Your injury has been fitted with a plaster cast to protect it. You have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following instructions will help look after your cast and you.
Care of your plaster cast
You should:
- Keep the limb elevated when resting.
- Move the joints (not in the cast) through their full range of movement, especially your fingers, toes and shoulders.
You should not:
- Allow the cast to get wet.
- Try drying the plaster with any heat source as this could cause a burn.
- Scratch the skin beneath the plaster, or stick anything such as knitting needles inside the cast.
If the plaster has been applied to your leg see this document about reducing your risk of developing a blood clot.
Go to your nearest Emergency department at once if:
- There is an increase in pain in the limb.
- Your limb becomes numb.
- There is an increase in swelling.
- Your fingers or toes are discoloured.
- The plaster is cracked or breaking, do not try to fix the cast yourself.
Please remember:
Never try to remove the cast yourself.
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