Children with fractures have plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints to prevent the bones from moving. This allows the fracture (broken bone) time to rest and heal.
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.
The following DOs and DON'Ts are some guidelines to help you care for your child while they have their plaster on.
If your child's plaster is a below knee plaster:
If your child's plaster is an above knee plaster:
After going home, you should take your child back to the emergency department or contact your doctor urgently if your child:
If your child's plaster becomes cracked, broken, soft or loose, or it is rubbing, contact your doctor.
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 to go to several more appointments at a fracture clinic to make sure the break is healing.
Ask your nurse or doctor for instructions for your child's follow-up before you leave hospital.
When your child's injury has healed, their plaster will be removed with specially designed plaster shears or saw that will cut through the plaster but cannot cut the skin.
Plaster removal is a fast and painless process.
Your doctor will tell you how much physical activity your child can do while their injury heals. After the plaster comes off, your doctor will guide you about when your child should go back to various activities.
Please remember to return your child's crutches.
Orthopaedic Services. Canterbury District Health Board. 2005. Care of your cast: Patient information.
Starship Children's Health. 2005. Plaster care: Patient and family information.
Waikato District Health Board. You and your leg plaster.
Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand acknowledge the cooperation of Starship Children's Health, Auckland District Health Board. This information was produced in collaboration with the Starship Orthopaedic Service.
This page last reviewed 14 June 2021.
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