How to Take Care of a Walking Cast

A walking cast is one type of cast that might be applied for a leg or foot injury. It is a special type of cast that is reinforced at the bottom of the foot, allowing it to take your weight. Often a regular cast will be applied initially, and then at some point during the recuperation the cast will be changed for a walking cast. This helps to prevent the leg from atrophying from lack of use, and with some injuries, putting weight on the leg can help in the healing process.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bags
• Rubber bands

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Instructions

Care Instructions

• 1

  Wait to walk on your cast until it has dried completely. Fiberglass casts will dry quickly, within a couple of hours of application. A plaster cast will take a few days. Wait until it is dry and hard before putting any weight on the cast.

• 2

  Keep the cast dry at all times. Moisture will soften a plaster cast and compromise its integrity. When showering, use a couple of layers of plastic to cover the cast to ensure that water does not come in contact with it. You can cover the cast with a plastic bag and wrap a rubber band around it at your leg above the cast. Do this twice, with two bags, sealing each one with a rubber band. There are also plastic shields you can purchase that are especially designed for this purpose.

• 3

  Monitor your skin around the cast. If it becomes red or irritated at any time, call your doctor. If you have uncontrollable itchiness inside the cast, also contact your doctor.

• 4

  Follow your doctor's orders in terms of how much to walk each day. This will ensure you do not overuse the cast or your leg.

• 5

  Leave the cast alone. Do not pull at it, break it, or take it apart in any way. If there is a problem with the cast and it is affecting your comfort, see your doctor.