A fifth of all leg injuries are ankle fractures. Dry statistical figures, behind which thousands of people are forced to spend weeks, or even months, with a leg immobilized by a cast. When the acute period passes, severe pain remains a thing of the past, you want to quickly return the ability to move independently. Whether you can step on your leg in a cast if you have a broken ankle depends on the severity of the injury and the progress of your recovery.
Types of ankle fractures and immobilization periods
The ankle joint is very complex in structure. This joint is made up of several bones. A fracture can be divided according to the principle of damage to one of them, the severity and nature of the injury.
The types and their descriptions are given in the table below:
Variety | Characteristics and symptoms |
Lateral | The lateral bone of the ankle (fibula) is damaged. |
Medial | The medial (tibia) bone of the ankle is damaged. |
Double | There are cracks and breaks in both bones that form the ankle (tibia and tibia) |
Interior | Characteristic are various injuries to the bone (sometimes to the ligaments) without breaking the skin. The skin at the site of injury acquires a reddish-bluish tint, hematoma and swelling develop. |
Open | When bones are injured, their fragments violate the integrity of the skin, their edges are visible |
With offset | As a result of injury, the fragments are displaced relative to each other. |
No offset | There was a break, but the bones remained in the same place. |
A fracture usually contains several characteristics. For example, internal lateral without displacement.
The characteristics of each type determine the timing of application of the fixing bandage. Plaster is applied to immobilize the limbs and provide rest to the leg until the damaged structures heal. Therefore, step on the leg if the ankle is fractured without displacement or with displacement or with another type of injury highly not recommended.
Fractures without displacement
An undisplaced fracture heals faster than a displaced fracture.
For internal injuries without displacement, an immobilizing bandage is applied for up to 1.5 months. You can walk after an ankle fracture after removing such a bandage, when the doctor allows, after the bone has fused, but relying on special devices (crutches).
If the leg stops hurting in a cast, this does not mean that it is healthy and you can stand on it, transferring weight. This can only be resolved by a doctor after conducting a control x-ray examination.
Standing on your leg in a cast can cause displacement, and if the fracture has already been displaced, it may manifest itself secondary in a cast.
Plaster should be applied for a certain period of time:
- If you have a fracture of the lateral or medial ankle without displacement, you should walk in a cast for 3.5 - 4 weeks.
- If two ankles are broken without displacement, the period of application of an immobilizing bandage is 6–8 weeks.
Thus, after suffering a fracture of the inner ankle without displacement, you can step on the leg only after complete healing and removal of the bandage. Already on the day of liberation from shackles, you can move, stepping on the injured leg, but for now with support.
Displaced fractures
Stepping on a leg after a displaced fracture is strictly prohibited. Sometimes surgery is required before applying a bandage. After the operation, a cast is applied for up to three months or more. Until complete fusion of the fragments in the correct direction is confirmed, it is prohibited to step on the cast with such an ankle fracture.
For proper fusion of displaced areas, it is extremely important to seek medical help in the first days after the injury occurs, undergo an examination and receive the necessary treatment.
To realign the bones, the doctor performs certain manipulations with mandatory anesthesia, sometimes on the spot, sometimes it is necessary to hospitalize the patient and perform an operation. This is especially true in cases with open injuries. After the operation is completed, the victim is given an immobilizing bandage or the skeletal traction method is used, and after a month a plaster cast is applied.
This tactic is suitable for particularly severe cases.
The timing of limb immobilization is strictly defined:
- If the bones have shifted relative to each other, a bandage is applied for a period of 4 to 5 weeks.
- When two ankles are broken with displacement, the period increases to 8 - 10 weeks.
- Particularly severe injuries require wearing a plaster cast for up to 12–15 weeks.
It happens that after realignment of the bones and a period of immobilization, the displacement occurs again, so the doctor may refer the patient for a control x-ray several times during the treatment period. To prevent recurrent displacement, it is very important to follow all doctor’s recommendations and not expose the leg to dangerous loads.
Permissible load
During the rehabilitation period you need to walk with support
It is very important during the rehabilitation period (and it begins while the leg is still in plaster) to maintain normal blood circulation in the affected leg. To do this, two weeks after the start of therapy, it is recommended:
- Massage of non-plastered areas of the leg.
- Performing acceptable physical therapy exercises.
- Hardware therapy: magnet, UHF, laser.
- After some time (as determined by the doctor), you can begin to walk with support.
After the leg is freed from the plaster shackles, you need to engage in physical therapy in a more intensive mode to restore all functions of the ankle.
It is important to eat properly during this period for tissue restoration. The diet must contain sufficient amounts of protein, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals and vitamins necessary for the regeneration of damaged leg structures.
What to do with swelling
Swelling of the leg in a cast or after removing the bandage is quite common. This is not a reason to develop your leg with titanic efforts and try to walk in a cast. This condition is due to a number of reasons:
- changes in the outflow and inflow of blood in the injured leg;
- slow lymph circulation;
- violation of the integrity of ligaments, muscles of the lymphatic ducts,
- a fairly tightly applied plaster cast.
Swelling can occur both while wearing an immobilizing bandage and after its removal. To eliminate it, you need to establish blood circulation and muscle activity.
This is fully possible only after removing the plaster using:
- salt baths;
- massage;
- magnetic therapy.
During the period of immobilization of the leg, you can use massage on its open areas and physiotherapy prescribed by a doctor.
How long the leg will spend in a cast and the period of complete rehabilitation depend on individual parameters. These include:
- patient's age. If the victim is an elderly person, the fusion will last longer than in young people;
- complexity of the fracture (how many bones were damaged, whether there was subluxation, displacement, perforation of the skin, and so on);
- concomitant diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Rushing and the desire to quickly get up and start walking after such a complex injury can lead to irreversible consequences, the fracture will take longer to heal, and the rehabilitation period will be delayed.
THE CHIEF CHINESE JOINT DOCTOR GAVE INVALUABLE ADVICE:
ATTENTION! If you do not have the opportunity to get an appointment with a GOOD doctor, DO NOT SELF-medicate! Listen to what the rector of China Medical University has to say about this Professor Park.
And here is some invaluable advice on restoring diseased joints from Professor Park:
Read more >>>Why is my leg blue under the cast?
If you fall unsuccessfully or hit hard, you can injure your leg, even breaking it. This is a complex disorder that entails a long period of treatment and recovery.
Quite often, such damage is accompanied by swelling; it can appear immediately after the injury, while wearing a plaster cast or after its removal. Almost all patients with a fracture complain that the leg in a cast swells.
in stockadmin administrator
Measures for the treatment of leg swelling after a fracture to quickly restore blood circulation.
RaikAOne of the insanities of modern medicine, when they apply
circulatory disorders
What happens after a leg fracture? Why does the injured leg swell after the cast is removed?
Urgently see the doctor! It shouldn't be like this.
The main priority tasks in the process of leg rehabilitation:
- With the help of physiotherapy, massage and rubbing.
- Human muscles are actively involved in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, for this reason they need constant training. As muscle tissue works, new blood is more actively supplied to it, that is, the amount of nutrients and oxygen increases. While wearing a cast, the loads either decrease or completely stop, as a result, the muscle cells atrophy. In the treatment process, an extremely important point is the normalization of functionality after a fracture. This task is very difficult, however, if you follow all the recommendations and advice, then leg mobility can be restored in the shortest possible time.
- Swelling of the leg after an ankle fracture photo
- Doctors prescribe medications to speed up the growth of callus, as well as analgesics for pain relief. However, you can speed up the process of bone fusion by reviewing your diet. It is worth paying attention to calcium- and phosphorus-containing foods: milk, cottage cheese, cheese, fermented milk products, grapes, currants, beets, carrots, cherries, bran, almonds, liver, shrimp, spinach, seaweed, beans, green peas, parsley and others.
- The swelling is accompanied by severe aching pain at the fracture site, and when the bandage is removed, a change in the color of the skin is revealed, that is, a huge bruise. With an open fracture, comminuted, intra-articular or displaced, the leg may become completely swollen.
The general recovery period after plaster removal is divided into the following three stages:
- I've been in a cast for 2 months now :-)) My leg probably doesn't go numb, but swells? This is fine. When you sit, put your foot on an ottoman or somewhere else, don’t hold it down for a long time. For the first month, my whole leg hurt, both joints and muscles, the whole thing was just cramped. A month after applying the plaster, it became much better. It doesn't hurt now. But there are muscle spasms in the evenings when I go to bed. If you have pain in some place and then it stops, then this is normal. If it hurts in some place constantly and for a long time, as well as at the site of a fracture, go to the doctor. The doctor prescribed me a painkiller called Xefocam. If you haven't been prescribed anything, buy yourself one. Just don’t get carried away, take it less often. And take care of your leg.
- By SCASH the other leg so that the psychological one can calm himself down!!!:-)….
- Yes! to the doctor! The plaster was most likely applied incorrectly. And then the bones may grow incorrectly.
stone fortress plaster!?!?The swelling simply has nowhere to go, and it tears the vessels, pouring into the tissues and
womanjournal.org
Dmitry Lvov
Performing specially designed physical exercises.
It is necessary to eliminate muscle atrophy, as well as vascular changes;
Swelling of the leg after a fracture of the ankle appears due to impaired blood circulation or as a result of lymph circulation in the soft tissues
To avoid having to deal with such a problem, it is better to prevent its formation. You should keep your leg in a horizontal position, slightly elevated; a small pillow or bolster is ideal for this; you should not stand on your leg or lean on it when walking.
igor kertsman Igor Kertsman
Urgently see the doctor! It should not be.
consult a doctor. The plaster was probably applied too tightly. This makes my leg go numb. If the pain goes away, then it was a bruise from a fracture. It happens that it takes a long time to dissolve. Deepest sympathy for mom
The plaster was placed incorrectly, apparently the doctor is bad, in general, take this one off and put on another one
If a circular plaster cast (which in principle should not be) is carefully cut longitudinally. URGENTLY.
Otherwise there will be gangrene of the limb and the leg will be amputated. If it is a plaster splint, then unwind the bandage and bandage it not so tightly.
You can massage your leg a little until blood circulation is restored. If the cyanosis does not go away after the plaster is loosened and the limb is cold to the touch, then the situation is extremely serious.
URGENTLY to the Doctors.
The main causes of swelling after a fracture
A person with osteoporosis has an 80% chance of breaking his arms or legs. But even if the bones are strong enough, this kind of injury can result from:
- Careless movement.
- Falls.
- Road traffic accident.
- Injuries at work.
- Criminal attack.
- Athletes.
- Children.
- Pensioners.
Signs that are characteristic of limb injuries are as follows:
- sharp throbbing pain in the leg, making it impossible to move it;
- limitation of motor function of the limb;
- hematoma or swelling;
- crunching sound at the moment of damage;
- mobility of the leg is not in the bend;
- protrusion of bone when open fracture;
- unnatural position of the limb.
Even after the plaster is removed, some of the symptoms that were present during the acute period may persist. Among them are swelling. If they do not go away for a long time, this is considered a dangerous situation. It's better to consult a specialist. Congestion in the limbs after fractures is successfully eliminated with the help of massages and physiotherapy.
Edema occurs when fluid accumulates in the tissues, and this can be considered normal, due to the fact that during fractures the natural circulation of lymph and general blood flow are disrupted, which leads to the accumulation of lymph in the intercellular space.
Such pathologies lead to disruption of the exchange of blood and lymphatic fluid through the capillaries, as a result of which it enters through the walls of blood vessels into the surrounding tissue, causing extravasation, since reabsorption is impaired.
All swelling after fractures begins to develop gradually, especially in those places where the fractures are located, but then the swelling spreads to the entire limb. It can develop either in one or two days or after several years, so an X-ray must be taken before applying the cast.
The place where the tumor is located significantly loses sensitivity, changes the color of the skin, swelling limits movement, and causes pain. If it is not possible to get rid of the swelling in time, this leads to the development of cosmetic defects.
When a person's cast is removed, swelling or lymphedema may remain because the outflow and inflow of lymph is disrupted. This phenomenon can be observed especially often after a broken leg. This damages ligaments, blood vessels and lymph nodes.
The causes of swelling after a cast are insufficient development of the joints when the limb is in a cast, which leads to muscle atrophy, poor circulation and decreased lymph circulation. Quite often, edema develops due to injury to the lymphatic duct, due to improper application of a plaster or bandage.
If swelling is not treated promptly, bone death may occur. This phenomenon occurs due to a violation of the outflow of lymph and blood, so the bone tissue does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen, which leads to such severe pathologies.
When the leg is in a cast, it is necessary to carry out certain preventive actions that are aimed at preventing the development of edema or its increase. Therefore, in case of a fracture, the part of the body that has been cast in a cast, in this case the leg, should be kept in a horizontal position or on a slight elevation, but in no case should you lean on it, not only when walking, but also when the person is standing still.
After the plaster is removed, there is no need to lean on the leg until complete recovery; it is necessary to disperse the fluid and, with the help of massage, not allow it to stagnate, which leads to the rapid enrichment of the muscles with the necessary nutrients, but one should not exert stress and avoid sudden movements.
When a person receives a fracture, he should immediately think about prevention, which consists of quickly and correctly applying a plaster or fixing bandage. Therefore, an elastic bandage that can be wrapped over the plaster helps a lot; it improves fixation, but this must be done carefully so as not to disturb the blood flow and quickly relieve swelling.
Types of ankle fractures and immobilization periods
The ankle joint is very complex in structure. This joint is made up of several bones. A fracture can be divided according to the principle of damage to one of them, the severity and nature of the injury.
Variety | Characteristics and symptoms |
Lateral | The lateral bone of the ankle (fibula) is damaged. |
Medial | The medial (tibia) bone of the ankle is damaged. |
Double | There are cracks and breaks in both bones that form the ankle (tibia and tibia) |
Interior | Characteristic are various injuries to the bone (sometimes to the ligaments) without breaking the skin. The skin at the site of injury acquires a reddish-bluish tint, hematoma and swelling develop. |
Open | When bones are injured, their fragments violate the integrity of the skin, their edges are visible |
With offset | As a result of injury, the fragments are displaced relative to each other. |
No offset | There was a break, but the bones remained in the same place. |
A fracture usually contains several characteristics. For example, internal lateral without displacement.
The characteristics of each type determine the timing of application of the fixing bandage. Plaster is applied to immobilize the limbs and provide rest to the leg until the damaged structures heal. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to step on the leg if the ankle is fractured without displacement or with displacement, or with any other type of injury.
Fractures without displacement
For internal injuries without displacement, an immobilizing bandage is applied for up to 1.5 months. You can walk after an ankle fracture after removing such a bandage, when the doctor allows, after the bone has fused, but relying on special devices (crutches).
If the leg stops hurting in a cast, this does not mean that it is healthy and you can stand on it, transferring weight. This can only be resolved by a doctor after conducting a control x-ray examination.
Standing on your leg in a cast can cause displacement, and if the fracture has already been displaced, secondary displacement in the cast is possible.
Plaster should be applied for a certain period of time:
- At a fracture lateral or medial malleolus You are supposed to walk in a cast for 3.5 – 4 weeks without displacement.
- If two ankles are broken without displacement, the period of application of an immobilizing bandage is 6–8 weeks.
Thus, after suffering a fracture of the inner ankle without displacement, you can step on the leg only after complete healing and removal of the bandage. Already on the day of liberation from shackles, you can move, stepping on the injured leg, but for now with support.
Displaced fractures
Stepping on a leg after a displaced fracture is strictly prohibited. Sometimes surgery is required before applying a bandage. After the operation, a cast is applied for up to three months or more. Until complete fusion of the fragments in the correct direction is confirmed, it is prohibited to step on the cast with such an ankle fracture.
For proper fusion of displaced areas, it is extremely important to seek medical help in the first days after the injury occurs, undergo an examination and receive the necessary treatment. To realign the bones, the doctor performs certain manipulations with mandatory anesthesia, sometimes on the spot, sometimes it is necessary to hospitalize the patient and perform an operation.
This is especially true in cases with open injuries. After the operation is completed, the victim is given an immobilizing bandage or the skeletal traction method is used, and after a month a plaster cast is applied.
This tactic is suitable for particularly severe cases.
The timing of limb immobilization is strictly defined:
- If the bones have shifted relative to each other, a bandage is applied for a period of 4 to 5 weeks.
- When two ankles are broken with displacement, the period increases to 8 - 10 weeks.
- Particularly severe injuries require wearing a plaster cast for up to 12–15 weeks.
Traditional methods of treating edema after fractures
Self-medication for broken leg bones is unacceptable. If you receive a serious injury, you must consult a traumatologist and undergo outpatient treatment.
If the case is extremely difficult, treatment takes place in a hospital. Only a traumatologist will be able to correctly determine the characteristics of the injury, the location of bone fragments, monitor how correctly the bone is healing, measure the necessary time, etc.
The doctor strives to normalize the position of the fragments of the leg bones, returning to their original position before the injury. The traumatologist then strives to keep the fragments in a stationary position while the bone heals.
It is possible to straighten and fix the fragments using plaster casts, specialized devices, and in extremely severe cases - by performing a surgical operation when various types of metal structures are used.
To quickly and efficiently eliminate swelling after fractures, you can use a decoction of fir branches and use this decoction to make baths, after which you take a small amount of fir and rub it on all the swollen areas.
Good luck to you! Get well! _Roman_
I had a fractured ankle, they put me in a normal position and my leg didn’t hurt.
Yura Baranovsky
Luda Vysotskaya
consult your doctors!
If you can walk, then going to school won’t make you fall apart
You can't do this! If you walk in a cast, the callus, which is still very fragile, will shift and the leg will change its shape, and then, in order to put everything in place, you will have to break the leg again and heal it again! Mom is wrong!
under pressure, bone fragments may shift, they may heal incorrectly - in the end you will have to break the bone and re-align it. Have you tried an elbow crutch? they say it’s more convenient.
Joselyn
You definitely can’t put all the weight on this leg, it can get sore “sharply” so to speak and it will be even worse.
Konstantin Vylegzhanin
If you step on your foot and hope that you can step in a cast, you are very mistaken and interfere with regeneration, displacing bone fragments.
It depends on what you mean by walking. If this means visiting, then it is at your discretion (as I understand it, plaster boots below the knee), but keep in mind that you will most likely need outside help there, because this includes the second concept of the word walk - stepping on a leg in a cast. Ordinary plaster is not capable of long-term loads; it begins to crumble and lose its shape, but loading the leg is actually useful. For this purpose, special semi-rigid immobilizing bandages Softcast and Elastcast were invented. They are more expensive, but you can shower in them and step on your feet (without fanaticism). So, decide for yourself. I had such a case when a workaholic went to work with a cast, climbed the stairs, the crutches came apart, he fell and broke his arm.
Is it possible to walk in a cast?
For a broken limb, movement on crutches is indicated.
Danila Antonenko
Button
Find it on the Internet and have a look. A friend of mine went through this. says it’s much more convenient.
No, don't step on it. Very delicate cartilage tissue is formed there; it doesn’t cost anything to break it again! And it will be much worse and more painful and wearing the cast will be extended. Moreover, only 1.5 weeks have passed, which is very little. The doctor will allow you to step on the fracture after a thorough examination of the condition of the fracture and removal of the plaster. And after the cast is removed, exercise, running, and jumping are usually prohibited for another month.
And in the future, your leg may ache at the site of the fracture.
Is it possible to go to school with a cast on my leg?
What, is it embarrassing to be on crutches? My wife has a dislocation - a cast for a month.
It’s better not to strain your leg, it may come back to haunt you in the future.
You MUST NOT step on your feet.
Lilac fairy
I believe that you need to go to school!
It’s better not to, you can just study at home and write tests in class at the end of the month.
You'll be so cute. There you need more of a head.
you can if you want... .
***SKARLETT***
LADY with a dog
Work_sergei
Helena
Roman Filippov
This is not normal.
They lifted me up on the 2nd day after knee surgery.
Sali-Mali
=Evo4ka=
but better rest
It's better not! God forbid there is some kind of displacement, then you won’t forgive yourself...
if you don’t step on your foot too much
No need. one careless movement and surgery and a cast and three months. sit still.
In general, if it doesn’t hurt, it’s okay (at least that’s what we were told), although the first 3-4 weeks are not advisable, as the process of healing and fusion is underway...
It is normal if your leg hurts in a cast. -----
Just because you can move doesn’t mean everything is fine! If it heals incorrectly there will be an operation and bones will be broken again, do you need it??
It depends _how_ it hurts and how long ago the cast was applied. The first time after a fracture, naturally, you will hurt! :(But if the cast has been applied for quite a long time, the pain was there at first, then almost went away and suddenly started again for no reason, then I advise you to urgently consult a doctor! At least call him!
This means it was installed incorrectly and regeneration cannot occur.
I walked along the long corridors of the regional hospital.
You try going to school. If the leg swells or hurts very much, then the mother will see it herself and feel sorry for her daughter :-)
well, of course, straining your sore leg at least is not very good, although if you have crutches with you... then you can... but to be honest... I don’t understand such a need... there are certificates... (sick leave)... with a broken leg you need peace for the growth to be correct...
Sergey Vasilievich
Irina Sobol
Alexandra Yankovskaya
- My leg is swollen after the cast is removed, what should I do?
- How long does it take to walk in a cast for a broken leg?
- After removing the cast from the leg, rehabilitation
All complex injuries and falls usually end with your arm or leg in a cast. This is a very unpleasant condition, as it significantly limits movement. You won’t be able to accelerate much with plastered legs, so you need to plan all your actions and movements in detail so as not to fall again and aggravate an already difficult situation. Crutches can be used to move around the room and outside. Initially, it is quite difficult to get used to them, but after a few days you will be able to move without fear, relying on them.
Only a doctor knows how to apply a cast; do not try to cope with this task yourself. There is a whole technique for applying a cast to a leg, and without significant skills, you will not be able to complete the main task of the bandage, which is aimed at properly fixing the broken bone. An experienced doctor knows exactly where to tie the bandage tightly and where to loosen it a little so that the bones heal correctly. Even if at first glance it seemed to you that there is nothing complicated here, you will not be able to apply plaster for fractures without further adverse consequences.
Instead of plaster, today you can apply special hard bandages that are not afraid of moisture and are well fixed to the affected areas. The disadvantage of this alternative is its cost; in comparison with conventional plaster, the price of a hard bandage is not affordable for all people.
The length of time you wear a cast directly depends on the complexity of the injury. In most cases, the period of wearing a plaster cast is from 4 to 8 weeks; in cases with displaced fractures, the period of wearing a plaster cast is 15 weeks.
Swelling of the legs due to wearing a plaster cast
Almost all patients who have experienced leg fractures claim that after the cast is removed, the leg swells greatly. Sometimes, after removing the plaster, a person notices bluish skin at the fracture site. Both swelling and bruising can be explained by the fact that the plastic cast disrupts the normal outflow and inflow of fluid in the intercellular space of the skin of the injured limb. Impaired blood flow can also be caused by the fact that the cast on the leg is not applied correctly or the bandage is tied too tightly. If the swelling does not go away, and the leg becomes increasingly blue and painful, you should immediately consult your doctor. He will examine the leg, change the bandage and do an ultrasound to rule out possible consequences of leg injury.
Few people know what to do when a leg in a cast swells, so when visiting a doctor you need to listen to him very carefully and follow the recommendations exactly. If thrombosis does not occur, then, as a rule, the doctor will prescribe a course of procedures that will restore muscle activity in the leg. Among such rehabilitation measures, the following are very effective:
- foot massage;
- baths with infusions of medicinal herbs;
- baths with sea salt;
- use of wax or ozokerite;
- magnetotherapy.
The doctor will additionally prescribe painkillers and may suggest reviewing your diet. Eating the right foods is very important during the healing process. For fractures, it is recommended to use the following products:
- milk;
- cottage cheese;
- grape;
- currant;
- carrot;
- almond;
- liver;
- seaweed;
- beans and green peas;
- parsley, etc.
The thing is that the above products contain large amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which have a beneficial effect on the restoration of bone tissue.
Swimming with leg casts
Most people, when they have a fracture, find themselves in a rather unpleasant situation, because not everyone immediately understands how to wash in the bathroom so as not to wet the plaster, as it can spread.
Plastic plaster, unlike regular plaster, does not get wet, so if possible, it is better to use it. Plastic plaster is much lighter than a regular bandage, it allows air to pass through well, the leg under it will not get steamy, and the swelling that appears after removing the classic type of plaster may not affect you.
If you have already encountered a classic plaster cast, then the advice on how to bathe with a cast is as follows: wrap your leg with plastic wrap and go to the bathroom without fear. As an alternative, you can use plastic bags; the film, of course, will stick better, because its edge sticks tightly to the leg, but the bags can be wrapped with tape. Modern medicine has made great progress in this matter, and in some pharmacies you can find specially designed bathing covers.
Elimination of itching under a plaster cast
If there is a fracture, it is forbidden to move your leg, because that is why plaster was applied to fix it. Due to wearing the bandage for a long time, and the cast, as you know, is not removable, the inside of the leg itches very much. Do not use sharp objects or other office supplies with a sharp end under any circumstances. Most people do this to relieve the itching, but it is very dangerous because you can injure your leg and get an infection. There are a number of methods that will help reduce your suffering, these include:
- ice pack;
- antihistamines.
The cold air that comes from the hairdryer can effectively soothe the itching that has formed under the cast. Lightly tapping the cast will create a slight vibration, which should also temporarily reduce the scabies. By placing an ice pack on the cast, you will very soon feel a slight cooling sensation on the affected area, which will relieve irritation. Antihistamines can control symptoms such as itching to some extent. The correct dosage of the drug should save you from this unpleasant phenomenon. If itching continues for a long time, consult your doctor immediately.
In order for your leg to recover quickly and the bones to heal correctly, try not to neglect the advice of your doctor.
Move less, reduce the load on your lower limbs, take more vitamins and very soon you will be able to get back on your feet, literally.
A plaster cast helps muscles and bones heal properly. The cast must be worn for 3 to 24 weeks, depending on the injury.
To avoid skin irritation or infection, your cast needs to be cared for. By following our tips, you will experience less discomfort when wearing a cast. The plaster must dry evenly and completely. It will quickly air dry. If your doctor has advised you to place a pillow under it before it dries, cover it with plastic wrap and place a towel on top to absorb moisture. Do not place wet plaster directly on the plastic.
To ensure the plaster dries evenly, change position on the pad every 2 hours. Avoid touching the cast with your fingertips to prevent bulges from forming inside, which will then irritate the skin.
After the plaster has dried, use a damp cloth to remove dirt and stains. Use as little water as possible. Then wipe off the moisture thoroughly.
Protect the plaster from hitting a hard surface. If the cast is on your foot, wear it to protect the cast as you move, or use a piece of carpet or felt to cushion it. It should cover the heel and protrude forward on the toes. You can secure the lining with a sock or slipper.
To make it easier to put on clothes and protect the plaster cast from contamination, use ones made from supplex. To prevent the plaster from crumbling during sleep, you can use fleece ones. The cover should be slightly longer than the plaster so that you can tuck the ends under the edge (if necessary).
Wash the skin around the edges of the cast every day with water and mild soap, covering the cast with plastic wrap. When taking water procedures, you can use.
Carefully dry the skin under the edge of the cast. Don't get it wet. After drying, rub the skin with alcohol - this will strengthen it. To avoid skin irritation, remove all loose particles that you can reach.
Do not try to relieve the itching with sharp objects - you may injure yourself and cause an infection.
How to deal with itching and skin irritation
No matter how itchy the skin under the cast is, do not try to relieve the itching with any sharp objects - you may injure yourself and provoke an outbreak of infection. Do not place napkins under the edges of the plaster, do not pour lotions - this can harm blood circulation.
Itching can be eliminated using a hand-held hair dryer by turning off the heat and directing a stream of cold air to the itchy area.
After drying, the uneven edges of the plaster can irritate the skin. To avoid this, cover the edge of the plaster with strips of adhesive plaster, carefully smoothing out the parts that are bent into the plaster.
Protect the cast from moisture when showering, swimming, and in wet weather before going outside. Moisture can ruin the plaster. If it is slightly damp, let it air dry. If your arm is in a cast, your doctor may recommend that you use a sling to support it without disturbing the injured area. Find out how often and for how long you can remove the sling. You should check daily for complications such as wound discharge or excessive swelling.
Monitor wound discharge
If the cast covers the wound, you can expect some bleeding in the first 48 hours after it is applied. They can stain plaster or bedding.
In this case, outline the stain on the plaster with a felt-tip pen and write the date and time. It may signal phenomena that require the attention of a doctor.
Tell your doctor if:
- discharge leaves bright red spots;
- discharge appears if there is no wound under the plaster (an ulcer could form under the pressure of the plaster);
- the spot increases;
- the discharge changes color and smell (this may be a sign of infection).
Check sensitivity and mobility
Check sensitivity several times a day by touching areas of the body above and below the cast. Is there numbness? Do you feel any tingling or pain?
Move the fingers of the casted limb. If you are unable to do this or are experiencing more pain than usual, contact your doctor.
Check your circulation
Press down on the nail of the casted limb until it turns white. Let go. If normal color does not return after approximately 2 seconds, consult a doctor immediately. Repeat this check at least three times a day.
If your fingers are cold, cover them. If this doesn't help, go to the doctor.
Fighting swelling
Some swelling of the casted limb is normal, but there should not be significant swelling. To avoid increasing swelling, proceed as follows.
Watch for swelling around the edges of the cast.
Keep the casted limb elevated above heart level for as long as possible using two regular pillows. If prescribed by your doctor, use ice.
If your leg is in a cast, sit or lie with your leg raised on pillows.
If your arm is in a cast, support it with something so that the part below the elbow is higher than the level of your heart.
Watch for swelling around the edges of the cast. To do this, compare the casted limb with a healthy one.
materials used from www.knigamedika.ru