A doctor has assessed you and decided you need to go into a thumb spica.
This casts can go from just below the elbow to the knuckles but include the thumb or from the wrist and up the thumb (depending on injury).
These casts are used for thumb injuries or some carpal bones (bones in the hand) injuries.
Getting it wet could irritate your skin. Either wrap a towel around it and keep away from water or purchase a waterproof cover (these are available online).
Making a fist and stretching fingers out will also help relieve swelling. It is very important to keep the joints not in cast moving. If struggling to make a fist, opposite hand can be used to help fingers flex and extend.
In order to alleviate swelling/symptoms of swelling, arm must be elevated with hand above ear whilst making a full fist and releasing fingers for up to five minutes each hour. You should elevate arm whilst sat or stood up, not when laying down.
Contact plaster room if your cast becomes broken.
Be vigilant of cast rubbing/burning sensation inside cast. Contact plaster room ASAP.
If you have pain that cannot be controlled with pain relief you must attend A&E immediately.
Never attempt to remove a cast yourself.
Do not put plastic bags around the cast, these are not waterproof and can cause skin issues under the cast.
This can cause additional skin problems under the cast that may require further medical treatment.
If there are rough edges or your skin is irritated around the ends, contact plaster room.
Swelling or the symptoms of swelling of the upper limbs is common post injury/surgery.
In order to alleviate swelling/symptoms of swelling, arm must be elevated with hand above ear whilst making a full fist (without thumb) and releasing fingers for up to five minutes each hour. If struggling to make a fist, opposite hand can be used to help fingers flex and extend.
You should elevate arm whilst sat or stood up, not when laying down.
It is very important to keep the joints not in cast moving. See exercise video.
It is important to be vigilant of upper limb casts rubbing/causing pain. Prolonged pressure on a certain area has the potential to cause skin damage. Common areas this could occur in are
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Before you ring us…
It is really important that you use this Plaster Room site to access all the advice and information that we think essential for your successful recovery.
Please only ring us for one of these specified reasons:
