Going home after your visit
Caring for your plaster cast
How to look after your cast or backslab while your injury heals, and when to get help.
You have a plaster cast (or a backslab) to hold the injured bone still while it heals. Most casts settle without any problems. Here is how to look after it, and the warning signs to watch for. Please keep this handy.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Go to the plaster room or A&E urgently if any of these happen
Some can be signs of a serious problem with the blood supply or nerves. Do not wait — these need checking straight away.
- Fingers or toes that are numb, tingling, or you cannot move them
- Fingers or toes that look pale, blue, swollen or feel cold
- Pain that keeps getting worse and pain relief does not help
- The cast feels too tight, even after raising the limb
- A burning or rubbing sore spot under the cast
- The cast becomes loose, cracked, soft or wet
- A bad smell or discharge coming from the cast
CALL 999 Worsening pain that pain relief does not settle is the most important warning sign — get it checked the same day. Call 999 if the limb becomes cold, pale and numb, or the pain is sudden and severe.
Looking after your cast
- Keep it completely dry — cover it with a plastic bag for washing, and do not let it get wet.
- Do not poke things down it or scratch under it — this can break the skin.
- Do not cut, trim or change the cast yourself.
- For the first few days, keep the limb raised on pillows to ease swelling.
- Wiggle your fingers or toes often to keep them moving.
- Do not put weight on it unless you were told you can.
What to expect
These are normal in the first few days and are nothing to worry about:
Mild achingSome swellingItching under the castStiffness
Aching and swelling should ease over the first few days as you keep the limb raised. You may take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are able to take them.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above