Your new plaster cast

Transcription

1 Your new plaster cast Plaster Room Information for Patients i This booklet aims to help you with your new plaster cast University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

2 Contact numbers Telephone numbers: Plaster Room: Ward 16: Ward 19: Opening hours The Plaster Room is open Monday to Thursday from 8.00am 5.00pm It is closed after 12.30pm each Friday It is closed at weekends and Bank Holidays 2

3 Some information about Plaster of Paris Plaster of Paris A Plaster of Paris cast may take up to hours to harden and dry completely. This type of cast is usually applied immediately after surgery and should not be used to weight bear on. Fibre Glass/Poly cast If you have a Fibre Glass cast or Poly cast on your foot/leg, this will set within 5-10 minutes, and may be used to either non weight bear, partial weight bear, or fully weight bear as directed by the plaster room staff /doctor/ physiotherapist. When first applied, your cast will feel warm for about half an hour, this is the process that hardens the cast. It will then start to feel cool and damp for a few hours. This is normal. If your cast becomes uncomfortably hot during application please inform the Plaster Room staff immediately. 3

4 Care of a drying cast While your cast is drying, please take care not to rest it against any hard surface, such as a stool or chair. The damp plaster must not be covered; this is to allow for drying by evaporation. Never attempt to speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer, hot water bottle or heaters as this will result in the cast cracking. It may also cause you pain and burning of the skin under the cast. DO use several pillows covered in an old towel to elevate your leg, as water will leak over several hours whilst the cast dries out. Remember to change the towel often as it can get damp very quickly. Bathing and showering Leaflets for water proof cast protectors are available from Plaster Room staff, and will be given to you with this booklet. Please DO NOT use carrier bags or cling film to cover your cast as these can split and leak. This can lead to sores on your skin under your cast and your cast can become weak and crack. 4

5 Swelling and elevation After surgery and the application of a plaster cast, it is important to elevate the limb to relieve swelling. Try to elevate the limb for approximately 30 minutes at a time with a break of a few minutes down in between each elevation. (The time recommended can vary from person to person). This allows circulation to continue to your injured limb. If you are unsure, please ask Plaster Room staff to talk you through it again. Swelling and bruising is normal and must be expected after an operation. If your upper limb is in plaster, the use of a sling is recommended during the early stages, this will help to reduce swelling. Remember to exercise any joints not in plaster i.e. your fingers, elbow, shoulder or your toes, knees, hips as this will help to prevent stiffness and more swelling. Pins and needles If you experience swelling of the fingers or toes, pins and needles, numbness and/or discoloration, raise your limb immediately. If this does NOT help settle your symptoms after about 20 minutes, your cast may need attention. Please ring the Plaster Room on for advice or to make an appointment to see us. Out of hours - seek attention from your local A&E department. 5

6 General plaster cast care The cast should be kept dry. Do not insert knitting needles or other objects down your cast to scratch itchy skin. This may damage your skin and cause infection. Do not put weight on your cast until you have been advised by either the doctor, Plaster Room staff or the physiotherapist. Contact the Plaster Room as soon as possible If any of the following happens: You experience pain or cramp in your calf You experience sore areas under the cast Your cast becomes loose, cracks or splits Soft areas develop in your cast Your cast is generally uncomfortable Your cast leaks Your cast smells. If any of the above occurs while Plaster Room is closed, please contact the ward where you were treated for advice. Ward 16: Ward 19: Or visit your local A&E department in emergencies. 6

7 Notes Any questions? If you have any more questions, please contact the plaster room: Orthopaedic practitioner: Opening hours: Monday to Thursday Fridays Closed weekends and Bank Holidays. 8.00am 5.00pm 8.00am 12.30pm Your comments on this leaflet are valuable and very welcome. Please help us to improve the information we give to future patients. Please telephone Or write to us at: Plaster Room Outpatients 1 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Leicester General Hospital Gwendolen Road Leicester LE5 4PW 7

8 If you would like this information in another language or format, please contact the Service Equality Manager on Haddaad rabto warqadan oo turjuman oo ku duuban cajalad ama qoraal ah fadlan la xiriir, Maamulaha Adeegga Sinaanta Eĝer bu broşürün (kitapçıĝın) yazılı veya kasetli açıklamasını isterseniz lütfen servis müdürüne telefonundan ulaşabilirsiniz. Produced: December 2011 Review: December 2013 (Goldson) KR MUS