How do you take care of a leg cast?
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How do you take care of a leg cast?
Try these tips:
- Keep it clean. Keep dirt and sand away from the inside of your child’s cast.
- Skip toiletries. Avoid placing powder, lotion or deodorant on or near the cast.
- Leave adjustments to your child’s doctor. Don’t pull the padding out of your child’s cast.
What precautions should be taken while the cast continues to dry?
Keep your splint or cast dry. Use two layers of plastic or purchase waterproof shields to keep your splint or cast dry while you shower or bathe. Even if the cast is covered, do not submerge it or hold it under running water. A small pinhole in the cast cover can cause the injury to get soaked.
How do you take care of a plaster cast?
Cast care
- Keep the plaster cast clean and dry at all times.
- The cast usually dries completely in 48 hours. Allow it to dry naturally and keep it away from direct heat.
- Avoid bumping or hitting the cast.
- Do not paint the cast. This will close the pores of the plaster. Having friends decorate the cast using markers is OK.
What do you do if your cast gets wet?
The risk of infection increases tremendously due to the open wound from the surgical procedure. Should your child’s cast get wet, call your orthopedic office immediately. The staff will get you in and replace the cast with a new one once the skin has dried.
How do I know if my cast is infected?
Infection. It’s normal for your cast to get smelly after you’ve worn it for a while. But if you notice a foul odor or a discharge coming from the cast, it could mean your skin underneath is infected. Get it treated right away.
How do you take a shower with a cast on your leg?
Sealable plastic bags can be fit over a cast to keep it safe from water. Newspaper bags, bread bags, or small trash bags usually work well. You would pull a bag over the cast and seal it on top using a rubber band or duct tape. Rubber bands may be gentler on the skin, and allow you to reuse the bag after showering.
Can u take a shower with a cast?
You should use some form of water protection for your cast every single time you shower or bathe. If your cast happens to get wet, you’ll want to pay a visit to your doctor to check it and see if it needs to be replaced.
Can you shower with a cast on your leg?
If you strongly prefer a shower, try to keep your cast away from running water. You may have to keep the broken limb outside of the shower during the bathing process. However, even if you keep your cast away from the water, do not bathe or shower without a cover. Even a small amount of water can be harmful to a cast.
How do you wash your hair with a leg cast?
How do you go to the bathroom with a broken leg?
Add a raised toilet seat to get on and off easily….Try these bath and shower tips to keep you safe:
- Use a long-handled sponge to scrub your feet, lower legs, and back.
- Put a non-slip rubber mat in the bathtub or shower.
- Floor mats need rubber backing.
How do you cover a leg cast in the shower?
Plastic Bag Using paper as a cover will not do the job; instead, it will cause more mess than a wet cast, which is why using plastic bags is an excellent way to keep a cast, plastic or fiberglass, dry in the shower. Place your arm or leg into the plastic bag and secure it medical or duct tape.
How do I take a shower with a cast on my leg?
Wrap the duct tape around the bag, make sure the tape is tight, but not too tight. If you are in a non-weight bearing cast/splint, we recommend having something to sit on in the shower like a lawn chair, etc. Check the stability of the chair while the shower floor is wet to avoid any accidents.
Can I swim with a cast on my leg?
If you’re using a waterproof cover, you should still avoid fully submerging your cast. Small holes in the cast cover or an imperfect fit can cause the cast to get wet. Waterproof casts can be fully submerged for swimming, but you should avoid the ocean or other bodies of water where debris might get in your cast.
Can you wear pants with a cast?
Pants are problematic because of the cast, and skirts are problematic because of the “elevated leg.” Honestly, my gut reaction would be to pick up 1-2 pairs of cheap pants (that you know will fit at the waist and hips) and cut one leg off at the knee to accommodate the cast.
