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February 9, 2012
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Cast Care

Medical Author:
Jennifer L Brown, MD, FACEP
Coauthor:
Richard S Krause, MD
Medical Editor:
Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Cast Care Introduction

  • The function of a cast is to rigidly protect an injured bone or joint. It serves to hold the broken bone in proper alignment to prevent it from moving while it heals.


  • Casts may also be used to help rest a bone or joint to relieve pain that is caused by moving it (such as when a severe sprain occurs, but no broken bones).


  • Different types of casts and splints are available, depending on the reason for the immobilization and/or the type of fracture.


  • Casts are usually made of either plaster or fiberglass material.

Next Page:
Fracture Types and Healing»
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Cast Care

Cast and Splint Care Tips »

Topic Overview

When you first get your cast or splint

Your doctor has applied a cast or splint to protect a broken bone or injury. If you have a removable splint, follow your doctor's instructions and only remove the splint if he or she says you can. If you have a cast, follow your doctor's instructions for when you can first put pressure on the cast. Fiberglass casts dry quickly, but plaster casts may take several days before they are hard enough to use. Once your cast can be used, don't put excessive weight on it for long periods of time without rest.

A brace with a built-in air cushion is ready to use right away. It is made of either hard or soft plastic and inflatable air pads. The plastic is fitted around the injured area and often held in place with straps. Then the air pads are inflated to firmly hold the injury in place.

Never cut or modify your cast or splint or use powder on the skin under the cast. Keep dirt and sand from getting into the cas...

Read the Cast and Splint Care Tips article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Fracture, Ankle »

Ankle fractures refer to fractures of the distal tibia, distal fibula, talus, and calcaneus.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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