What is a cast?
A cast holds a broken bone in place as it heals. Casts also help to prevent or decrease muscle
contractions, and are effective at providing immobilization, especially after surgery.
Casts immobilize the joint above and the joint below the area that is to be kept straight and without
motion. For example, a child with a forearm fracture will have a long arm cast to immobilize the wrist
and elbow joints.
What are casts made of?
The outside, or hard part of the cast, is made from two different kinds of casting materials.
plaster - white in color.
fiberglass - comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs.
Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and to
provide padding around bony areas, such as the wrist or elbow.
Special waterproof cast liners may be used under a fiberglass cast, allowing the child to get the cast
wet. Consult your child's physician for special cast care instructions for this type of cast.
What are the different types of casts?
Below is a description of the various types of casts, the location of the body they are applied, and
their general function.
Type of Cast Location Uses
Short arm Applied below the Forearm or wrist fractures. Also used to hold the forearm
cast: elbow to the hand. or wrist muscles and tendons in place after surgery.
Long arm Applied from the Upper arm, elbow, or forearm fractures. Also used to
cast: upper arm to the hand. hold the arm or elbow muscles and tendons in place after
surgery.
Arm Applied from the To hold the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a
cylinder upper arm to the wrist. dislocation or surgery.
cast:
Illustrations of arm casts, 3 types
Click Image to Enlarge
Type of Location Uses
Cast
Shoulder Applied around the trunk Shoulder dislocations or after surgery on the shoulder
spica cast: of the body to the area.
shoulder, arm, and hand.
Minerva Applied around the neck After surgery on the neck or upper back area.
cast: and trunk of the body.
Short leg Applied to the area below Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains/strains, or
cast: the knee to the foot. fractures. Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles
and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.
Leg Applied from the upper Knee, or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or
cylinder thigh to the ankle. after surgery on the leg or knee area.
cast:
Illustrations of leg casts, 3 types
Click Image to Enlarge
Type of Cast Location Uses
Unilateral hip Applied from the chest to the foot on one Thigh fractures. Also used to hold
spica cast: leg. the hip or thigh muscles and
tendons in place after surgery to
allow healing.
One and one- Applied from the chest to the foot on one Thigh fracture. Also used to hold
half hip spica leg to the knee of the other leg. A bar is the hip or thigh muscles and
cast: placed between both legs to keep the hips tendons in place after surgery to
and legs immobilized. allow healing.
Bilateral long Applied from the chest to the feet. A bar is Pelvis, hip, or thigh fractures. Also
leg hip spica placed between both legs to keep the hips used to hold the hip or thigh
cast: and legs immobilized. muscles and tendons in place after
surgery to allow healing.
Illustrations of hip spica casts, 3 types
Click Image to Enlarge
Type of Cast Location Uses
Short leg hip Applied from the chest to the To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place
spica cast: thighs or knees. after surgery to allow healing.
Illustration of child wearing a short leg hip spica cast
Click Image to Enlarge
Type of Cast Location Uses
Abduction boot cast: Applied from the upper To hold the hip muscles
thighs to the feet. A bar and tendons in place after
is placed between both surgery to allow healing.
legs to keep the hips and
legs immobilized.
Illustration of child wearing abduction boots
Click Image to Enlarge
How can my child move around while in a cast?
Assistive devices for children with casts include:
crutches
walkers
wagons
wheelchairs
reclining wheelchairs
Cast care instructions:
Keep the cast clean and dry.
Check for cracks or breaks in the cast.
Rough edges can be padded to protect the skin from scratches.
Do not scratch the skin under the cast by inserting objects inside the cast.
Can use a hairdryer placed on a cool setting to blow air under the cast and cool down the
hot, itchy skin. Never blow warm or hot air into the cast.
Do not put powders or lotion inside the cast.
Cover the cast while your child is eating to prevent food spills and crumbs from entering the
cast.
Prevent small toys or objects from being put inside the cast.
Elevate the cast above the level of the heart to decrease swelling.
Encourage your child to move his/her fingers or toes to promote circulation.
Do not use the abduction bar on the cast to lift or carry the child.
Older children with body casts may need to use a bedpan or urinal in order to go to the bathroom.
Tips to keep body casts clean and dry and prevent skin irritation around the genital area include the
following:
Use a diaper or sanitary napkin around the genital area to prevent leakage or splashing of
urine.
Place toilet paper inside the bedpan to prevent urine from splashing onto the cast or bed.
Keep the genital area as clean and dry as possible to prevent skin irritation.
When to call your child's physician:
Contact your child's physician or healthcare provider if your child develops one or more of the
following symptoms:
fever greater than 101° F
increased pain
increased swelling above or below the cast
complaints of numbness or tingling
drainage or foul odor from the cast
cool or cold fingers or toes
