• Reference Number: HEY1014/2026
• Departments: Emergency Department
• Last Updated: 31 March 2026

Introduction

This advice sheet has been produced to give you information about instructions for plaster casts. It is not meant to replace discussion between you and your doctor. If after reading it, you require further explanation please discuss this with the relevant person who has been caring for you.

Following an examination and assessment of your injury we have applied a “Plaster of Paris” backslab to the affected area. This is a partial plaster to allow for swelling which often occurs following a bone fracture (break) injury of this nature.

The backslab will remain in place until you attend the Fracture Clinic were you will be re-assessed by the Specialist Team who will decide any further treatment you may require.

Advice

• Plaster of Paris takes 48 hours to dry
• Do not get the plaster wet
• Keep the affected limb (arm or leg) raised to prevent swelling
• Do not attempt to put anything inside the cast as this can cause sores to develop underneath the cast

Upper Limb Casts

• Keep your arm in the sling provided as this will provide support, assist to relieve pain and prevent swelling
• Do not put your rings back onto your fingers until advised to do so
• Exercise your fingers, elbow and shoulder not encased in plaster

Lower Limb Casts

• Keep your affected leg raised on a pillow
• Do not walk on the cast, unless advised to do so by the fracture clinic
• Exercise your toes, knee and hip not encased in plaster

Driving

It is your responsibility to discuss your injury with your insurance company to confirm insurance liability / validity, as you must be able to control your car safely.

Contact the Emergency Department immediately if any of the following occur:

• Swelling of the fingers or toes
• A lot of pain in the affected limb
• Blue fingers or toes unrelated to bruising
• Pins and needles or coldness in the fingers or toes
• Inability to move fingers or toes

Pain relief medication

To manage your pain, we advise that you regularly take simple pain relief which can be bought over the counter. If you have allergies or conditions which prevent the use of pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication, please seek advice from your GP or a pharmacist

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this advice sheet, please do not hesitate to contact the Emergency Department on the following numbers:

Contact numbers for the Emergency Department

Major Injuries Area:             Tel: 01482 482237

Emergency Care Area:       Tel: 01482 482102

Children’s Injuries Area:     Tel: 01482 482113

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.