Plaster Casts

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The plaster will take 24 hours to be completely dry and you should treat it very carefully.

Do:
• Keep the plaster raised when you are sitting.
• Exercise all the parts not covered by the plaster; e.g. your shoulder, elbow and fingers or hip, knee and toes.
• Take medication such as paracetamol (available from pharmacies and supermarkets) for pain relief. Please take according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pain is severe, return to the
Emergency Department (ED).

Don’t:
• Get the plaster wet
• Try to dry the plaster artificially, such as in front of the fire or with a hairdryer etc.
• Cut or try to break the plaster
• Push anything inside the plaster to scratch your skin

Return to your nearest Emergency Department (ED) if:
• You have limb pain that is not relieved by medication or elevation
• You notice a bluish or whitish discolouration of the skin and coldness of the limb
• You notice numbness or a ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the fingers or toes
• There is painful pressure or rubbing underneath the plaster cast
• The cast feels too loose or too tight
• The cast becomes broken, cracked or wet

If you have any problems with your plaster cast, please contact the Emergency Department on 01908 995 913.