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Aug 28, 2017 · Fragment rotation with the brace (0.0°) and cast (0.1°) significantly reduced sagittal plane rotation compared to the non-stabilized forearm (12.3°) (P < 0.001). The brace and the cast provided similar stabilization in both rotation and translation at all 4 loads.
If the distal radius fracture is in a good position, a splint or cast is applied. It often serves as a final treatment until the bone heals. Usually a cast will remain on for up to six weeks. Then you will be given a removable wrist splint to wear for comfort and support.
Surgery typically involves making an incision on the wrist over the fracture to access the broken bone(s). Important structures such as arteries, nerves, and tendons are identified and protected. The surgeon realigns the broken bone(s) directly through the incision.
- Overview
- Procedure Details
- Risks / Benefits
- Recovery and Outlook
- When to Call the Doctor
Casts hold an injured part of your body in place, especially while you’re healing after a bone fracture. They’re either fiberglass or plaster. You may need surgery to realign your bone before a healthcare provider puts a cast on.
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What happens before a cast is applied?
Before a healthcare provider puts a cast on your body around the broken bone, they’ll examine your injuries. They’ll also set (realign) your bone to make sure it heals back together correctly. Depending on which type of fracture you experience, you might need a closed reduction or surgery to set your bone. During a closed reduction, your provider will physically push and pull your body on the outside to line up your broken bones on the inside. They’ll give you a type of anesthesia to make sure you don’t feel pain during the closed reduction. The most severe fractures need surgery. The most common type of bone fracture surgery is internal fixation. Your surgeon will insert pieces of metal into your bone to hold it in place while it heals. They’ll give you general anesthesia so you sleep through the surgery. Your provider will put a cast on once they’ve set your bone and it’s safe to immobilize it.
How is a cast applied?
A healthcare provider will apply a cast to your body in layers: They’ll put a layer of soft, stretchy fabric called a stockinette on your body around the broken bone. Next, they’ll roll cotton or another soft padding over the stockinette. The padding and stockinette put light, constant pressure on the area to help it heal and prevent swelling. Fiberglass and plaster both come in rolls of strips. Your provider will moisten the strips and lay them around your body. They’ll keep layering fiberglass or plaster strips around the fracture until they’ve completed the cast.
What happens after a cast has dried?
For the first few days after you get a cast, you should: Elevate the cast as often as you can. You can prop the cast up on couch cushions or pillows for extra support. Ice the cast to prevent swelling. Make sure the ice or ice packs don’t drip or sweat on the cast. Put ice in a sealed bag and wrap it in towels to prevent moisture from getting in or on your cast. Move your fingers or toes if you have a cast on your arm or leg. Your provider will tell you how often to move to prevent stiffness. Care at Cleveland Clinic Get Orthopaedic Care Make an Appointment
What are the benefits of having a cast?
Casts are usually the best way to protect a bone while it heals after a fracture. They’re extremely safe and effective. Once your bone has healed, it’s quick and easy to remove a cast. Follow your provider’s instructions about which activities you can do, and what you should avoid while you have a cast. Advertisement
What are the risks of wearing a cast?
Casts have very few risks. The most serious complications can include: Skin. Pressure sores. Compartment syndrome. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Infections.
How long do you have to wear a cast?
It depends on which type of fracture you have and where the broken bone is. Most people need to wear a cast for six to eight weeks. It might take more or less time depending on how quickly your bone heals.
How can I take care of a cast?
The best way to prevent complications while you’re wearing a cast is to take good care of it: Don’t put too much weight or pressure on the cast. If the cast is on your leg or foot, make sure it has hardened completely before walking on it. Your provider will tell you when it’s safe to use that leg and will show you how to move or walk safely. If you need them, they’ll show you how to use crutches. Avoid getting the cast wet or damp. Your provider will show you how to cover the cast in plastic wrap or special plastic guards while you’re bathing. Don’t submerge the cast in water. Avoid splashing the cast with water as much as possible. Don’t stick anything into your cast. Your skin might itch, but never stick anything like a coat hanger or back scratcher into your cast. Don’t use skin care products, lotions or baby powder on, in or near your cast. Talk to your provider if you’re experiencing severe itching. Don’t get the cast dirty. Avoid dirt, dust and sand while you’re wearing the cast. Anything that gets in it can irritate your skin. Never try to remove the cast yourself. Don’t take the cast off yourself, and don’t try to peel or break pieces off it. Talk to your provider if the cast seems like it’s peeling, cracking or coming loose on its own.
How is a cast removed?
Your provider will remove the cast with a special saw. A cast saw has a blade that cuts through the cast, but it’s not sharp enough to hurt your skin underneath. Your provider will cut the cast in several places, usually along both sides. Then, they’ll spread and open the cast and lift it off. They’ll use scissors to cut through the protective padding and stockinette layers. Never try to remove the cast at home. Only a trained healthcare provider can safely remove a cast.
What should I do if my cast hurts?
Contact your provider right away if your cast hurts, especially if the pain is getting worse. Talk to your provider if you notice any of the following changes: Skin discoloration around the cast (above or below it). Severe itching. A bad odor. The cast is cracking, breaking or feels soft anywhere. A note from Cleveland Clinic Breaking a bone can go from a shocking, scary experience to a frustrating one when you have to wear a cast for what feels like way too long. Casts can be annoying (and itchy!), but they’re the best way to make sure your bone is safe and stable while it heals. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can and can’t do while you’re wearing a cast. They’ll let you know how to bathe, move and exercise to make sure you heal correctly and as fast as possible. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/11/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
May 20, 2021 · Once you no longer have a cast or split, you may start range-of-motion exercises for your wrist. The goal is to prevent stiffness. When your wrist is less stiff and painful, you will add exercises to make your wrist stronger. Physical therapy may continue for about five weeks.
If your fracture is lined up well, then it usually is treated without surgery. Non-operative treatment typically consists of a cast or other immobilization device which is left in place for approximately six weeks. After cast removal, many patients transition to a brace.
People also ask
Can a cast be removed after a wrist fracture?
Can a splint be replaced with a cast?
How is a wrist break surgery performed?
Jan 11, 2024 · Recovery time for a broken wrist depends on several factors, including the severity of your fracture and the method of treatment. For closed reduction procedures, you may wear a splint for a few days to a week followed by a cast for four to six weeks.
