Cast Q’s

Will it hurt to have a cast on/off?

When you first have a cast on, it can feel a little strange at first. Your limb may feel slightly heavier, and you might get a bit of pins and needles. This feeling should go away after the first day, as your body gets used to the cast. It shouldn’t be painful at all, except where the injury itself is, but this too should improve as your bones heal.

When you have your cast off, the machine used makes your limb vibrate which can be a strange feeling, some even find it ticklish! When you’re out of the cast, your limb will be weak and the joints will be stiff and this can feel uncomfortable for the first few days. Your parents can give you some basic painkillers to help in those first few days if the stiffness is causing you pain.

Are the machines they use dangerous?

Not at all! Only one machine is used, and it’s used to remove the hard material when you have your cast removed. It is a bit loud, which can make it seem scary, but it actually works by vibrating very quickly like your electric toothbrush! It can cut through the hard cast material but won’t harm your skin, so it’s a very clever machine! Click here to watch our videos explaining the machine in more detail.

How long do I have to wear it?

Just like no two people are the same, every injury is slightly different too. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to stay in your cast/boot/sling, and it’s important that you follow their advice so that your bone can heal properly and to stop it causing you problems in later life.

It’s itchy under the cast! What can I do?

We understand how incredibly annoying an itch is, especially when you can’t reach it to give it a scratch! It’s really important that you refrain from putting anything down your cast, but if you need some relief, try using a hairdryer on cool mode! Aim it down the cast but make sure not to have it on hot as this could damage the cast.

Can my friends draw on my cast?

Of course! You’ll need a permanent marker to be able to see it, but it’s your cast so feel free to personalise it how you like!

Cast Care

Can I still go on holiday/fly?

The only thing worse than being injured is being injured just before a holiday! Well, depending on the type of holiday you’re going on, your cast might not be a problem! Surf holidays are probably a no-go, it’s very important to keep that cast dry! But if you can keep it dry then holidays in the UK shouldn’t be a problem.
Flying can be an issue, depending on how long it has been since your cast has been fitted. You need to check with your airline, some won’t allow you to fly if it has been less than 48 hours since it was fitted. If you tell the plaster team that you are flying within the next few days, they may be able to split the cast to allow room for swelling that can occur in airplanes. If your cast is above your knee then you may need special seating arrangements on the plane. Crutches and wheelchairs can be taken on planes but you need to let your airline know in advance.

Can I still go swimming?

Unfortunately, you will not be able to swim while you have a cast on. Even if you have a waterproof cover, these aren’t 100% guaranteed to stop water getting in, and any water can damage your cast. So you’ll have to wait until you’ve had your cast on and your doctor has given you the green light!

Can’t find the answers your looking for? Your parents can find contact details for the department here.

Can I have a coloured cast?

Of course! Don’t tell the adults, but in the Children’s hospital you have many more options to make your cast look awesome – even glitter!

Where can I get a waterproof cover for my cast?

When you get your plaster on, the plaster team will give you some leaflets of local companies that produce cast covers so that you can shower without worrying about your cast getting ruined. If not, just google ”waterproof cast protector buy online” and you should find lots of options!
Unfortunately, these are not provided on the NHS.