Cast Care: Types of Casts and Cast Aids

Types of casts

• Plaster cast. This is made from gauze and plaster strips soaked in water. These are wrapped around the injured body part over a stockinette and cotton padding. As they dry, the strips harden. The cast takes 24 to 48 hours to harden fully.

• Synthetic cast. This is made from fiberglass or plastic strips. These are wrapped around the injury over a stockinette and cotton padding. Synthetic casts can be different colors. A synthetic cast is lighter than plaster. It dries in a few minutes, but may take a few hours to harden fully. Synthetic stockinettes and padding are also available.

• Cast brace. This is made of hard plastic. Soft pads inside the brace push against (compress) the injury. The brace is held in place with Velcro strips and can be removed. A cast brace may be used right after the injury happens. Or it may be used toward the end of healing, after another cast has been removed.

• Splint (also called a half cast).  This is made from slabs of plaster or fiberglass that hold the injury still. A bandage is wrapped around the injury to hold the slabs in place. Splints are often used when swelling is present or you have a risk of swelling. In most cases, the splint is later replaced with another type of cast.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms after you have a cast or splint put on:

• Pain or tightness that gets worse from the cast or splint

• Numbness, tingling, or burning below a cast or splint

• Excessive swelling above or below a cast or splint

• Loss of active movement of fingers or toes below a cast

Cast aids

Cast aids help you get around safely and comfortably. If you need any of these, your healthcare provider will teach you how to use them:

• Sling. This keeps your injured arm still and helps carry your cast.

• Cane. This helps you balance and put less weight on an injured leg.

• Walking cast. This is a cast you can walk on. You may wear a cast shoe over your cast to keep it clean and protected.

• Walker. This helps you balance and keep weight off an injured leg. Some walkers have wheels and can be pushed as you walk. Others are lifted and placed down as you step.

• Crutches. These help you balance and keep weight off an injured leg. When using crutches, make sure they are sized correctly. Remember to support yourself with your hands and upper arms. Don’t rest crutches in your armpits. (Doing so could damage the nerves leading to your arms and hands.)