Cast Care (cont.)

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

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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Ice and Elevation

A doctor may want the person to use ice to help decrease the swelling of the injured body part. (Check with a physician before using ice.)
To keep the cast from becoming wet, put ice inside a sealed plastic bag and place a towel between the cast and the bag of ice.
Apply ice to the injury for 15 minutes each hour for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Try to keep the cast and injured body part elevated above the level of the heart, especially for the first 48 hours after the injury occurs.
Elevation will help to decrease the swelling and pain at the site of the injury.
Propping the cast up on several pillows may be necessary to help elevate the injured area, especially while asleep.

Taking Care of Your Cast»

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Glossary

Cast Care Topic Guide

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