Plaster Casts

You have had a plaster cast put on your arm or leg. This leaflet tells you how to care for your arm or leg while it is in a cast.

It is important that you follow the advice given by your Doctor, Nurse or Orthopaedic Practitioner (a person who specialises in the treatment of bones and joints). If you have any questions or concerns, the medical team will be happy to talk to you.

What shall I do while my cast is drying?

While your cast is drying, please take care not to rest it against any hard surface, such as a stool or chair.

The damp plaster must not be covered; this allows the cast to dry out. Plaster of Paris can take up to 24 hours to dry completely.

Never attempt to speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer or heater, as this could result in the cast cracking. It may also cause you pain or it may burn your skin under the cast.

Please inform plaster room staff if you are diabetic or have reduced feeling in the limb that is injured.

You will be informed about the type of cast you are going to have before your cast application and you will be advised how to care for it.

If you have an arm cast:

You must:

• Use a sling (if you were given one) for the first 12 hours. You should remember to exercise any joints that are not covered in plaster, such as your fingers, elbow or shoulder. This is a continued process and it will help to prevent stiffness and swelling (See exercises later in this leaflet).

• Keep your arm raised, if possible above the level of your heart.

• Attend your fracture clinic appointment.

If you have a plaster that goes above your elbow, you may be given a collar and cuff to support your arm. This can be removed to exercise your shoulder and fingers and when you are in bed.

If you have a weight bearing leg cast:

You must not:

• Walk on your cast for at least 30 minutes to allow it to dry.
• Walk on the plaster until given permission to do so.
• Put weight on the plaster until given permission.

You must:

• Use the plaster shoe you were given to wear when you walk in the cast. This must be worn to protect the cast and give some grip when walking.

• Use crutches or walking aid (if you were given them) at all times when you are walking.

• Keep your leg raised above the level of your hip when resting. You can use pillows or a stool to help when sitting. Your leg must be moved often to stop pressure damage.

• Attend your fracture clinic appointment.

• Follow the advice given by your Doctor, Nurse or Orthopaedic Practitioner.

If you have a non-weight bearing leg cast:

You must not:

• Walk on your cast.
• Walk on the plaster until given permission to do so.
• Put weight on the plaster until given permission.

You must:

• Use crutches/ walking aid provided at all times when you are mobilising.

• Keep your leg raised above the level of your hip when resting. You can use pillows or a stool to help when sitting. Your leg must be moved often to stop pressure damage.

• Exercise any joints not covered in plaster, such as toes, ankles, knee and hip. This will help to prevent stiffness and swelling.

• Attend your fracture clinic appointment.

• Follow the advice given by your Doctor, Nurse, Orthopaedic Practitioner.

How do I take care of my plaster cast?

You should:

• Keep the cast dry.
• Exercise and keep your arm or leg raised, this will reduce the risk of swelling, especially for the first few days.

You should not:

• Put anything down your cast to scratch.
• Remove the cotton wool padding from inside of your cast as this may damage your skin.
• Apply heat to your cast.
• Cover your cast with a waterproof protector for more than 15 minutes, as this can cause condensation inside the bag, making the plaster damp.

You should telephone the plaster room immediately, if you notice any of the following (please see the contact numbers at the end of this leaflet):

• Swelling of your fingers or toes.
• Increase pain in your arm or leg.
• Blueness of your fingers or toes, which is not bruising.
• Pins and needles.
• Coldness in your fingers or toes.
• Loss of feeling in the area around the cast.
• You are unable to move your fingers or toes.
• If you have a surgical wound that causes discolouration of the cast or an offensive smell.
• If there are any areas of discomfort or pain covered by the plaster.

Out of hours, you should attend the Urgent Care Centre or telephone 111.

You MUST go to the Emergency Department immediately if you have either of the following:

• Increasing pain in your calf or upper arm (this may indicate deep vein thrombosis).
• Pain in your chest, or shortness of breath.

What Exercise can I do while in a Plaster Cast?

Hand exercises – To be done if you have a cast on your arm or hand.

These exercises should be done at least 10 times every day to prevent stiffness:

• Make a tight fist with your fingers and thumb, relax it then make a fist again.
• Spread your fingers and thumb wide apart, relax and then spread them again.
• Exercise any joints that are not covered in plaster, such as your elbow or shoulder.

Do not allow your hand to hang down for any length of time, as it may become swollen and painful.

Foot exercises – To be done if you have a cast on your leg or foot.

These exercises should be done at least 10 times every day to prevent stiffness:

• Bend your toes and then straighten them.
• If your cast allows, bend your knee and move your hip.

Do not allow your leg to hang down for any length of time, as it may become swollen and painful. Elevate your leg when possible.

What do I need to do if I have a removable cast?

• Check with your Doctor, Nurse, or Plaster Technician if you are allowed to remove your cast and how often

• A helper may be needed to remove the cast and put it back on, to make sure that it fits comfortably.

• You must take care when taking the cast off and putting it back on so that you do not damage your skin. It may be more comfortable to rest your injured arm or leg on a rolled up towel or cushion.

• If you have any wounds, you must make sure that if you apply dressings, they are not too bulky. You must also make sure that the dressings do not roll up when adding the padding. This is because it is very important that your cast fits you comfortably.

• When putting your cast back on, make sure that the padding material is dry and it is not wrinkled. This is to prevent areas of pressure on your skin, which may cause pressure sores.

• When putting your cast back on, make sure the straps are secure and the cast is in a comfortable position.

• You should call the Plaster room if you need any advice.

Additional Information

Will I need to return to hospital?

You will be given an appointment to return to the hospital. It is very important to keep to this appointment. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend so we can rearrange your appointment.

Please telephone the plaster room to arrange an appointment immediately if you experience any problems, including:

• Sore areas under your cast.
• The cast cracks, becomes loose or soft.

Contact Numbers

If you have any worries or concerns, please contact the unit where you were treated.

University Hospital of North Tees

Plaster Room

Monday to Friday – 08:30am to 04:30pm

Saturday, 9.00am to 11.00am

Telephone: 01642 624492

Outside of these hours, you should contact:

Urgent Care Centre

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Telephone: 01642 382702

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Plaster Room

Monday to Thursday 08:30am to 04:00pm

Friday, 8.30am to 12.30pm

Saturday and Sunday – Closed

Telephone: 01429 522592

Outside of these hours, you should contact:

Urgent Care Centre

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Telephone: 01642 382702

Further Information is available from:

NHS Choices
Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones
When it is less urgent than 999 call 111
Website: www.nhs.co.uk

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

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The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet Reference: PIL1350
Date for Review: 22/07/2024