the cast and splints

King Saud UniversityKing Saud UniversityCollege of NursingCollege of Nursing

The cast and splintsThe cast and splints

Hatem AlsrourHatem Alsrour

What splints and castsWhat splints and casts ? ?

Splints and casts support and protect injured Splints and casts support and protect injured bones and soft tissue, reducing pain, bones and soft tissue, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. In some swelling, and muscle spasm. In some cases, splints and casts are applied cases, splints and casts are applied following surgeryfollowing surgery . .

Splints or "half-casts" provide less support Splints or "half-casts" provide less support than casts. However, splints can be than casts. However, splints can be adjusted to accommodate swelling from adjusted to accommodate swelling from injuries easier than enclosed casts. Your injuries easier than enclosed casts. Your doctor will decide which type of support doctor will decide which type of support will be best for you. will be best for you.

What are the different types of What are the different types of castscasts??

Below is a description of the various types of casts, Below is a description of the various types of casts, the location of the body they are applied, and the location of the body they are applied, and their general function.their general function.

Type of CastLocationUses

Short arm cast:

Applied below the elbow to the hand.

Forearm or wrist fractures. Also used to hold the forearm or wrist muscles and tendons in place after surgery.

Long arm cast:

Applied from the upper arm to the hand.

Upper arm, elbow, or forearm fractures. Also used to hold the arm or elbow muscles and tendons in place after surgery.

Arm cylinder cast:

Applied from the upper arm to the wrist.

To hold the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a dislocation or surgery.



Shoulder spica cast:

Applied around the trunk of the body to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Shoulder dislocations or after surgery on the shoulder area.

Minerva cast:Applied around the neck and trunk of the body.

After surgery on the neck or upper back area.

Short leg cast:

Applied to the area below the knee to the foot.

Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains/strains, or fractures. Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Leg cylinder cast:

Applied from the upper thigh to the ankle.

Knee, or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or after surgery on the leg or knee area.



Unilateral hip spica cast:

Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg.

Thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

One and one-half hip spica cast:

Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg to the knee of the other leg. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.

Thigh fracture. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Bilateral long leg hip spica cast:

Applied from the chest to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.

Pelvis, hip, or thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing


Type of CastType of CastLocationLocationUsesUses

Short leg hip spica cast:Short leg hip spica cast:Applied from the chest to the Applied from the chest to the thighs or knees.thighs or knees.

To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.surgery to allow healing.


Type of CastType of CastLocationLocationUsesUses

Abduction Abduction boot cast:boot cast:

Applied from the upper thighs to Applied from the upper thighs to the feet. A bar is placed the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.hips and legs immobilized.

To hold the hip muscles and tendons in To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.place after surgery to allow healing.

How are splints and casts appliedHow are splints and casts applied ? ?

Both fiberglass and plaster splints and casts Both fiberglass and plaster splints and casts use padding, usually cotton, as a use padding, usually cotton, as a protective layer next to the skin. protective layer next to the skin.

The splint or cast must fit the shape of the The splint or cast must fit the shape of the injured arm or leg correctly to provide the injured arm or leg correctly to provide the best possible support. Generally, the splint best possible support. Generally, the splint or cast also covers the joint above and or cast also covers the joint above and below the fractured bone. below the fractured bone.

Frequently, a splint is applied to a fresh Frequently, a splint is applied to a fresh injury first and, as swelling subsides, a full injury first and, as swelling subsides, a full cast may be used to replace the splint. cast may be used to replace the splint.

How are splints and casts appliedHow are splints and casts applied ? ?Sometimes, it may be necessary to replace a cast as swelling Sometimes, it may be necessary to replace a cast as swelling

decreases and the cast "gets too big." Often as a fracture decreases and the cast "gets too big." Often as a fracture heals, a splint may be applied again to allow easy removal for heals, a splint may be applied again to allow easy removal for therapy.therapy.

Swelling due to your injury may cause pressure in your splint Swelling due to your injury may cause pressure in your splint or cast for the first 48 to 72 hours. This may cause your injured or cast for the first 48 to 72 hours. This may cause your injured arm or leg to feel snug or tight in the splint or cast. arm or leg to feel snug or tight in the splint or cast.

Elevate your injured arm or leg above your heart by propping it Elevate your injured arm or leg above your heart by propping it up on pillows or some other support. You will have to recline if up on pillows or some other support. You will have to recline if the splint or cast is on your leg. Elevation allows clear fluid and the splint or cast is on your leg. Elevation allows clear fluid and blood to drain "downhill" to your heart.blood to drain "downhill" to your heart.

Move your uninjured, but swollen fingers or toes gently and Move your uninjured, but swollen fingers or toes gently and

often. often.

Apply ice to the splint or cast. Place the ice in a dry plastic bag Apply ice to the splint or cast. Place the ice in a dry plastic bag or ice pack and loosely wrap it around the splint or cast at the or ice pack and loosely wrap it around the splint or cast at the level of the injury. Ice that is packed in a rigid container and level of the injury. Ice that is packed in a rigid container and touches the cast at only one point will not be effective. touches the cast at only one point will not be effective.

What are some warning signs What are some warning signs following splint or cast applicationfollowing splint or cast application ? ?

After application of a splint or cast, it is very important to elevate After application of a splint or cast, it is very important to elevate your injured arm or leg for 24 to 72 hours. The injured area your injured arm or leg for 24 to 72 hours. The injured area should be elevated well above the heart. Rest and elevation should be elevated well above the heart. Rest and elevation greatly reduce pain and speed the healing process by greatly reduce pain and speed the healing process by minimizing early swelling.minimizing early swelling.

Increased pain, which may be caused by swelling, and the Increased pain, which may be caused by swelling, and the

feeling that the splint or cast is too tightfeeling that the splint or cast is too tight Numbness and tingling in your hand or foot, which may be Numbness and tingling in your hand or foot, which may be

caused by too much pressure on the nervescaused by too much pressure on the nerves Burning and stinging, which may be caused by too much Burning and stinging, which may be caused by too much

pressure on the skinpressure on the skin Excessive swelling below the cast, which may mean the cast is Excessive swelling below the cast, which may mean the cast is

slowing your blood circulationslowing your blood circulation Loss of active movement of toes or fingers, which requires an Loss of active movement of toes or fingers, which requires an

urgent evaluation by your doctor urgent evaluation by your doctor

How do you take care of your splint How do you take care of your splint or castor cast ? ?

After you have adjusted to your splint or cast for a After you have adjusted to your splint or cast for a few days, it is important to keep it in good condition. few days, it is important to keep it in good condition. This will help your recovery. This will help your recovery.

Keep your splint or cast dry. Moisture weakens Keep your splint or cast dry. Moisture weakens plaster and damp padding next to the skin can cause plaster and damp padding next to the skin can cause irritation. Use two layers of plastic or purchase irritation. Use two layers of plastic or purchase waterproof shields to keep your splint or cast dry waterproof shields to keep your splint or cast dry while you shower or bathe. while you shower or bathe.

Do not walk on a "walking cast" until it is completely Do not walk on a "walking cast" until it is completely dry and hard. It takes about one hour for fiberglass, dry and hard. It takes about one hour for fiberglass, and two to three days for plaster to become hard and two to three days for plaster to become hard enough to walk on. enough to walk on.

Keep dirt, sand, and powder away from the inside of Keep dirt, sand, and powder away from the inside of your splint or cast. your splint or cast.

Do not pull out the padding from your splint or cast. Do not pull out the padding from your splint or cast.

How do you take care of your splint How do you take care of your splint or castor cast??

Do not stick objects such as coat hangers inside Do not stick objects such as coat hangers inside the splint or cast to scratch itching skin. Do not the splint or cast to scratch itching skin. Do not apply powders or deodorants to itching skin. If apply powders or deodorants to itching skin. If itching persists, contact your doctor. itching persists, contact your doctor.

Do not break off rough edges of the cast or trim Do not break off rough edges of the cast or trim the cast before asking your doctor. the cast before asking your doctor.

Inspect the skin around the cast. If your skin Inspect the skin around the cast. If your skin becomes red or raw around the cast, contact your becomes red or raw around the cast, contact your doctor. doctor.

Inspect the cast regularly. If it becomes cracked Inspect the cast regularly. If it becomes cracked or develops soft spots, contact your doctor's or develops soft spots, contact your doctor's office. office.

How is a cast removedHow is a cast removed ? ? Never remove the cast yourself Never remove the cast yourself You may cut your skin or prevent proper healing of your You may cut your skin or prevent proper healing of your

injury. Your doctor will use a cast saw to remove your cast. injury. Your doctor will use a cast saw to remove your cast. The saw vibrates, but does not rotate. If the blade of the The saw vibrates, but does not rotate. If the blade of the saw touches the padding inside the hard shell of the cast, saw touches the padding inside the hard shell of the cast, the padding will vibrate with the blade and will protect your the padding will vibrate with the blade and will protect your skin. Cast saws make noise and may feel "hot" from skin. Cast saws make noise and may feel "hot" from friction, but will not harm you-their "bark is worse than their friction, but will not harm you-their "bark is worse than their bite." bite."

Use common sense. Use common sense. You have a serious injury and you must protect your cast You have a serious injury and you must protect your cast

from damage so it can protect your injury while it heals. from damage so it can protect your injury while it heals. After initial swelling has subsided, proper splint or cast After initial swelling has subsided, proper splint or cast support will usually allow you to continue your daily support will usually allow you to continue your daily activities with a minimum of inconvenience. activities with a minimum of inconvenience.

Take care of your cast and it will take care of you. Take care of your cast and it will take care of you.

The saw vibrates but does not The saw vibrates but does not rotate. Cast saws make noise rotate. Cast saws make noise

but will not harm youbut will not harm you . .

the cast and splints

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