Orthopaedic Surgery - Plaster instructions - Fractures of the arm

DO NOT push objects down your cast and DO NOT get your cast wet. This may cause severe skin problems.

When sitting or lying remove the sling and rest your arm up on a cushion or pillow.

Contact plaster room immediately if any of the following occur.

• The plaster becomes too tight, too loose, soft or cracked
• The swelling increases, causing problems
• Your fingers become blue or pale
• You experience numbness, tingling or a dead feeling

Removable cast (FRC)
☐    Your cast must not be removed

Your cast may be removed for:
☐    Personal hygiene
☐    Exercise
☐    Wound care

It is sometimes difficult to know whether a pain is due to a tight plaster. If in doubt, it is always safer to report back to the hospital.

Exercises for your injured arm

Exercising your hand and arm whilst in plaster will help to reduce the swelling of your hand.

If this is done regularly it will speed up your recovery when the plaster is removed.

You should do the exercises every hour.

If you have been given a sling to wear, remove it before you do the exercises.

• Lift your arm above your head (5 times)
• Bend and straighten your elbow fully (5 times) (not for patients with an above elbow plaster)
• Close your fingers and try to touch the plaster across your palm (10 times), then straighten your fingers fully (10 times)
• Take your thumb to touch the tip of each finger in turn. The plaster may restrict how far across your palm you can reach
• If you cannot touch the plaster with your fingertips, please tell the doctor when you attend the fracture clinic

Try to use your hand for light activities e.g. dressing and eating, but do not try to lift heavy objects.

Contact Details

Telephone: 0161 206 4900
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4pm
Emergencies which occur outside these hours, contact the Accident and Emergency Department on 0161 206 1373.