Your Child's Leg Plaster

Key points about your child's leg plaster

• tamariki (children) with fractures (broken bones) need plasters and splints to prevent the bones from moving 
• plasters and splints allow a fracture time to rest and heal
• plasters and splints help to reduce pain from your child’s broken bone
• if your child has a cast or splint they will need follow-up appointments

What plasters and splints do

Tamariki with fractures have plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints to prevent the bones from moving. This allows the fracture time to rest and heal. Plasters also help to reduce pain from a broken bone.

What is a fracture? 

A fracture is a break in a bone. There are many different types of fractures that all have different names.

See the KidsHealth page on fractures for more information

Waiting for a plaster to dry

A leg plaster cast takes 24 to 48 hours to dry completely.

In the first hour or two, while your child is waiting for their plaster to harden, it's a good idea to rest their leg on something soft, such as a pillow. Hard surfaces may damage your child's plaster.

Caring for your child while they have a leg plaster

The following guidelines help you care for your child while they have their plaster on.

Rest the plaster

Rest the plaster on something soft until dry, such as a pillow. Keep the plaster raised on pillows, especially for the first 24 to 48 hours, to prevent swelling. 

Check your child’s toes

Check the colour of your child's toes. They should be pink, and if you gently squeeze the toenails and then let go, they should quickly return to pink.

Make sure your child moves their toes often.

Watch for swelling. When your child hangs their leg down, there will be some swelling. They should rest their leg on a chair for a couple of hours, then compare it to the other leg - are they the same? Aim to keep the broken leg at the level of your child’s heart to help decrease swelling.

Keep the plaster clean and dry

Keep the plaster clean and dry. Check around the plaster for any smells - plasters do have a slight smell but have it checked if you are worried.

See a health professional 

Do not cut or remove the plaster - see a health professional if your child’s plaster is uncomfortable. See a health professional if you are worried. 

If you have a fracture clinic appointment, remember to take your child's crutches, even if your child is not using them at the time.

Things to avoid with a leg plaster

Avoid getting it wet

Do not get the plaster wet. 

Let the plaster dry naturally. Do not use hairdryers or other drying equipment to dry it - they may burn your child or crack the plaster. 

Do not press or write on the plaster for 24 to 48 hours until dry - pressing on it will dent it.

Do not put things in or around the plaster

Do not poke anything, such as knitting needles, down the plaster. It may damage your child's skin. Avoid putting lotions, creams or powder inside the plaster or around the edges.

Avoid walking on it

Do not let your child walk on their plaster unless a health professional says they can. Your child will need to use crutches or a walking frame when walking.

Bathing your child while they have a leg plaster

If your child's plaster is a below knee plaster:

• wrap a towel around the plaster
• place the leg in a plastic bag large enough to cover it completely
• secure the end with tape (such as sellotape)
• there are also some special coverings for plasters - ask a health professional about these 
• get your child to put their foot on the edge of the bath or on a stool just outside the shower

If your child's plaster is an above knee plaster:

• get your child to have a good wash all over with a wet cloth - do not have a bath or shower

When to get medical help for your child with a leg plaster 

After going home, you should take your child back to the emergency department or see a health professional urgently if your child:

• complains of pain that is getting worse even with pain relief and raising the broken leg 
• has a foot that is going cold, pale or blue 
• has a foot that is becoming more swollen
• complains of fuzziness, numbness, pins and needles or tingling in the fractured leg or in their toes
• cannot move their toes

If your child's plaster becomes cracked, broken, soft or loose, or it rubs, contact your health professional.

Follow-up for leg plasters

Yes. It is very important that your child goes to all their follow-up appointments.

Your child will usually need a fracture clinic appointment 5 to 14 days after leaving hospital. At this appointment, your child may have another x-ray to make sure the bone is healing and is in place. Your child will usually need several more appointments at a fracture clinic to make sure the break is healing.

Ask a health professional for instructions for your child's follow-up before you leave hospital.

Removing a leg plaster 

When your child's injury has healed, the plaster will be removed. This is done with specially designed plaster shears or a saw that can cut through the plaster but not the skin.

Plaster removal is a fast and painless process but can be very noisy!

Returning to physical activity after a leg plaster comes off

Your health professional will tell you how much physical activity your child can do while their injury heals. After the plaster comes off, your health professional will guide you on when your child can go back to various activities. 

Please remember to return your child's crutches.