Getting Used to a Cast or Splint

The following information provides general guidelines only, and is not a substitute for your doctor's advice. Swelling due to your injury may cause pressure in your splint or cast for the first 48 to 72 hours. This may cause your injured arm or leg to feel snug or tight in the splint or cast.

To reduce the swelling:

• Elevate your injured arm or leg above your heart by propping it up on pillows or some other support. You will have to recline if the splint or cast is on your leg. Elevation allows clear fluid and blood to drain "downhill" to your heart.
• Move your uninjured, but swollen fingers or toes gently and often.
• Apply ice to the splint or cast. Place the ice in a dry plastic bag or ice pack and loosely wrap it around the splint or cast at the level of the injury. Ice that is packed in a rigid container and touches the cast at only one point will not be effective.

Warning signs following splint or cast application

After application of a splint or cast, it is very important to elevate your injured arm or leg for 24 to 72 hours. The injured area should be elevated well above the heart. Rest and elevation greatly reduce pain and speed the healing process by minimizing early swelling. If you experience any of the following warning signs, contact your doctor's office immediately for advice.

• Increased pain, which may be caused by swelling, and the feeling that the splint or cast is too tight
• Numbness and tingling in your hand or foot, which may be caused by too much pressure on the nerves
• Burning and stinging, which may be caused by too much pressure on the skin
• Excessive swelling below the cast, which may mean the cast is slowing your blood circulation
• Loss of active movement of toes or fingers, which requires an urgent evaluation by your doctor