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Cast Care |
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Call
the office or return to the hospital emergency room
immediately if you experience any of the following: |
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- extreme pain
- tightness unrelieved by elevation
- progressive swelling of fingers or
toes unrelieved by elevation
- localized painful pressure
- skin burning or irritation
- new or progressive numbness or
tingling
- breakage or damage to your cast
- a wet cast which cannot be easily
dried with a hair dryer
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Instructions |
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- Keep your cast clean and dry. If it
becomes wet, a blow-dryer is useful in drying the
padding material more rapidly.
- Elevate your injured extremity the
first few days after your cast is applied. Elevation of
your injured arm or leg above your heart is best
to keep swelling down.
- If you have a cast on your hand,
exercise your fingers by opening and closing your fist.
- If you have a cast on your foot,
exercise your toes by wiggling them up and down.
- Do not scratch under your cast. If
itching is a problem, aim the hair dryer down the top of
your cast and blow cool air into the cast.
- Do not walk without the protection of
the cast shoe, indoors or out.
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Bathing |
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- Bathing with a cast must be done
cautiously to prevent moisture from entering the cast.
- If you have a cast on your arm, place
a plastic bag over the cast and tape it securely around
the upper arm, then repeat the procedure with a second
bag and ring of tape around the arm. Attempt to hold the
arm above the head while bathing.
- If you have a cast on your leg, wrap a
towel around the upper portion of the cast and then
repeat the double bag and double tape procedure as
outlined above.
- If any moisture enters the cast, it
may be removed by use of a hair dryer on a cool setting.
If you are unable to dry your cast sufficiently, contact
the office.
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