is the importance?

Weight bearing cast: You are able to apply pressure on the cast (Walk on it) with the use of a cast boot. You normally get a prescription for the cast boot that you can pick up at a local surgical supply store. If you walk without the cast boot, you can slip and fall leading to another injury. You can also break the cast. Non-Weight bearing Cast: This means you are NOT to put any type of pressure on the cast. These instructions are usually given clearly by the orthopedist. If you were to put pressure on a non-weight bearing cast, you risk displacement/shifting of the fracture, which can lead to a failure of proper healing.

What to do if you feel pain within the cast?

If you feel pain in the cast (ie. Burning, rubbing, blister sensation, sharp pains), you may be experiencing the start of a pressure sore. These sores are very common in the heel, or prominent parts of the body. If this occurs, you should call your orthopedist for cast removal and observation of the skin to rule out a pressure sore.

If a part of the cast is irritating, or cutting into the skin?

Call your orthopedist, and you can possibly have the cast trimmed or replaced with a new cast.