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A cast that is too tight could cut off the blood supply or damage nerves. The fingers/toes on the arm/leg with the cast should stay pink and feel warm, like on the fingers or toes on the other side. Call your doctor if your fingers/toes become swollen, cold, pale, or blue, or if you can’t move them.
Is it normal for fingers to go numb in a cast?
Numbness & Tingling: This may be caused by pressure on the nerves. Extreme Swelling/Tightness/Pain in Cast: This can be the result of swelling inside the cast.
Should a cast feel tight?
The cast should be comfortable to wear, holding the affected bone still, without feeling tight or having any areas of pressure. If you have a non-waterproof cast, with a cotton wool style liner, you will need to get the cast changed if it gets wet. The liner will retain the moisture and remain damp.
Is there an alternative to a cast?
What Are Alternatives to Casts? More and more, we’re seeing removable splints and walking boots as an alternative to casts–or used before or after a cast is put in place. While these options aren’t a solution for all fractures, they work well for some patients and injuries.
Can a cast cause damage?
When the pressure inside the cast builds up, it can cause damage to the muscles, nerves or blood vessels in the area covered by the cast. The damage may be permanent if it is not discovered and treated promptly. Call your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms.
What if my cast feels too tight?
A cast that is too tight could cut off the blood supply or damage nerves. The fingers/toes on the arm/leg with the cast should stay pink and feel warm, like on the fingers or toes on the other side. Call your doctor if your fingers/toes become swollen, cold, pale, or blue, or if you can’t move them.
Can bones move in a cast?
A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.
Why does my cast feel so tight?
Swelling due to your injury may cause pressure in your splint of cast for the first 48 – 72 hours. This may cause your injured arm or leg to feel snug or tight in the splint or cast. If you have a splint, your health care provider will show you how to adjust it to accommodate the swelling.
What’s the difference between a hard cast and a soft cast?
What are casts made of? The outside, or hard part of the cast, is made from two different kinds of casting materials. Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and to provide padding around bony areas, such as the wrist or elbow.
What to avoid while wearing a cast?
Plaster casts and fiberglass casts with conventional padding aren’t waterproof. Keep your child’s cast dry during baths or showers by covering it with two layers of plastic, sealed with a rubber band or duct tape. Avoid swimming while wearing a cast that isn’t waterproof.
Should I wiggle my toes in a cast?
Try to keep the area around the edge of the cast clean and moisturized. Wiggle your fingers or toes while wearing a cast or splint. This helps with circulation. You can apply ice for 15 to 30 minutes over a cast or splint.
Do Broken bones ache as they heal?
Chronic pain after the healing is complete When you suffer a fracture, it will eventually heal and recover to the point that you no longer experience pain. Unfortunately, this does not happen for everyone. Some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have finished healing.
What is the most painful bone to break?
The 4 Most Painful Bones To Break 1) Femur. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. 2) Tailbone. You could probably imagine that this injury is highly painful. 3) Ribs. Breaking your ribs can be terribly distressing and quite painful. 4) Clavicle. You’re probably asking, what’s a clavicle?.
Is a bone completely healed when a cast comes off?
During this “remodeling”, the body can straighten the fractured bone by laying new bone on the inside edge, and taking away bone on the outside of the angled area. In young children, bones can remodel fairly large angles, healing to appear completely normal within one to two years.
Can a cast be removed early?
Always remove any covering as soon as you can to avoid causing sweating, which could also damage the cast. Even if the plaster cast makes your skin feel very itchy, do not poke anything underneath it. This could cause a nasty sore and lead to infection.
What happens to skin under a cast?
When the cast is off, you may notice: The skin that was under the cast looks pale, dry, or flaky. The hair looks darker. The muscles looks smaller.
Is it normal to have pain while in a cast?
Because bones, torn ligaments, tendons, and other tissues can take weeks or months to heal, you may be stuck with your cast for a while. Although the pain may ease after a few weeks, the discomfort – swelling, itchiness, or soreness – may last the entire time.
When should cast discomfort be a concern?
A fever (higher than 100 F for child and 101 F for adult) Numbness, tingling, burning, or stinging in the injured arm or leg. Sores under the cast. Pain or swelling that gets worse.
Is it normal for a broken bone to hurt while in a cast?
Almost all broken bones and torn ligaments cause pain. The cast should relieve some pain by limiting your movements. Usually your pain will be less severe each day. If you were given pain medication to use, follow the directions on the package.
Can you get a blood clot from wearing a cast?
If you wear a plaster cast or brace for several days or weeks, the blood flow through your veins is slower than if you can move normally. This increases the risk of a blood clot (thrombus) forming in a leg or pelvic vein. Blood clots may end up blocking veins, preventing blood from flowing through them properly.
