Instructions for children in an arm cast

If your cast feels too tight and your fingers become swollen, blue, very red or white and you have pins and needles, numbness and the pain is much worse, keep your arm raised on pillows. If after ONE HOUR, your fingers/hand do not feel any better, then you or your parent/carer must contact the Plaster Theatre IMMEDIATELY or go to the A & E Department at your local hospital during the night or at weekends.

If your arm/hand becomes too swollen, your cast will feel very tight and may restrict your circulation. Your cast may have to be split down the middle to make your arm/hand feel better. A bandage will be wrapped around your cast to keep your arm/hand in the correct position.

If you go to your local hospital with any problems, you or your parent/carer will need to make an appointment to have your cast reviewed in the Plaster Theatre as soon as possible. A doctor from the team who is looking after you may see you to make sure everything is okay.

If you experience any burning sensation, ‘blister’ like pain, rubbing, wetness/stickiness or a nasty smell coming from under your cast, please contact the Plaster Theatre immediately. This may mean that a wound infection or a sore is developing. A ‘window’ (hole) can be made in your cast so that we can look at the problem area. The doctor may want you to take antibiotic medicine or have a special dressing put on or changed as necessary.

If a ‘window’ is left in your cast so that you can have dressings changed, Velcro straps will be used to open and close the window. The window should always be closed securely otherwise your arm may swell through the opening, which could make your skin very sore. Once the wound or sore has healed, the window should be closed completely and this is done using the same casting material.

Please DO NOT put anything inside your cast to scratch as this can cut your skin and cause sores to develop, which may become infected. If anything accidentally falls inside your cast, please make an appointment as soon as possible to have it removed. Cold air from a fan or using wet wipes on any exposed areas can help you to feel more comfortable.

To help improve your circulation and prevent joint stiffness, you should exercise all joints which are not in the cast, as directed by your doctor.

Sometimes, when the swelling in your arm subsides, your cast may feel too loose. It may also become cracked or soft. If any of these happen, please contact the Plaster Theatre as soon as possible for an appointment to have your cast assessed. It may be necessary to reinforce or change the cast to ensure that the correct arm/hand position is maintained.

You may still bath or shower while in an arm cast providing you can manage to do so safely within your own limitations and you keep the cast dry at all times. You or your parent/carer can buy specially designed waterproof covers to go over the cast for this purpose. Please ask the Plaster Theatre staff for leaflets.

You may also need to consider how easy it will be for you to get into/out of the bath or shower. You may need someone with you to achieve this safely. It may be necessary to have a ‘strip wash’ if it is not possible to use your bath or shower safely.

Plaster Theatre
Tel: 020 8909 5467
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 07.45 - 17.00

Children’s ward
Tel: 020 8909 5487
Opening hours
 24 hours a day