Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Removable Cast (Splint)

You will be going home with a removable cast. This is also called a splint. A cast helps your body heal by holding your injured bones or joints in place. A damaged cast can keep the injury from healing well. Take good care of your cast. If the cast becomes damaged, it may need to be replaced. 

You have a broken ___________________ bone.

This bone is in your ____________.

General care

• Wear your removable cast according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.

• Always keep the removable cast dry. Bathe with your cast out of the water. Hold the body part with the cast outside the tub or shower. Protect it with a large plastic bag. Close the bag with tape or rubber bands. Use 2 layers of plastic to help keep the cast dry. Or you can buy a waterproof shield.

• If your cast gets wet, dry it with a hair dryer on the cool setting. Don’t use the warm or hot setting. Those settings can burn your skin.

• Keep the cast clean and away from dirt.

• Don’t cut or tear the cast. 

• Keep your cast away from open flames.

• Don’t expose your cast to heat, space heaters, or a lot of sunlight. Too much heat will cause the cast to change shape.

• Exercise all the nearby joints that are not limited in movement by the cast. If you have a long leg cast, exercise your hip joint and your toes. If you have an arm cast, exercise your shoulder, elbow, thumb, and fingers.

• Raise the part of your body that is in the cast. Do this as often as possible during your day. This helps reduce swelling.

Cleaning your cast

• Clean the removable cast with soap and lukewarm water. Scrub it with a small brush.

• Use alcohol wipes to rub the inside of the cast. This is to reduce odor and bacteria.

• Wash the Velcro straps and inner cloth sleeve (stockinet) with soapy water. Then let it air dry.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Tingling or numbness in the affected area

• Severe pain that is not relieved with medicine

• Cast that feels too tight or too loose

• Swelling, coldness, or blue-gray color in your fingers or toes

• Cast that is damaged, cracked, or has rough edges that hurt

• Pressure sores or red marks that don’t go away within 1 hour after removing the cast

• Blisters