Cast Care: Daily Basics
Simple daily steps to keep your cast clean, dry, comfortable, and protective while you heal.
- Keep the cast clean and dry (use a cast cover for showers).
- Elevate the limb above heart level for 20–30 minutes, 3–5 times/day during the first week.
- Move the joints that are free (wiggle fingers/toes; bend/straighten elbow/knee if not immobilized).
- Check the skin at the edges daily for redness, blisters, or rubbing.
- Keep follow-up appointments so we can monitor swelling and alignment.
- Do not put anything inside the cast to scratch (pens, hangers, pencils).
- Do not use heat (heating pad, hot hair dryer, microwave) to dry or warm the cast.
- Do not trim, cut, or “shave down” the cast edges at home.
- Avoid powders, lotions, or oils under the cast.
- Do not ignore increasing pain, tightness, numbness, or color change.
1) Daily check: look at fingers/toes for color and swelling; compare to the other side.
2) Keep it dry: cover the cast before bathing; dry the outside with a towel afterward.
3) Elevate: rest the cast on pillows so the hand/foot is above your heart when possible.
4) Keep moving: perform gentle finger/toe pumps and any allowed joint motion every 1–2 hours while awake.
5) Inspect edges: if the cast rubs, call us about padding/edge reinforcement rather than DIY fixes.
- Increasing pain or tightness that does not improve with elevation/meds.
- Numbness/tingling, new weakness, or fingers/toes that look blue/pale or feel very cold.
- Wet padding, foul odor, drainage, cracks/soft spots, or a cast that feels loose and slides.
- Fever with worsening pain or spreading redness around the cast edges.
- Any concern after a fall or re-injury.