Taking care of your plaster cast

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How should I care for my plaster cast?

Plaster casts are made up of a bandage and a hard covering (usually plaster of Paris). They allow broken bones in the arm or leg to heal by holding them in place, and usually need to stay on for between 4 to 12 weeks.

Taking good care of your cast will help ensure a better recovery.

Plaster cast care advice:

• Keep your arm or leg raised on a soft surface such as a pillow for as long as possible in the first few days. This will help any swelling to go down and will help the cast dry correctly.
• Don’t get your plaster cast wet. This will weaken it, and your bone will no longer be properly supported.
• You can discuss the use of waterproof protectors with the healthcare professional who consults with you or the plaster technicians.
• If the plaster cast makes your skin feel very itchy, don’t be tempted to poke anything underneath it in order to scratch the skin, as this could cause a nasty sore. The itchiness should settle down after a few days.

More plaster cast tips:

• Exercise any joints that aren’t covered by the cast such as your elbow, knee, fingers or toes to help improve your circulation.
• Avoid getting small objects, powders and sprays inside your cast, as they could irritate your skin.
• Don’t try to alter the length or position of you cast.
• Don’t lift anything heavy or drive until the cast has been removed.
• Please use crutches or a sling, if advised by your healthcare professional.
• Please consider the use of painkillers if you experience any pain.

Plaster cast problems

You should go to your local hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department if:
• Your plaster cast still feels too tight after keeping it elevated for 24 hours.
• Your fingers or toes on the affected limb feel swollen, tingly, painful (following the use of painkillers) or numb.
• Your fingers or toes turn blue or white.
• Your cast feels too loose.
• Your cast is broken or cracked.
• The skin underneath or around the edge of your cast feels sore.
• There is an unpleasant smell or discharge from your cast.
• A blood clot (DVT) may form due to enforced immobility of a leg plaster. Elevation and exercise can reduce this risk.

General support

For general medical advice please use the NHS website, the NHS 111 service, walk-in-centres, or your GP.
NHS website provides online health information and guidance
There are walk-in and urgent treatment services at Brighton Station, Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Horsham Minor Injuries Unit and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital.