How to Care for a Leg Cast

If you break your leg, you will probably be placed in a cast for several weeks. The most common materials used to make a leg cast are fiberglass and plaster. Your doctor will recommend you perform certain tasks in order to care for your leg cast during the healing period. Read on to learn how to care for a leg cast.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep the leg cast dry. Purchase a waterproof shield or request one from your physician. A wet cast can cause irritation to the skin below or weaken the effectiveness of the cast.

• 2

  Stay off of the cast often. If you are in a walking leg cast, you should not try to walk on it until the plaster or fiberglass has completely dried. Rest the leg often in order to promote healing.

• 3

  Continue to keep the leg cast clean throughout the time that you must wear it. It is especially important that dirt does not find its way inside of the cast. This can lead to an infection.

• 4

  Check the leg cast often. Take note of any kind of breakage or softness in the cast. If you notice a change in the cast's texture, notify your physician.

• 5

  Visit your physician for removal of the cast. After the recommending healing time, you need to visit your doctor to have the cast taken off. They use a special blade to remove the leg cast.