Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSkin MacerationPressure SoresCompartment SyndromeWhen to Call a DoctorFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Skin Maceration
Pressure Sores
Compartment Syndrome
When to Call a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Casts are often an important part of the management of broken bones. However, problems can arise when wearing a cast. These issues may go unnoticed and worsen unless you spot the signs and report them to your healthcare provider. It is not just pain you should be concerned about—but also signs of infection, excessive swelling, or an improperly fitted cast that may affect bone healing.
The initial cast may need to be replaced during the treatment period, as it’s common for the cast to become loose as the initial swelling begins to come down. There may be some itching and aches as the bone starts to heal, but new or worsening pain is a sign that something is wrong.
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This article looks at some of the potentially serious problems that can occur while wearing a cast. It also lists the signs and symptoms that warrant an immediate visit to your healthcare provider.
One of the most challenging aspects of having a cast is keeping it dry. While there arewaterproof castsand cast materials made to tolerate moisture, most people are still encouraged to keep the cast dry.
Skin maceration can cause itchiness as well as the development of sores and cracks. This, in turn, can lead to skin infections.
If you get water under your cast and it wasn’t made to tolerate water, you should let your healthcare provider know—because the cast may need to be replaced.
Signs of infectionwarrant immediate care. These include a fever, soreness, pain, redness, skin warmth, a foul smell, or pus underneath the cast or extending beyond it.
4 Ways to Keep Your Cast Dry
If you suspect that you have a pressure sore under your cast, see your healthcare provider. The cast may need to be loosened or replaced.
A rare but more serious cast-related complication is compartment syndrome. This occurs when a cast is too tight, causing pressure within the cast that cannot be released.This may compress nerves and blood vessels and can reduce blood flow to tissues.
Symptoms of compartment syndrome are:
If not recognized and treated appropriately, compartment syndrome can cause permanent nerve injury and tissuenecrosis(death).
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you have any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a cast-related complication that needs immediate medical attention:
Summary
Casts aid in the healing of bones but may cause problems if the cast gets overly soaked or is improperly fitted. This can lead to skin maceration (in which saturated skin starts to break down), pressure sores (typically on bony parts of the body), and compartment syndrome (caused when a tight cast cuts off blood circulation).
A Word From Verywell
You can have fun with your cast, but, for many people, they eventually become extremely annoying and even unbearable. No matter how annoying they become, never attempt to remove a cast on your own. This is true even if a cast is scheduled to be removed.
Orthopedistsremove casts with saws specially designed to avoid harming underlying tissues. Attempting to remove a cast with other tools can be dangerous and cause serious injury. If you feel that your cast needs to be removed for any reason, call your healthcare provider.
How Casts Are Removed
To make yourself more comfortable, elevate the cast above your heart with pillows. Elevating the cast helps to reduce swelling and pain. You can use more pillows to prevent excessive movement of the affected limb.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare.American Family Physician.Principles of Casting and Splinting.National Library of Medicine.Pressure Sores.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Compartment Syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Bone fractures.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare.American Family Physician.Principles of Casting and Splinting.National Library of Medicine.Pressure Sores.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Compartment Syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Bone fractures.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare.American Family Physician.Principles of Casting and Splinting.National Library of Medicine.Pressure Sores.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Compartment Syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Bone fractures.
National Library of Medicine.Closed reduction of a fractured bone - aftercare.
American Family Physician.Principles of Casting and Splinting.
National Library of Medicine.Pressure Sores.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Compartment Syndrome.
Cleveland Clinic.Bone fractures.
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