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Fracture First Aid & Plaster Cast Care

What you do in the first 30 minutes after an injury—and how you care for your plaster cast or splint at home—directly affects how well your bone heals.

1. Immediate First Aid for Sprains & Suspected Fractures

Follow the R.I.C.E. method and safe immobilization
R — Rest & Splint

Immobilize the Limb

Do not test the limb by walking on it or twisting it. Support an injured arm in a cloth sling or rest an injured leg on a firm pillow/cardboard splint.

I — Ice Pack

Cool for 15–20 Minutes

Wrap ice cubes or a frozen gel pack in a cloth and apply over the swollen area for 15–20 minutes every 3 hours. Never place raw ice directly on skin.

C — Avoid Massage

Never Rub or Pull a Deformed Joint

Vigorous massage or pulling on a fractured bone or dislocated joint can tear blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments, turning a simple fracture into a complex one.

E — Elevate & Remove Rings

Keep Above Heart Level

Elevate the injured hand or foot on pillows to limit swelling, and immediately slip off rings, watches, or tight anklets before swelling sets in.

2. How to Care for Your Plaster or Fiberglass Cast

Do's and Don'ts while your bone heals inside a cast or slab

Essential Cast Care Habits

  • Keep the Cast 100% Dry: Moisture weakens plaster and causes skin breakdown underneath. Cover the cast with two layers of sealed plastic or a waterproof cast protector during bathing.
  • Move Uncovered Fingers & Toes Hourly: Fully bend and straighten your fingers (for arm casts) or wiggle your toes (for leg casts) 15–20 times every hour to pump out swelling and prevent stiffness.
  • Elevate for the First 72 Hours: Rest an arm cast on a chest pillow when lying down, and prop a leg cast on 2 pillows so the heel hangs free of pressure.

What Never to Do With a Cast

  • Never Poke Objects Inside to Scratch: Do not insert pens, rulers, or knitting needles inside the cast—they can scratch fragile skin and cause a hidden ulcer. Use a cool hair-dryer setting near the opening if itching occurs.
  • Do Not Trim or Break Cast Edges: If an edge rubs your skin, pad it with soft cotton/micropore tape and have it adjusted at the clinic.
  • Do Not Walk on a Cast Unless Instructed: Only bear weight if Dr. Sandhu has specifically applied a walking cast and cleared you to step on it.

Urgent Cast Warning Signs (Visit the Hospital Immediately)

If swelling increases inside a rigid cast, pressure can build up. Contact us or visit emergency immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • Severe, Throbbing Pain: Pain that worsens progressively despite elevating the limb and taking pain medication.
  • Numbness or "Pins and Needles": Loss of sensation or burning tingling in the fingers or toes.
  • Pale, Bluish, or Ice-Cold Fingers/Toes: When you press a fingernail or toenail, the pink color does not return within 2 seconds.
  • Inability to Move Fingers or Toes: Or a soft, cracked, or foul-smelling cast.

Had a Recent Fall, Fracture, or Cast Issue?

Reach out immediately via phone or WhatsApp, or visit Sri Guru Ram Das Hospital (Valla) / Amritsar Golden Hospital.

Call +91 88475 66164 Message on WhatsApp
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