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Accident and Emergency, Orthopaedics

Your Cast and Brace Passport

Information for patients

View or download this information as a PDF link
Information:

This leaflet aims to give you advice about the care of your limb and plaster cast.

All patients who have a cast/brace/splint in place are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. A pressure ulcer is an area of damage to the skin and the tissue below it, caused by pressure on the skin for long periods of time.

General information

  1. Keep the plaster clean and dry.
  2. Exercise the fingers/toes of the affected limb regularly.
  3. Elevate the affected limb as much as possible to prevent further swelling or discomfort.
  4. Exercise the joints above the plaster to prevent stiffening.
  5. Mild pain relievers may be necessary in the first few days as broken bones do hurt. Please follow the dose recommended by the clinician.
  6. Plaster casts can vary and may take up to 72 hours to dry: you will be told by the clinician about your cast.
  7. If your leg is in a plaster cast you will be told when you see the doctor if you are allowed to put any weight on the affected leg – crutches/frames/ sticks are available as required.
  8. Driving whilst you are in a plaster cast is dangerous and your driving insurance may be invalid. Please contact your insurance company.
  9. When resting your leg on a pillow or cushion, please keep your foot elevated to prevent swelling. Please leave a gap between your heel and the bed or stool, to prevent pressure on your heel.
  10. If you are on contraceptive treatment please make sure your hospital doctor is aware.

Do

  • Maintain a range of movement in your toes/fingers.
  • Use the correct supporting aid to elevate your limb.
  • Use any specialist equipment that you have been given to ensure elevation is being maintained at home.

Do not

  • Do not immerse in water.
  • Do not insert anything under your cast to scratch an itch.
  • Do not trim or reshape your cast.
  • Do not use a hair dryer on the cast – let it dry naturally.
  • Do not rest the plaster on a hard surface as it may dent or crack the cast.

Please contact us if any of the following occur:

  • If the cast becomes tight/loose/cracked/soft/ broken.
  • The cast rubs or presses against the skin causing irritation.
  • If there is any leakage through the cast or if it becomes
    too smelly.
  • If moderate pain becomes severe and constant.
  • If slight itching under the cast becomes severe and persistent.
  • If you notice any of the following affecting your fingers
    or toes:- 
    • Marked swelling
    • Numbness / loss of sensation / pins and needles
    • Marked coldness
    • Difficulty in movement
    • Marked blue / whiteness
    • Calf pain

Orthopaedic Plaster Room Leeds

between the hours of:
Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 5.45pm,
Friday 08.30am – 1.00pm.

Phone
(0113) 392 5717

Outside of these hours

if you have any problems when we are closed, please phone the NHS helpline, or visit your nearest Minor Injuries Unit, Accident & Emergency department or Walk-in Centre.

Phone
111

Do you have a RED banding around your cast?

Example of a red band around a wrist cast
Example of a red band around a lower leg cast

Leeds Teaching Hospitals has now established a new standard of practice. A red band is put around your cast if you are at higher risk of developing a pressure ulcer.

What does this mean?

You may be at a higher risk of developing a pressure ulcer under your cast if:

  • You have reduced sensation or the ability to feel pain.
  • Problems with mobility or movement.
  • Older or frail adults.
  • Dementia or cognitive impairment.
  • Conditions affecting the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
  • Inability to communicate irregular skin sensation or pain.
  • Conditions that result in poor circulation to the skin and soft tissues such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease.

You will be assessed and asked questions about your cast.

These are Red Flags to have your cast checked or removed

A-Assess

Assess the limb where the plaster cast is for:

  • Pain
  • Tingling
  • Numbness

Loss of range of movement.

Loss of sensation

E-Elevate

  • Are you elevating your limb where the plaster cast is?
  • Are you elevating your limb when sat?

For example wrist fractures – above the level of the heart, and lower limb – toes in line with your nose.

Example of how to elevate your arm when your arm is in a sling
Example of how to elevate your arm when you are sat - rest your arm on a pillow that raises your arm to about the level of your heart
Example of how to elevate your lower leg

What happens next?

You may be referred to a Follow Up Clinic

We will contact you within five working days to let you know the details of your appointment. If you have not heard from us within one week please call Virtual Fracture Clinic:

Virtual Fracture Clinic

Phone
0113 392 2172
email
[email protected]

You may be referred to the Hands Team

We will contact you within 10 working days to let you know the details of your appointment. If you have not heard from us within one week please call the Hands Team:

Hands Team

phone
0113 392 7546

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  • LN: 004741
  • Edition number: 1st Edition, Version 1
  • Developed by: Paige Kiyak and Blessing Emmanuel
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