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Plaster instructions

You have had a plaster cast applied to a limb. To allow the plaster to work properly, it is important that you:

• Lie down for the next ……… hours.
• Elevate the limb for the next 48 hours.
• Move the fingers or toes around.
• Return tomorrow or whenever advised for a plaster check.

Elevation

Arm

Have the hand raised so that it is higher than the opposite shoulder level (if possible). The arm can be supported on a pillow or in a sling.

Leg

Raise the foot of the bed and place the plaster cast on a pillow or cushion. The patient can lie down or sit up, as long as the leg is elevated.

Other useful tips

• For a fractured leg crutches may be provided, but these are best used after 48 hours of rest.
• The plaster can take up to 2 days to dry.
• You should not stand on a leg plaster before 2 days.
• Contact your doctor if you notice a smell or discharge coming from inside the plaster.

Problems caused by swelling

Sometimes the swelling around the fracture will cause the plaster to become too tight. The patient should be brought back to your doctor or to the emergency department of the hospital>immediately if any of the following develop:

• marked swelling of the fingers or toes
• blueness of the fingers or toes
• loss of feeling or numbness in the fingers or toes
• a tight pain not eased by elevation of the limb
• inability to move the fingers or toes

  Copyright 1995: John Murtagh, Professor of General Practice
  Monash University, Melbourne, Australia