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Hand, Microsurgery and Reconstructive Orthopaedics, LLP |
Cast Care
- Hand, Microsurgery and Reconstructive Orthopaedics, LLP
- 300 State Street, Suite 205
- Erie, PA 16507
- Voice: 814-456-6022
- Email: hmro@erie.net
- ~~~~~Cast Care:
1. Elevate your injured extremity for the first few days after the cast has been applied. This prevents swelling by allowing the body fluids to drain. Elevation means above your heart.
2. Always observe for coldness, numbness or tingling, tightness, swelling, or blue discoloration of the extremity involved. If you are elevating your extremity and notice these symptoms, contact our office at once.
3. Ice should be applied directly over the fracture or injury for the first 48 hours. This also helps to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Exercise is very important. Remember to make a fist and straighten your fingers or toes. This will improve circulation thereby helping to reduce swelling and promote healing.
5. Do not put anything down your cast for any reason, such as hangers or any instrument that may poke the skin. This could cause irritation or infection.
**Parents: Be especially careful with small children who may put coins or other small objects inside their cast -- Follow-up care is important and extremely necessary.
6. Keep your cast dry at all times. Use a plastic bag over your cast while showering/bathing. The fiberglass is water resistant but the padding underneath is not. This will cause skin breakdown if it becomes damp. Call our office immediately if your cast becomes wet and cannot be dried with the use of a hair dryer.
7. Pain medication may have been ordered. Take as directed. Do remember, if your pain should become severe and somewhat relieved by medication, call our office at any time (there is an answering service that will contact the doctor.)
8. Use of slings should be limited unless otherwise ordered by your physician. Keeping your arm in a sling may cause further discomfort/stiffness or problems from limited movement. If you are wearing a sling, be sure to get instructions from your doctor.
9. Your cast will be removed by a specially designed cast saw. This saw has a vibrating blade that moves back and forth and does not spin around. It makes a noise. You will feel vibration and pressure, but you should not experience discomfort. It is good to prepare small children for this procedure so that they will not be frightened.
10. Remember, our office has an answering service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is always someone available to answer your questions.
- ~~~~~Wound Care
1. Remove old dressing - some of this may stick and can be removed when soaking.
2. Lay hand or finger in bowl or cup and pour straight peroxide over wound until area becomes completely submerged. This should remain in peroxide for about 10 minutes. Foaming in the presence of old blood or debris is normal.
3. Once the hand or finger has soaked, remove from peroxide and dry. Air drying is good for short time intervals after each soak.
4. Cover wound with Xeroform (yellow sterile dressing) if prescribed, followed by dry sterile 2x2 or 4x4 and Kling. For finger injuries Coban will be applied over 2X2 dressing followed by splint if necessary, and more Coban. In larger wounds, once the wound is covered, apply splint and secure with Ace bandage.
These steps should be done twice a day.
NOTE:
Some drainage is to be expected but if you notice large amounts of yellow-green drainage or notice an increase in redness with more swelling, please call the office immediately.
Definition of a Mallet Finger
A mallet finger is a tear in the tendon that controls the tip of your finger. This tear causes the loss of ability to straighten the end of your finger.
Treatment of a Mallet Finger
Initial treatment is non-operative, consisting of uninterrupted splinting. It must be emphasized that once splinting has been initiated, at no time should you go without the splint.
Splint Maintenance
Your splint must be removed on a daily basis to examine your skin. While changing the splint, your finger must remain supported in the extended (straight) position. This is most easily accomplished by placing the tip of your finger on the edge of a table.
Estimated Length of Healing
If proper care instructions are followed, your mallet finger should heal in approximately 8--12 weeks. If left unsupported, however, re-injury will occur causing your splinting time to start again.
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Orthopaedics, LLP