PATIENT EDUCATION: CASTS AND COMPARTMENT SYNDROME

Understanding Casts

What it is: A cast is a hard covering made of plaster or fiberglass used to protect and support a broken bone while it heals.

Purpose: Keeps the bone in place, prevents movement, and helps the bone heal correctly.

Types of casts:

Short cast: Usually covers one joint above and below the broken bone.

Long cast: Covers more of the limb for larger or more serious fractures.

Symptoms to Watch For

While wearing a cast, it’s important to watch for warning signs that could mean something is wrong:

Normal symptoms: Mild swelling, slight discomfort, itching inside the cast.

Warning signs of problems:

Severe pain that doesn’t get better with pain medicine

Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes

Pale, cold, or bluish skin

Swelling that seems worse than usual

Inability to move fingers or toes

These could be signs of compartment syndrome, a serious condition where swelling inside the cast puts too much pressure on muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. It is a medical emergency.

Post-Cast Care

Keep the cast dry: Moisture can weaken the cast or cause skin infection.

Don’t stick objects inside the cast: Scratching inside can cause skin damage or infection.

Elevate the limb: Helps reduce swelling, especially in the first 48 hours.

Check circulation: Look at fingers or toes for color, warmth, and movement.

When to Call Home Health vs ER

Call your home health nurse or doctor: Mild itching, slight swelling, or general questions about care.

Go to the ER immediately: Severe pain, numbness, tingling, cold/pale/bluish fingers or toes, or inability to move them. These could be signs of compartment syndrome, which requires immediate medical attention.

Patient Homework/Assessment: Casts & Compartment Syndrome (20 True/False)

TRUE or FALSE: A cast helps a broken bone heal by keeping it in place.

TRUE or FALSE: Short casts cover only the broken bone itself.

TRUE or FALSE: Long casts cover more of the limb and joints above and below the fracture.

TRUE or FALSE: Mild itching inside the cast is normal.

TRUE or FALSE: Severe pain inside the cast that does not get better with medicine is a warning sign.

TRUE or FALSE: Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes is normal after a cast.

TRUE or FALSE: Cold, pale, or bluish fingers or toes can indicate a serious problem.

TRUE or FALSE: You can put objects inside the cast to scratch an itch.

TRUE or FALSE: Keeping the cast dry is important to prevent infection.

TRUE or FALSE: Elevating the limb can help reduce swelling.

TRUE or FALSE: Compartment syndrome is a medical emergency.

TRUE or FALSE: Mild swelling is always dangerous and requires an ER visit.

TRUE or FALSE: You should monitor your fingers or toes for movement and color changes.

TRUE or FALSE: It’s safe to ignore severe pain in a cast because it will go away.

TRUE or FALSE: Home health nurses can help with general questions about cast care.

TRUE or FALSE: Compartment syndrome happens when swelling puts pressure on muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

TRUE or FALSE: Circulation problems inside a cast can cause permanent damage if not treated quickly.

TRUE or FALSE: You should immediately go to the ER if you notice signs of compartment syndrome.

TRUE or FALSE: Slight discomfort in a cast is normal, but severe pain is not.

TRUE or FALSE: Only doctors need to monitor for problems; patients do not need to check their fingers or toes.

Answer Key with Explanations

TRUE – Casts keep the bone stable so it heals correctly.

FALSE – Short casts usually cover one joint above and below the fracture.

TRUE – Long casts cover more of the limb for stability.

TRUE – Mild itching is common inside the cast.

TRUE – Severe pain not relieved by medicine is a warning sign.

FALSE – Numbness or tingling can indicate a problem and should be reported.

TRUE – Cold, pale, or bluish fingers/toes are warning signs of poor circulation.

FALSE – Objects inside the cast can cause injury or infection.

TRUE – Keeping the cast dry prevents infection and damage.

TRUE – Elevating the limb helps reduce swelling.

TRUE – Compartment syndrome is dangerous and requires urgent care.

FALSE – Mild swelling is common, but severe swelling is dangerous.

TRUE – Monitoring helps detect problems early.

FALSE – Severe pain must not be ignored; it may indicate a serious issue.

TRUE – Nurses can assist with questions about care.

TRUE – Compartment syndrome is caused by pressure from swelling inside the cast.

TRUE – Untreated circulation problems can cause permanent damage.

TRUE – Signs of compartment syndrome need immediate ER attention.

TRUE – Slight discomfort is normal, but severe pain is not.

FALSE – Patients must monitor for changes in circulation and movement.