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Is it possible and how to put a cast at home on an arm or leg? Crutches and plaster

1. Plastic plaster
This is an indispensable thing for fractures. I learned about gypsum from my aunt and found only one company in Minsk that deals with plastic gypsum (http://www.ortos.by/). I will explain why it is an irreplaceable thing: plastic gypsum is several times lighter than usual! When I changed the cast, my leg looked like fluff. It is comfortable to sleep in it, you can wet it (so you can stop being an acrobat in the bath), the leg breathes, it does not itch. Overall, I haven't found any cons so far. In my clinic, the traumatologist did not offer such a cast, so I found where to buy, sent my sister for him, and, in the end, they put me in a plastic cast. I note that it is not suitable for all fractures, so be sure to consult a doctor. Also, it cannot be applied as soon as you have received a fracture (and in our ambulances they will not offer it even if it is possible): you need to wait about 10-12 days until the swelling subsides, and only then apply it. Otherwise, the leg will hang out in it, and it is impossible to remove it as simply as a regular cast. By the way, you understand that I'm talking specifically about my case))).

And plastic plaster looks good on the leg

2. Backpack
Actually a great thing! Because my hands are occupied with crutches, then I walked around the apartment with a backpack. There I put the things I need that I need to move, and hobble briskly. With him, I go to the store, to the clinic and brought sweets to bed while I survived alone). After about 3 weeks, I could jump on one leg (and most importantly, the broken leg did not respond with pain) and something light in my hand could be carried away. And do not forget that the phone, for example, can be put in the pocket of the bike, and not carry a backpack.

3. Thermal mug
When you want to drink tea / coffee / any hot liquid NOT in the kitchen, but in the bedroom, at the computer, in bed (and there is no one to take it to or you don’t want to strain a person), then you make a drink, throw a thermo mug into your backpack and go where you need to go.

4. Chair with padding
I have such a chair in the kitchen, because. it’s more convenient for me to cook while standing and at least you make some movements, and not sit / lie down for 24 hours. And such a chair helps me move around the kitchen, which frees me from crutches. You move the chair further away, move yourself, lean on the chair with the knee of your broken leg and, thus, you stand and your leg does not hurt. But it certainly works when the knee is not in a cast.
I advise you to arrange chairs around the apartment, if there are no objects on which you can lean. I have the first 2.5. weeks, the leg began to terribly go numb, hurt (very, very nasty feeling) in an upright position, and chairs saved the situation somehow.

In principle, these are the main things that more or less make life easier for me in this harsh time. I also keep a bottle of water in my bedroom so I don't have to jump to the kitchen when I'm thirsty.

This Tuesday I went to the doctor, they took an x-ray and they said that the bone grows together correctly, but badly (. Then she roared for half a day, and now she has calmed down ... The main thing is just to endure this period.

A plaster cast helps muscles and bones heal properly. The cast has to be worn for 3 to 24 weeks, depending on the injury.

To avoid skin irritation or infection, the cast must be cared for. Following our advice, you will experience less discomfort when wearing a cast. The plaster must dry evenly and completely. It will dry quickly in the air. If your doctor has advised you to put a pillow under it until it dries, cover it with plastic wrap and place a towel on top to absorb moisture. Do not lay wet plaster directly on plastic.

To keep the cast from drying evenly, change position on the pillow every 2 hours. Avoid touching the cast with your fingertips to avoid bulges inside that will irritate your skin later.

After the plaster has dried, use a damp cloth to wipe off dirt and stains from it. Use as little water as possible. Then carefully wipe off the moisture.

Keep the plaster from hitting a hard surface. If the cast is on your foot, wear it to protect the cast when you move, or line it with a piece of carpet or felt. It should cover the heel and protrude forward on the toes. You can fix the lining with a sock or slipper.

To make it easier to put on clothes, to protect the plaster cast from contamination, use those made from supplex. So that the plaster does not crumble during sleep, you can use fleece. The cover should be slightly longer than the cast so that you can tuck the ends under the edge (if necessary).

Every day, wash the skin around the edges of the cast with water and mild soap, covering the cast with plastic wrap. Upon acceptance water procedures you can use .

Thoroughly dry the skin under the edge of the cast. Don't wet it. After wiping, rub the skin with alcohol - this will strengthen it. To avoid skin irritation, remove any loose particles that you can get.

Do not try to relieve itching with sharp objects - you can injure yourself and cause an infection.

How to deal with itching and skin irritation

No matter how itchy the skin under the cast, do not try to relieve itching with any sharp objects - you can get hurt and provoke an outbreak of infection. Do not put napkins under the edges of the cast, do not pour in lotions - this can damage blood circulation.

Itching can be relieved with a handheld hair dryer by turning off the heat and directing a jet of cold air to the itchy area.

After drying, the uneven edges of the plaster can irritate the skin. To avoid this, glue the edge of the plaster with strips of adhesive plaster, carefully smoothing out the parts that are bent into the plaster.

Protect the cast from moisture when showering, swimming, and in wet weather before going outside. Moisture can ruin the plaster. If it is slightly damp, let it air dry. If your arm is in a cast, your doctor may recommend that you use a sling to support it and not disturb the injured area. Specify how often and for how long the bandage can be removed. It is necessary to check daily for complications, such as discharge from the wound or excessive swelling.

Watch for discharge from the wound

If the plaster covers the wound, bleeding can be expected in the first 48 hours after its application. They can stain plaster or bedding.

In this case, circle the spot on the plaster with a felt-tip pen, set the date and time. It can signal phenomena that require the attention of a doctor.

Tell your doctor if:

discharge leaves bright red spots;
discharge appears if there is no wound under the plaster (an ulcer could form under the pressure of the plaster);
the spot increases;
discharge changes color and smell (this may be a sign of infection).

Check sensitivity and mobility

Several times a day, check the sensitivity by touching the areas of the body above and below the cast. Is there numbness? Do you feel tingling or pain?

Wiggle the fingers of the cast limb. If you can't do this, or if you're in more pain than usual, see your doctor.

Check Your Circulation

Press down on the nail of the cast limb so that it turns white. Let go. If the normal color is not restored after about 2 seconds, seek medical attention immediately. Repeat this check at least three times a day.

If your fingers are cold, cover them. If that doesn't help, go see a doctor.

The fight against edema

A slight swelling of the cast limb is normal, but there should be no significant swelling. To avoid increased swelling, proceed as follows.

Watch for swelling beyond the edges of the cast.

Keep the cast elevated above heart level for as long as possible using two regular pillows. If the doctor has prescribed, apply ice.

If your leg is in a cast, sit or lie down with it propped up on pillows.

If the arm is in a cast, support it with something so that the part below the elbow is above the level of the heart.

Watch for swelling beyond the edges of the cast. To do this, compare the plastered limb with a healthy one.

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How to use crutches

Sometimes a doctor instructs a person who has suffered an injury to walk on crutches to avoid putting stress on the injured leg.

After making sure the crutches are the right size for you and have proper padding, ask them to show you how to use them. Remember that walking on crutches takes practice. Don't be discouraged if you don't succeed right away.

Are crutches right for you?

Check if the crutches have anti-slip rubber tips, support pads and strong handles.

Make sure crutches are the right size for you.

Check if the crutches are the correct size. If you put their ends 15 cm from the edges of the foot, the supports should be 2.5-4 cm below the armpits. If the crutches touch the armpits, then they are too long.

Remember - body weight is supported by handles, not supports.

Check the position of the handles - when you hold on to them, your arms should be slightly bent, not straight.

Are you moving correctly?

Support the body by distributing weight on the hands, wrists, arms. If you feel numbness and tingling in your chest, under your armpits, or in your shoulder, you may not be using your crutches correctly.

Walking on crutches with partial support on the injured leg

Your doctor may allow you to partially lean on your injured leg while walking on crutches. The following describes how this is done.

Stand straight with your shoulders relaxed and your arms slightly bent. Lean forward slightly, distributing body weight on crutches and a healthy leg. You can lean slightly on the injured leg.

Move the crutches forward 30 cm.

Move the injured leg behind them.

Partially transfer your body weight to it and push your healthy leg forward of the crutches.

Repeat these steps and go.

Support the body by distributing weight on the hands, wrists, arms.

Walking on crutches without support on the affected leg

Here's how to move around if your doctor doesn't let you lean on your bad leg.

Stand straight, leaning on a healthy leg. Relax your shoulders. Slightly bending your knee, lift your affected leg off the floor.

With all of your body weight on the crutches, place the foot of your healthy leg on a level with the crutches, slightly in front of your body. Use your good leg and crutches to support your body, leaning slightly forward.

Shift your entire body weight to your good leg and move both crutches forward and behind them your bad leg. Don't rely on her.

Shift your weight back to the crutches, using the strength of your arms, step forward with your good leg, putting your weight on it. Maintain balance with crutches.

Walking on crutches up stairs

Sooner or later you will have to walk up the stairs with the help of crutches. Let's say your right leg is injured.

Climb

Stand at the bottom of the stairs, take both crutches in your right hand.

First of all, learn to sit down and stand up.

Grasp the railing firmly with your left hand.

Using your right hand, carefully shift your body weight onto the crutches.

Push off with your crutches and jump onto the first step on your good leg.

Keeping a firm grip on the railing, shift your weight onto your good leg. Move the crutches to the first step. Now jump to the second on a healthy leg.

Repeat these movements slowly.

Descent

To descend, follow the steps in reverse order. But move forward with crutches and a sore leg. Remember that the good leg goes up first and goes down last.

How to sit and rise from a chair

If you have to use crutches, you need to learn how to sit and stand. Here's how it's done.

To sit down

Come to the chair. Turn around and carefully step back so that the back of your good leg touches the edge of the chair.

Transferring the load to your healthy leg, take both crutches in your hand from the side of the diseased leg. Shift your body weight onto crutches. Hold a chair with your free hand.

Sit carefully on your good leg. Place your crutches next to a chair.

To get up

Move your good leg back so that it touches the edge of the chair from below. Continuing to sit, take both crutches and place them straight.

Grasp the handles of the crutches with the hand on the side of your healthy leg. Hold onto a chair with your other hand.

Move forward so that your good leg is under the edge of the chair. Stand up, pushing off with it.

Standing, transfer one crutch to the arm on the uninjured side. Or stand up, holding on to the handles of the crutches.

What to do if you fall

To get up without damage, proceed as follows.

Look for support.

Sit with your legs outstretched and leaning on your hands.

Look for low, stable furniture, such as a sofa (or chair), nearby.

Crutches and plaster

Move towards this furniture, pushing off with your hands and lifting your buttocks. Bring crutches with you.

When you get to the couch, lean your crutches against it. Turn around, lean back, put your hands on the seat.

Lean on the floor with your hands and lift your buttocks on the seat.

Take both crutches with one hand. Pushing off the seat with your other hand, stand up and take one crutch in your other hand.

Gypsum Care

A plaster cast helps muscles and bones to heal properly. The cast has to be worn for 3 to 24 weeks, depending on the injury.

To avoid rut irritation or infection, the cast must be cared for. Following our advice, you will experience less discomfort when wearing a cast. © Plaster must dry evenly and completely. It will dry faster in the air. If your doctor has advised you to put a pillow under it until it dries, cover it with plastic wrap and place a towel on top to absorb moisture. Do not lay wet plaster directly on plastic.

To keep the cast from drying evenly, change position on the pillow every 2 hours. Avoid touching the cast with your fingertips to avoid bulges inside that will irritate your skin later.

After the plaster has dried, use a damp cloth to wipe off dirt and stains from it. Use as little water as possible. Then carefully wipe off the moisture.

Keep the plaster from hitting a hard surface. If the cast is applied to the foot, make a lining under it from a piece of carpet or felt. It should cover the heel and protrude forward on the toes. Secure the lining with a sock or slipper.

To prevent the cast on your arm from clinging to clothing and furniture, cover it with a nylon stocking. Cut off the foot and cut a hole in the heel, where you will then stick your thumb.

The stocking should be slightly longer than the cast so that you can tuck the ends under the hem.

Every day, wash the skin around the edges of the cast with water and mild soap, covering the cast with plastic wrap.

Do not try to relieve itching with sharp objects - you can get hurt and get an infection.

How to deal with itching and skin irritation

Itching can be relieved with a handheld hair dryer by turning off the heat and directing a jet of cold air to the itchy area.

After drying, uneven edges of the plaster can irritate the skin. To avoid this, cover the edge of the plaster with strips of adhesive plaster, carefully smoothing out the parts that are bent into the plaster.

Cover the cast with plastic sheeting from moisture when showering, swimming, and in wet weather before going outside. Moisture can ruin the plaster. If it is slightly damp, let it air dry. If your arm is in a cast, your doctor may recommend that you use a sling to support it and not disturb the injured area. Specify how often and for how long the bandage can be removed. It is necessary to check daily for complications, such as discharge from the wound or excessive swelling.

Watch for discharge from the wound

If the plaster covers the wound, bleeding can be expected in the first 48 hours after it is applied. They can stain plaster or bedding.

In this case, circle the spot on the plaster with a felt-tip pen, set the date and time. It can signal phenomena that require the attention of a doctor.

Tell your doctor if:

discharge leaves bright red spots;
discharge appears if there is no wound under the plaster (an ulcer could form under the pressure of the plaster);
the spot increases;
discharge changes color and smell (this may be a sign of infection).

Check sensitivity and mobility

Check the sensitivity several times a day by touching the areas of the body above and below the cast. Is there numbness? Do you feel tingling or pain?

Wiggle the fingers of the cast limb. If you can't do this, or if you're experiencing more pain than usual, see your doctor.

Check Your Circulation

Press down on the nail of the cast limb so that it turns white. Let go. If normal color is not restored after about 2 seconds, seek medical attention immediately. Repeat this check at least three times a day.

If your fingers are cold, cover them. If that doesn't help, go see a doctor.

The fight against edema

A slight swelling of the cast limb is normal, but there should be no significant swelling. To avoid increased swelling, proceed as follows.

Watch for swelling beyond the edges of the cast.

Keep the cast elevated above heart level for as long as possible using two regular pillows. If the doctor has prescribed, apply ice.

If your leg is in a cast, sit or lie down with it propped up on pillows.

If the arm is in a cast, support it with something so that the part below the elbow is above the level of the heart.

Watch for swelling beyond the edges of the cast. To do this, compare the plastered limb with a healthy one.

All complex injuries and falls, as a rule, end up with your arm or leg in a cast. This is a very unpleasant condition, because of it, movements are significantly limited. With plastered legs, you can’t accelerate much, so all your actions and movements need to be planned in detail so as not to fall again and not aggravate an already difficult situation. Crutches can be used to move around the room and down the street. Initially, it is quite difficult to get used to them, but after a few days you will be able to move without fear, relying on them.

Only a doctor knows how to apply a cast, do not try to cope with this task on your own. There is a whole technique for applying a cast to the leg, and without significant skills, you will not be able to complete the main task of the bandage, which is aimed at the correct fixation of a broken bone. An experienced doctor knows exactly where to tie the bandage tighter, and where to loosen it a little so that the bones grow together correctly. Even if at first glance it seemed to you that there is nothing complicated here, you will not be able to apply a cast for fractures without further adverse consequences.

Instead of gypsum, special hard bandages can also be applied today, which are not afraid of moisture and are well fixed on the affected areas. The disadvantage of this alternative is its cost, in comparison with conventional gypsum, the price of a solid bandage is not affordable for all people.

The time of wearing a cast depends on the complexity of the injury. In most cases, the period of wearing a cast is from 4 to 8 weeks, in cases with displaced fractures, the period of wearing a cast is 15 weeks.

Swelling of the legs due to wearing a plaster cast

Almost all patients who have experienced leg fractures claim that after removing the cast, the leg is very swollen. Sometimes, after removing the plaster, a person observes blue skin at the site of the fracture. Both swelling and bruising can be explained by the fact that plastic plaster disrupts the normal outflow and inflow of fluid in the intercellular space of the skin of the injured limb. Blood flow disturbances can also be caused by the fact that the cast on the leg is incorrectly applied or the bandage is tied too tight. If the swelling does not go away, and the leg turns blue and hurts more and more, you should immediately contact your doctor. He will examine the leg, change the bandage and do an ultrasound to rule out possible consequences leg injuries.

Few people know what to do when a plastered leg swells, so when you visit a doctor, you need to listen to him very carefully and follow the recommendations exactly. If there is no thrombosis, then, as a rule, the doctor will prescribe a course of procedures that will restore muscle activity in the leg. Among such rehabilitative measures, very effective are:

foot massage;
baths with infusions of medicinal herbs;
baths with sea salt;
the use of wax or ozocerite;
magnetotherapy.

The doctor will additionally prescribe pain medication and may suggest reviewing your diet. In the process of recovery, it is very important to eat the right food. For fractures, it is recommended to use the following products:

milk;
cottage cheese;
grape;
currant;
carrot;
almond;
liver;
seaweed;
beans and green peas;
parsley, etc.

The thing is that the above products contain a large number of calcium and phosphorus, which favorably affect the restoration of bone tissue.

Bathing with plaster on legs

Most people with a fracture fall into quite unpleasant situation, because not everyone immediately understands how to wash in the bathroom so as not to wet the plaster, as it can spread.

Plastic gypsum, unlike ordinary plaster, does not get wet, so if possible, then it is better to put it. A plastic cast is much lighter than a regular bandage, it passes air well, the leg under it does not get steamy and the swelling that appears after removing the classic type of cast may not affect you.

If you have already encountered a classic cast, then the advice on how to bathe with a cast is as follows: wrap your leg with plastic wrap and go to the bathroom without fear. Alternatively, you can use plastic bags, the film, of course, will hold better, because its edge sticks tightly to the leg, but the bags can be wrapped with tape. Modern medicine has come a long way in this matter and in some pharmacies you can find specially designed bathing covers.

Elimination of itching under a plaster cast

In case of a fracture, it is forbidden to move the leg, because for this purpose a plaster was applied to fix it. Due to the long wearing of the bandage, and the cast, as you know, is not removable, the leg inside is very itchy. Never use sharp objects or other stationery items with a sharp point. Most people do this to relieve itching, but it's very dangerous as you can injure your foot and get an infection. There are a number of methods that will help reduce your suffering, these include:

ice pack;
antihistamines.

The cold air that comes from the hair dryer will be able to soothe the itching that has formed under the cast. Light tapping on the cast will create a slight vibration, which should also temporarily reduce the itching. By placing an ice pack on the cast, you will very soon feel a slight chill on the affected area, which will relieve irritation. Antihistamines are able to control the itching symptom to some extent. The correct dosage of the drug should save you from this unpleasant phenomenon. If the itching continues for a long time, immediately consult your doctor.

In order for your leg to recover quickly and the bones grow together correctly, try not to neglect the advice of a doctor.

Move less, reduce the load on the lower limbs, consume more vitamins and very soon you will be able to stand on your feet, literally.

A fifth of all leg injuries are ankle fractures. Dry statistical figures, followed by thousands of people who are forced to spend weeks, or even months, with their legs immobilized in plaster. When the acute period passes, severe pain remains in the past, you want to quickly return the possibility of independent movement. Whether it is possible to step on a leg in a cast with an ankle fracture depends on the severity of the injury and the course of recovery.

Types of ankle fracture and timing of immobilization

The ankle joint is very complex in structure. This joint is made up of several bones. A fracture can be subdivided according to the principle of damage to one of them, according to the severity and nature of the injury.

The types and their description are given in the table below:

Variety	Characteristics and symptoms
Lateral	The lateral bone of the ankle (tibia fibula) was damaged.
Medial	Damaged medial (tibia) ankle bone.
Double	There are cracks and fractures in both bones that form the ankle (tibia and fibula)
Interior	Various bone injuries (sometimes ligaments) are characteristic without breaking the skin. The skin at the site of injury acquires a reddish-bluish hue, hematoma, edema develops.
Open	In case of bone injury, their fragments violate the integrity of the skin, their edges are visible
Offset	As a result of injury, fragments are displaced relative to each other.
No offset	The fracture occurred, but the bones remained in the same place.

A fracture usually involves several characteristics. For example, internal lateral without displacement.

Features of each of the types determine the timing of the imposition of a fixing bandage. Gypsum is applied in order to immobilize the limbs, to provide peace to the leg until the damaged structures grow together. Therefore, step on the foot in case of an ankle fracture without displacement or with displacement or with another type of injury highly not recommended.

Fractures without displacement

A non-displaced fracture heals faster than a displaced fracture.

In case of internal injuries without displacement, an immobilizing bandage is applied for up to 1.5 months. You can walk after an ankle fracture, having already removed such a bandage, then when the doctor allows, in fact the bone has fused, but relying on special devices(crutches).

If the leg has stopped hurting in a cast, this does not mean that it is healthy and you can stand on it, transferring weight. This can only be resolved by a doctor by conducting a control x-ray examination.

Standing on a leg in a bandage, you can provoke a displacement, and if the fracture has already been displaced, its secondary manifestation in a cast is possible.

Gypsum is supposed to be applied for a certain period:

In case of a fracture of the lateral or medial ankle without displacement, it is necessary to walk in a cast for 3.5-4 weeks.
If two ankles are broken without displacement, the immobilization bandage is applied for 6 to 8 weeks.

Thus, after suffering a fracture of the medial malleolus without displacement, it is possible to step on the foot only after complete fusion and removal of the bandage. Already on the day of liberation from the shackles, you can move around by stepping on the injured leg, but so far with support.

Displaced fractures

Stepping on the foot after a fracture with displacement is strictly prohibited. Sometimes surgery is required before bandaging. After the operation, plaster is applied for up to three months or more. Until complete fusion of the fragments in the right direction is confirmed, stepping on the cast with such an ankle fracture is prohibited.

For proper fusion of displaced areas, it is extremely important to seek medical help on the first day after the injury has occurred, undergo an examination and receive the necessary treatment.
To reposition the bones, the doctor performs certain manipulations with mandatory anesthesia, sometimes on the spot, sometimes you have to hospitalize the patient and perform an operation. This is especially true for cases with open injuries. After the operation is completed, an immobilizing bandage is applied to the victim or the skeletal traction method is used, and a plaster cast is applied a month later.

This tactic is suitable for especially severe cases.

The terms of immobilization of the limb are strictly defined:

If the bones have shifted relative to each other, a bandage is applied for a period of 4 to 5 weeks.
When two ankles are broken with displacement, the period increases to 8 to 10 weeks.
Particularly severe injuries require wearing a plaster cast for up to 12-15 weeks.

It happens that after the reduction of the bones and the period of immobilization, the displacement occurs again, so the doctor can refer the patient to a control x-ray several times during the treatment period. To prevent recurrent displacement, it is very important to follow all the doctor's recommendations and not expose the leg to dangerous loads.

Permissible load

During the rehabilitation period, you need to walk with support

It is very important during the rehabilitation period (and it begins while the leg is still in plaster) to maintain normal blood circulation in the injured leg. To do this, two weeks after the start of therapy, it is recommended:

Massage of non-cast areas of the leg.
Performing acceptable physical therapy exercises.
Hardware therapy: magnet, UHF, laser.
After some time (it is determined by the doctor), you can start walking with support.

After the leg is released from the plaster fetters, it is necessary to engage in physiotherapy exercises in a more intensive mode to restore all the functions of the ankle.

It is important for tissue repair to eat right during this period. The diet should contain a sufficient amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals and vitamins necessary for the regeneration of damaged leg structures.

What to do about swelling

Swelling of the leg in a cast or after removing the bandage is a fairly common phenomenon. This is not a reason to develop the leg with titanic efforts and try to walk already in a cast. This condition is due to a number of reasons:

change in the outflow and inflow of blood in the injured leg;
slow lymph circulation;
violation of the integrity of the ligaments, muscles of the lymphatic ducts,
a fairly tight plaster cast.

Edema can occur both during the period of wearing an immobilizing bandage, and after its removal. To eliminate it, you need to establish the process of blood circulation, muscle activity.

This is fully possible only after removing the plaster using:

salt baths;
massage;
magnetic therapy.

During the period of leg immobilization, you can use massage in its open areas and physiotherapy prescribed by a doctor.

How much time the leg will spend in a cast and the period of complete rehabilitation depends on individual parameters. These include:

patient's age. If the victim is an elderly person, fusion will last longer than in young people;
fracture complexity (how many bones are damaged, whether there was subluxation, displacement, perforation skin and so on);
associated diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The haste and the desire to get up and start walking faster after such a complex injury can lead to irreversible consequences, the fracture will heal longer, the rehabilitation period will be delayed.