Cast or Splint Care, Adult
Casts and splints are supports that are worn to protect broken bones and other injuries. For instance, a cast may hold a bone still and in the correct position while it heals. Casts and splints may also help ease pain, swelling, and muscle spasms.
A cast is a hardened support usually made of fiberglass or plaster. It is custom-fit to the body and offers more protection than a splint. It cannot be taken on and off. A splint is a type of soft support, usually made from cloth and elastic. It can be adjusted or taken off as needed.
You may need a cast or a splint if you:
• Have a broken bone.
• Have a soft-tissue injury.
• Need to keep an injured body part from moving (immobile) after surgery.
HOW TO CARE FOR A CAST OR SPLINT …show more content…
Sticking something in the cast increases your risk of infection.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your health care provider about any concerns.
• You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
• Keep the cast clean.
• If the cast is not waterproof:
○ Do not let it get wet.
○ Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
If you have a splint:
• Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
• Loosen the splint if your fingers or toes become numb and tingle, or if they turn cold and blue.
• Keep the splint clean.
• If the splint is not waterproof:
○ Do not let it get wet.
○ Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
Bathing
• Do not take baths or swim until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers. Your may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your cast or splint is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or
Casts and splints are supports that are worn to protect broken bones and other injuries. For instance, a cast may hold a bone still and in the correct position while it heals. Casts and splints may also help ease pain, swelling, and muscle spasms.
A cast is a hardened support usually made of fiberglass or plaster. It is custom-fit to the body and offers more protection than a splint. It cannot be taken on and off. A splint is a type of soft support, usually made from cloth and elastic. It can be adjusted or taken off as needed.
You may need a cast or a splint if you:
• Have a broken bone.
• Have a soft-tissue injury.
• Need to keep an injured body part from moving (immobile) after surgery.
HOW TO CARE FOR A CAST OR SPLINT …show more content…
Sticking something in the cast increases your risk of infection.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your health care provider about any concerns.
• You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
• Keep the cast clean.
• If the cast is not waterproof:
○ Do not let it get wet.
○ Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
If you have a splint:
• Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
• Loosen the splint if your fingers or toes become numb and tingle, or if they turn cold and blue.
• Keep the splint clean.
• If the splint is not waterproof:
○ Do not let it get wet.
○ Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
Bathing
• Do not take baths or swim until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers. Your may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your cast or splint is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or