Foot and ankle cast

Keep the fractured part higher than your hip when you are sitting or resting. Rest the foot supported with pillows on a chair when sitting. At night raise the leg with pillows. Keeping the leg raised is important to reduce swelling.

Do not try to put weight on the casted leg. The cast will not withstand any weight.

The cast

You have either a plaster cast, or a fiberglass cast.

Plaster cast

The plaster cast will be dry after 24 hours.

During the first 24 hours:

• Avoid putting pressure on the cast.
• Keep the cast uncovered to allow moisture to evaporate.

Avoid getting water on the cast, as it will make the cast dissolve. A wet cast needs to be replaced. It is therefore important that you cover the cast with plastic when you shower. Use two plastic shopping bags and scotch tape to cover completely. Alternatively, use vacuum covers sold at the pharmacy.

Fiberglass cast

The fiberglass cast will be completely dry within 30 minutes.

The fiberglass cast is not water resistant. It is therefore important that you cover the cast with plastic when you shower. Use two plastic shopping bags and scotch tape to cover completely. Alternatively, use vacuum covers sold at the pharmacy. If a fiberglass cast becomes wet, use a hairdryer set on cold air to dry.

Exercises

These exercises can be performed sitting or lying.

• Bend and straighten the leg from the knee.
• Lift the leg high.
• Curl and straighten your toes.
• Activate and release your thigh and calf muscle.
  
  

When using crutches

• Keep movement in the knee. You should not avoid bending the knee.
• If the physician allows you to put some weight on the leg, keep using the crutches to avoid putting too much weight on the casted leg.

Driving restrictions

If you have a casted right leg, you cannot drive a car during the treatment period. If you have a casted left leg, you can drive a car with automatic transmission when medication use, pain level and general condition allows this according to the Road Traffic Act paragraph 21. If in doubt, confer with your registered physician.

Pay attention to the following

• Always place the casted leg high, preferably above the height of your heart.
• If your toes become swollen, white and cold with a pricking sensation followed by numbness, reduced mobility and increasing strong pain – contact your physician.
• Do not use any kind of long, sharp ore pointed objects to scratch under the cast. It could give you a wound, and more pain.
• Move toes to maintain blood circulation and to avoid for the cast to be too tight.
• Leg injury and immobilization leads to a slightly increased risk of blood clotting, especially in patients that are predisposed due to disease or medication. If you experience increased leg pain - contact a physician.
• If questions concerning the tightness or discomfort of the cast, please contact Orthopaedic clinic.
• Visit www.skadefri.no for more detailed information.

Contact information