What is a cast?

A cast is a hard, protective cover that is wrapped around a fractured (broken) bone. It holds your injured bone in place while it heals. When your bone is held still by the cast, it can heal by itself.

A healthcare professional will put your cast on and take it off. While you have a cast, there are important things you should do to look after it.

How is a cast put on?

Casts are always put on by a healthcare professional.

They will first wrap the injured area in soft cotton or a bandage. They’ll dip the casting material in water, then roll it over the padding like a bandage. It will harden to form a protective shell.

Casts can be made of different materials, such as:

• plaster of Paris
• fibreglass

Your arm or leg might swell in the first day or so. Sometimes your healthcare provider may cut slits in the full cast or split it lengthwise and secure it with tape. This helps stop the cast from becoming too tight.

How long will I have a cast for?

A cast usually stays on for 6 weeks but this can vary. Ask your doctor how long you should keep your cast.

During that time, you'll need to visit the hospital or clinic to:

• check your cast
• check how your bone is healing
• adjust your cast if needed

Why should I take care of my cast?

After your cast has been put on, it’s important to take good care of it. Looking after your cast can help:

• support healing
• avoid serious complications
• avoid unexpected cast changes
• make your healing process more comfortable
• avoid needing surgery

How do I take care of my cast?

Here are some tips to look after your cast:

• Keep your cast dry.
• Don’t insert objects into your cast.
• Check your cast daily.
• Avoid knocks or pressure on your cast.
• Follow your healthcare professional’s cast-care instructions.

How do I keep my cast dry?

If your cast isn’t water resistant, make sure it stays dry. When you shower or bathe, cover it with one or 2 plastic bags and seal the top with a rubber band or tape.

If your cast is water-resistant, ask your healthcare professional if it’s safe to get it wet. If it does get wet, rinse it with clean water. Then let the water drain out from both ends by changing the position of your cast.

How do I keep my cast clean?

Keep the inside of the cast away from:

• dirt
• sand
• food
• lotions
• oil

Dirt in your cast can lead to irritation or infection.

How do I check the fit of my cast?

As your swelling goes down, your cast might start to feel different. Check the fit regularly and contact your doctor if your cast feels too tight or painful or it rubs or presses on your skin.

Don’t cut or try to change the shape of the cast. Never try to remove a cast yourself.

How do I move around with a cast?

If you’ve had a plaster cast put on, rest for a couple of days afterwards. Keep your arm or leg raised for the first 2 days. This will help:

• your cast dry properly
• stop swelling
• prevent your cast from becoming too tight

Move your fingers or toes often to keep your blood flowing.

If the cast is on your foot, don’t walk directly on it. Use crutches and a plaster boot if you’ve been given them.

How do I manage itches?

Don’t insert anything inside your cast to scratch your skin. It could cause a cut, rash or infection.

If it becomes unbearable or if you’re worried, see your doctor. They might replace the cast.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience:

• a fever
• swelling, tingling, numbness or loss of movement in your fingers or toes
• fingers or toes that feel very cold
• a change in skin colour to white or blue
• a burning feeling, stinging, pins and needles or persistent pain under your cast

Go back to your doctor or hospital if you have problems with your cast, for example:

• your plaster cracks, breaks or goes soft
• your cast feels too tight or too loose
• you notice a bad smell coming from inside your cast
• you get blisters, a rash or red, raw skin around the edges or inside the cast

How is my cast taken off?

Once your bone has healed, the cast is removed using a special saw. It uses vibrations to break through your cast. This does not hurt or damage your skin.

Never try to remove your cast yourself.

Resources and Support

• Visit the Royal Children’s Hospital website for cast care advice.
• Safer Care Victoria has information on fractures and plaster care.
• Perth Children’s Hospital has a fact sheet about looking after your cast.
• Read more about care of your plaster cast at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.
• Learn about limb and cast care at Children's Health Queensland.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

• The Emergency Care Institute has cast care information in many languages.
• The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network has translated cast care information in several languages.