Frequently Asked Questions

We use a special cast saw that does not cut skin. The nurses in the clinic will remove the cast for you.

It is common for a cast to break down at certain points. The casts are made as light as possible, and certain areas are vulnerable. The heel in a cast that spans the ankle commonly wears out if you have been allowed to bear weight. You can apply tape to the area if needed or call the office to check if a new cast needs to be applied.

Itches are very common in a cast. You should never place anything down the cast to itch the skin. Doing so can lead to breaks in the skin because the skin under the cast is softened and more susceptible to injury. This can lead to an infection in some cases.

If you have a GORE PROCEL® Cast Liner, it is completely fine to get the cast wet. The cast may take a few hours to dry, especially if the cast crosses your ankle or elbow. If you get soapy or dirty water in the cast, simply rinse the cast with clean water.

If you have a standard cotton-lined cast, you can not get it wet. The cast will not dry well and can pose a problem to your skin. You can cover the cast with a plastic bag or two and tape the bag above the cast on your skin. This should keep drips off the cast which will enable you to take a shower or bath, but the bag will NOT allow you to swim or submerge the cast under the water.

Casts are put on snugly to adequately immobilize the bone or joint they are designed to protect. There are times however, when the cast may feel too tight. In the early days after an injury, swelling can set in and make a cast feel much tighter. This can often times be managed with simple elevation above your heart level. If this does not relieve your discomfort, you may need to have the cast removed.

There are two basic types of casts that we commonly use in the office. The most common type is a fiberglass cast that is wrapped over a cotton under-layer. This cast is light, easily removed, and very well padded so as to maximize comfort.

We will sometimes use GORE PROCEL® Cast Liners, which are water compatible. This cast is more expensive and a 20$-40$ co-pay may be charged. The decision to use this is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on a number of factors to be considered. We use this type most commonly for pediatric wrist and elbow fractures.

A cast is used typically to immobilize a broken bone. It spans at least one joint, preventing it from moving. The duration a cast is used varies considerably, from only a few weeks to months on occasion. Your surgeon will give you an idea how long your cast will be needed.