General Cast and Splint Care

Casts and splints provide limb support after a fracture or surgery. They may also be used to stretch the muscles in a limb. The cast or splint keeps the arm or leg in the proper position and prevents or reduces movement.

Casts and splints are ordered by your provider to stabilize your limbs (arms and legs) after a fracture or surgery. They are also used to stretch muscles or shape the growth of your body. Casts and splints are made of plaster, fiberglass, or a combination of both materials. These materials are molded to the body or limb to immobilize (keep still) a specific area of your body. Both plaster and fiberglass harden in three to five minutes, but plaster is not completely dry for 24 to 72 hours. During this period the plaster may break or dent, so it’s important to be very careful if the cast must be handled.

Keep the cast or splint dry — we recommend sponge baths

It’s important to keep your cast or splint dry at all times. A cast or splint getting wet can cause it to trap moisture and hold it against the skin, which can cause foul odors and skin issues. Do not wrap the cast or splint in a bag and attempt to bathe or swim with it—the casting material is abrasive and pokes small holes in the bag, which makes it difficult to know (until it’s too late) when water has gotten into the padding. If your cast or splint is made of plaster, it will also soften when wet and won't maintain proper support during healing. If the cast or splint gets wet, it should be evaluated as soon as possible. Please call Telehealth Nursing right away if your cast or splint becomes wet. For hygiene while wearing a cast or splint, Gillette recommends sponge baths rather than showers or soaking baths. Dressing appropriately for the weather and maintaining good bathroom habits are also key to keeping the cast or splint dry.

Keep the cast or splint clean 

Check the cast or splint regularly for drainage or unusual odors, as they might be a sign of a problem under the padding. It is important to keep foreign material out of the cast or splint. Avoid playgrounds, sandboxes, beaches, or any areas containing sand, woodchips, pea gravel, or recycled rubber pieces. This small debris can easily get stuck inside the cast or splint and cause skin irritation, rashes, or sores. If anything gets lodged inside the cast or splint, please contact Telehealth Nursing right away. Refrain from using lotions or powders under the cast or splint, because these can also cause skin irritation.  

It is OK to write on the cast with permanent markers (non-permanent markers will transfer to clothing and bedding). 

Keep the cast or splint intact

For the cast or splint to do what it is designed to do, it needs to stay intact until your scheduled date of removal. To prevent further personal injury or damage to the cast or splint, we recommend keeping both feet on the ground at all times. This means avoiding climbing, hanging from anything, jumping, running, and riding on anything with wheels (such as a bike, rollerblades, hoverboards, etc.).  

It's easy to shift the padding inside the cast or splint, which can cause circulation problems or skin issues, so refrain from picking or pulling things out of it of the cast or splint. Do not stick anything inside of the cast or splint, including your fingers. If the cast or splint cracks or breaks, or the padding has been disrupted, it needs to be repaired or replaced. Please contact Telehealth Nursing right away if this happens. 

Check daily to ensure that the cast is not too tight or too loose. A cast that has become too tight could limit the blood supply to the limb or damage nerves.

Check daily to ensure the cast or splint is not too tight or too loose. A cast or splint that has become too tight could limit the blood supply to the limb or damage nerves. 

• Toes and fingers in the cast or splint should stay pink and feel warm to the touch. To test for proper blood circulation, apply pressure to the fingernail or toenail. The nail should turn pink within 5 seconds after the pressure is released.
• Swelling in a cast or splint is common, especially after surgery. To minimize discomfort and relieve swelling during healing, elevate your arm or leg above your heart as often as possible and apply ice wherever needed—just avoid icebags that create condensation or can potentially leak. Consider that the cast or splint cools along with the skin, so the cooling effect will continue once the ice is removed. 
• You should be able to move your fingers and toes, unless they are immobilized and/or should not be moved. There should be no numbness, tingling, or pain. 
• Do not use anything to scratch under the cast or splint. Scratching might break the skin and cause an infection. It may also shift padding, leading to pressure sores, tourniquets, or a cast saw injury during removal. 
• If the lower leg has been casted or splinted, place a towel or small pillow under the calf to allow the heel to "float" in space. This helps prevent pressure sores on the heel in post-surgical or non-ambulatory patients. 

Cast or splint problems, particularly those affecting movement, sensation, and/or circulation of the limb are all considered serious, since permanent damage to the limb can occur in a short period of time. Report any of the following to your provider as soon as possible: 

• Swelling, tingling, or numbness that does not go away after elevating the limb. 
• Pain that does not get better with prescribed medicine or elevation. 
• Excessive irritability for no apparent reason. 
• A new stain coming from inside the cast or splint. 
• Unusual or foul odors from the cast or splint (sweat odor is normal). 
• Changes in color or temperature in the toes or fingers. 
• Skin irritation or rashes. 
• Fingers or toes appearing to have slipped back into the cast or splint. 
• A cast or splint feeling too tight or too loose (movement of the cast up or down). 
• Cracking/breaking of the cast or splint, allowing movement of the limbs. 
• Painful rubbing or burning inside the cast or splint.
• The cast or splint gets wet. 
• Unexplained fever of 101.5 or greater. 
• A foreign object inside the cast or splint. 

Contact a Telehealth nurse.

Call 651-229-3890 Mondays–Fridays, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sundays and Holidays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Call 800-719-4040 (toll-free) all other times — or any time from outside the Twin Cities.

Burnsville Clinic: 952-223-3400

Maple Grove Clinic: 763-496-6000

View General Cast Care Video here

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