Why do hand casts go up to your elbow?

Hand casts do not typically extend all the way up to the elbow. Depending on the individual and the injury being treated, a cast generally covers only a portion of the forearm or, in some cases, the wrist or hand alone. In fractures involving the forearm, a cast reaching up to the upper forearm or elbow might be utilized to provide additional stability and support while the patient heals.