Life hacks for a new cast

Orthopedic surgery PA (physician assistant) shares TIPS and TRICKS for managing a cast or splint on the arm.
Advice includes bathing, dressing, eating, cast care, and physical activity. Everything you need to know to improve your experience!

[@UziGotFame]

Broke my arm in October. Spent 2 months in a cast and 4 weeks in a brace. And a few days later I completely snapped it again... r.i.p

[@devontecaston612]

Damn

[@liammilk5802]

Lol

[@taybenwhitson9954]

WOW

[@Rambling_Rover]

Awful! 😢

[@jackbould2454]

So how is it now

[@11lucygoosey]

24 hours LOL try WEEKS

[@scrim90smuk3]

Bruh months

[@kateryna9617]

Yass months i broke my wrist and i had two operations and i will get it off tomorrow 5:00 pm and i have been in it for two months in it and I also have wires inside my hand

[@mo0fahsaaa]

Right??? Taking this advice with a whole block of salt

[@avocadogal2863]

Kateryna Kirpichenko yikes hopefully I don’t need that

[@slapandtickle4531]

Bruh, she even had like 95% range of movement in her thumb too. Between that and only doing it for 24 hours to somehow possibly relate knowing most casts are on for minimum a month.... Couldn't even go your whole weekend?! I just can't take her seriously. I figured most of this out between being told by my othro-doc and the "cast guy" getting to my room and actually putting on the cast, from just sitting there and thinking about what I needed to do if this or that happens with zero experience of actually being in a cast ever. Most of her "tips" were ridiculous and not needed. I bet she only wore it for 4 or 5 hours at max lmao.

[@colleenpowell462]

THANK YOU!! Your compassion and advice are very much appreciated. I can do this 👍

[@BLohr707]

Thanks Lara! Great ideas for showering, dishes and the sock for work! Perfect for my broken hand. One!

[@imagesinla8575]

The part about keeping your hand raised above your heart to prevent swelling in the fingers is really helpful.

[@Jogbiggesthreat]

Or at a 140 degree angle

[@sandyinmd1]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

[@stephanielyda5881]

Thank you this is so helpful!

[@j.c.5393]

Thanks for all the ideas!

[@Jamiehilder]

Thank you, this was helpful.

[@carter1109]

Tore my triceps. Surgery Tuesday. These items will be helpful. Thanks

[@zenboy01]

Thanks, Lara! Getting ready for thumb surgery, requiring a cast for 6 weeks. Your tips are just what I was looking for.

[@zenboy01]

@@silverhairedqueen Thanks! Just bought a pump bottle for my liquid soap, also have an electric can opener on the way, have been practicing for a few days now, trying to do without the right hand....Lotsa fun!

[@stfu562]

I broke my wrist landing primo while mid kick flip. It didn’t even hurt either, I thought I just sprained it lol.

[@jamesramirez7521]

Primo must love you

[@Xi1nnn]

Same! I was doing a stair set and failed and broke my wrist but it didn't hurt as much as everyone said it would so I thought I'd just wait until I was smart and went to the hospital and found out it was broken

[@purrrbot]

yeah I broke my wrist skating and all I felt was pressure being pushed upwards in the wrist when my weight fell on it. Ended up going to the ER and finding out I broke two bones and would need a pin put in it. First time I've ever broke something and it was nothing like the pain I always imagined it might be like.

[@stfu562]

@@Xi1nnn yeah, when I broke my wrist it didn’t really hurt. I only went to the ER because it started swelling up really bad.

[@user-bg2bd4nn1o]

@@Xi1nnn same, I broke my wrist 3 years ago and didn't even know until now 😂 just got a cast

[@darlar.9043]

Never heard of the field gloves. Stopped this video as soon as you talked about the gloves and found them on Amazon. Ordered! Thank you. Completely snapped my left ulna while rock-hopping over a creek 3 weeks ago.

[@PatienceMelissa]

An ice bag will suffice as well... Secured with elastic hair ties.

[@AndreaRuralMN]

Thank you for the OB glove idea! If our feed store doesn't have them the Vet will!

[@lulup6640]

Did anyone realise that there was simplynailogicals intro

[@misswendigo293]

Lulu Sasaoka Azapovic YASSSS JUST THOUGHT IT WAS MEEEE

[@avaryb5386]

thought it was just me cristian

[@kateapple1]

It was but that’s because it’s free music

[@leilanieheater9116]

This video is helpful. How do you ice it? Is it on top of the cast? Thank you for sharing this awesome video. Just had my surgery done today.

[@Rayd3nm]

My brother broke my arm Saturday,this is my first cast.thanks for the tips!

[@MHSMagicLuver]

Just clicked on this just because. I just started my second year of PA school and we just did splints today. I have never had a cast but we read about casting in our book, so I got to your page from seeing a cast using casting tape and I thought it was interesting that it looks like an ace bandage except you just get it wet, but you do everything basically the same way.

[@ayanawatlington6514]

I broke my arm two weeks ago and have 10-15 weeks left in a long arm cast. I don't know when I get to take my sling off.

[@GraywithBulsaht]

I love all of these tips. But what could we do if we are in pain. I broke my arm a few days ago and it is super painful to move. Is there anyway to prevent pain

[@paodenise]

Had surgery so this is great

[@AydenSchofield]

The dressing part works perfectly for me because I wear t shirts and shorts every single day

[@JN-nw9gp]

Thanks very helpful I Fractured my wrist and have a long arm cast for 12 to 16 weeks : ( my biggest problem is anxiety it freaks me out so much having it. I feel like I'm tied up or trapped, since I'm claustrophobic.

[@georgemartin813]

Juan Nunez 8 more days for me 🤙

[@JN-nw9gp]

@@georgemartin813 👍

[@DianneElizabeth64]

Same. Especially when my second cast was made too tight. Long two weeks till it was replaced

[@fireden20]

Juan Nunez same, I broke my wrist and I’m super clostrophobic

[@skg5067]

Thank you !

[@angelablack7946]

I just got my first cast on today. So glad I found this.

[@jenmia3063]

Heck I'm back in a cast after breaking my distial radius and Scaphoid a month later.

[@rachaelmitchell2519]

I broke my arm Easter Monday 2019 now it's 4 days later while watching this yesterday I got a pink cast I'm not allowed to get my cast wet 💦

[@joshuabroadhurst936]

Is it the same for leg/ankle casts also

[@zeropointprogramming]

What about ankle fracture casts (mine goes from toes all the way to 4 inches below my knee mainly concerned with the bloody itching

[@sofanta-stick6637]

I have never broken a bone and I haven’t yet I have no clue why I’m watching this

[@KevyB.]

🤦🏽‍♂️

[@sarahchase327]

ok why is this me rn

[@myscreen2urs]

Maybe life is preparing you 🙃

[@whoooami2090]

I just use a wide piece of elastic to secure a trash bag on my arm. Hang in the shower to dry.

[@steezy_2k227]

broke my wrist a week ago on a football practice and now im in a 5 day 9 to 4 football camp

[@megan3900]

You guys are lucky the bone in my elbow popped off I have to get surgery tomorrow to put pins in oof

[@montygamble2843]

Is there anyway to incorporate some kind of pencil holder in a new cast? i.e. Velcro. Thank you

[@lucasbestboi3175]

Broke my wrist last week and waiting for cast

[@nancygibson2659]

I need to know how to dry my hair with one arm! Please.

[@Incognito-yl4ty]

I need help the inside of my cast is really tight what should I do

[@LostLeftyLimb]

What do you do about the 72 hours of itching that make you want to tear your eyes out.

[@LilyAndBehold]

Ouh darn... The most important one. A hack for when you literally need to make an entire day trip to the fracture clinic since they're not local, and as soon as you come home, your toddler slips it right off just as easy as a sweater sleeve. It nearly falls off its so loose. So, any tips to remould the cast to get a tighter fit without needing to waste another entire day driving?

[@honkymonkey9568]

can you personally relate to the swelling and pain?

[@Whatidunno1]

In wrapping cast padding or dressing, always wrap distal to proximal

[@wildone9947]

just broke my arm today so now im here

[@leej8856]

Many thanks. I've broken my scaphoid bone and went for a black cast

[@jar407]

for wrap possibly the 2 inch the phlebotomist use for venipuncture's on blood thinner patients

[@myscreen2urs]

I just had my cast swapped for a plastic splint. It's a partial hand splint for my 4th and 5th proximal bones, so the splint covers my pinky, ring finger and middle finger for stability. It's an improvement from the cast as I can finally move my wrist and index finger. The problem is the mugginess and sweatiness from the plastic. I can remove this splint periodically and I noticed White blisters on my fingers where they're in contact with plastic. I've only had this splint for a day but it's getting unbearably uncomfortable. I can feel the plastic stuck to my fingers. How do I make this more comfortable?

[@alijd6287]

From personal experience id say put an absorbent cloth ir papertowel in there as a barrier

[@myscreen2urs]

@@alijd6287 that's what I ended up doing. I also used talcum powder to absorb any moisture. It worked to an extent and minimised the blisters but man was I glad to have my hand out of that thing eventually

[@riwanramli7604]

what about tips for handling itching? im using a Synthetic cast with water proof lining. its a long cast on my left arm. the itching sensation is driving me nuts.

[@analeptic]

Riwan Ramli dame but I have fractured my wrist (right hand) and it’s my dominant hand :(

[@davidcolledge7914]

PA Luara Where did you find the ace wraps at

[@Sunshine-zp8eg]

I wet my cast....there is any way to let it dry

[@user-of7lj2ks5k]

I broke my wrist three years ago before flight Home and I had to fly with a broken wrist with no cast or support and now three years later I’ve broken the exact same place again I’m going to the ER tomorrow lol wish me luck

[@LaceyRose_]

I get this was made 6 years ago, but having an arm/wrist cast for months can be difficult, i struggle with moving it around , and my fingers moving. And also the bags aren't that safe cause they can break during the wear. A better option it professional aqua cast bags that seal at the top of you're arm

[@barbaramcnulty7505]

It's a lot easier without the accompanying agonising pain, also I couldn't open ring pull cans as two hands are required, and I haven't the strength in the uninjured hand to pull back. Very tired as well as the body puts the energy inyo healing the bone.

[@michellecastro6650]

Hi does anyone know where I can apply that will accept me with a cast 🥺

[@axiom3306]

I broke my under arm and shoulder, well done me

[@dafawkisdat2385]

I broke my radius in my forearm this morning and I have on the first cast I think 🤔 that I will get another cast soon bc it’s hot asl in here

[@lavenderwarrior1]

I literally just got casted yesterday 😭

[@sledgecity]

Ok so i broke my arm 9 weeks ago it sat for 7 weeks healed in the wrongplace i had to get a rod and im getting it taken out in 2 weeks

[@TownGirl04]

An old sock? Not sure I could take the pressure of it and putting it on. It's very painful, at the moment. If you can take it..go for it.

[@dugsdale]

Really helpful, esp. the cast-sleeve recommendations. I'm a week-plus post-op fromCMC surgery, and wish I'd known about the veterinary sleeves. You may be a little optimistic about opening ring-pull cans; you need 2 STRONG hands to get them open. also I got a jar opener that came with a little neoprene disc about the size of a can or jar bottom: the neoprene sticks to the counter, you put the jar on it, and the neoprene grips it too, so voila, one-handed jar unscrewing. (Oxo made mine, I'm sure there are others.) Also, I swore I'd never be caught dead in elastic-waist pants, but...guess what: only option. thanks again!

[@ilovepickles273]

I just broke my arm

[@brandonquinonez9760]

I feel you

[@baillyburns5386]

Same

[@lizardojohnpaul7459]

Sameq

[@tomjimenez6226]

If you don’t experience the pain then you don’t understand 🤔

[@indiahoover4536]

Yeah two days ago I fractured my growth plate in my wrist and I was ay least crying for 10 minutes straight

[@stefaniasaponaro4550]

I know it hurts soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much

[@aishehothman9808]

@@stefaniasaponaro4550 sooo truuu

[@stfu562]

India Hoover :p I broke my growth plate and it didn’t even hurt lol. I thought I might’ve just twisted it because I was not in any pain.

[@DanielDiaz-lw2qf]

i got 2 fractures ice skating on september 24 and i have 3 more weeks first 4 weeks i had a splint today they put a cast for extra protection i technically need 2 weeks but they added 1 more to be sure

[@brittneyjohnson1433]

Damn I’m in a cast right now for six weeks 5 more to go and it’s terrible broke two bones in my wrist

[@Samik-lz2dv]

Same six weeks its so itchy

[@jesusgallegos7200]

I broke my fuckin ankle

[@kindlee3468]

What if you’re sweating while going for walk or exercise????

[@chadmichaels6086]

Don't exercise

[@beckywalters4190]

Mad Lad McLean you need to exercise

[@osminovec4226]

Bella Cook. Yep but, not that much.

[@WilliamODonoghue-hg2ei]

Sweat is temporary, gains are forever

[@Its_OREOO1st]

I still have a cast I have it because when I got a cast the person said I will never ever take my cast of 😭 yay 😂

[@devontecaston612]

I broke two bones and my lift hand today

[@mariahcarey-jj5zi]

hmmm my leg has been in a cast for four weeks now

[@Mx.Cottingham]

That cast doesn't look like any I've seen or had. Full use of the fingers like this seems super uncommon. Even when my cast was for protecting the partially external pins to fix my pinky, I only had use of my thumb and to the second knuckle of my index finger. Not sure if I'll get a cast or another splint tomorrow for post surgical follow up, but it's my index finger that broke, along with my arm that required a plate and screws, so not sure how well it's been healing. 🤞 I'll get back use of my thumb and other fingers to hold things like a wash cloth.

[@umbramortis8753]

It’s the same cast I have, I’ve got a scaphoid fracture and a radius fracture. So all of my breaks are in the wrist/lower hand, so ready to get this cast off!

[@lurdesvillanueva5795]

Helpful

[@PatienceMelissa]

Watch out for your opposite shoulder. That will really suffer after several weeks... If you don't have any help.

[@arslboy8581]

Fractured my arm yesterday

[@ohmzs]

I broke my radius 6 days ago :(

[@x-axisgaming343]

I broke my radius a month ago and had surgery with 5 different casts bud

[@kylerawa]

I broke my radius yesterday

[@kongsquad7821]

I have fractured my hand 🖐 got my cast on for 4 weeks but got something else for bathing

[@georgemartin813]

Kong Squad 8 more days for me 🤙

[@peacefulcrossing1695]

Hehe it so cool

[@Anyataylorjoi]

How long is the wait for a fracture wrist

[@danielblake6473]

ikustakA 9666 4-6 weeks for a distill radius fracture

[@briannadoesroblox839]

Daniel I fractured my wrist and i get it off on Halloween

[@nolaproductions3978]

But my fingers are bent and the cast goes over my fingere

[@11lucygoosey]

Exactly. Her cast is a joke. Try it covering 3/4 of your fingers and past your elbow. I WISH I had a cast like hers.

[@mikes.7654]

I have had 330 fractures and would have 332 just to get you to put a cast on me like holy shit.

[@lexeloveit]

I think I heard a o tot say no baby powder😮

[@kksvids5696]

Wait then what do we do if it itches

[@aurora-on7vc]

It’z Kahli we face the torture

[@tledger1716]

I broke my leg

[@gghhvgghh9840]

I’m getting my cast off todayyyy

[@steelnole3847]

I have one week left!!

[@ParadiseofDarkness]

Umm... wouldn't you cast the whole hand because because the bending joint shouldn't move. Wtf...

[@quad383]

So there’s a problem. my cast goes over my thumb…

[@xavionyt7753]

Fractured my elbow today *October 20 2019*

[@analeptic]

Just fractured my wrist

[@Alg3230]

I fractured my wrist yesterday everybody told me I was fine but obviously not!!

[@unicorn-pv2yd]

Did it hurt after you got the cast mine still is horribly painful

[@gamingwithgaopqo442]

Ty I j use brkke my arm

[@maddie-81]

i broke two fingers two days ago.

[@ssldlse]

I was sledding with a boogie board and smashed into a tree, rip my elbow

[@kevinray2708]

You’ll never understand in that short time . Give it 3/5 weeks . Then you’ll get a true idea !

[@cbr5036]

Most of us call it Vet Wrap.

[@ogmhj]

i can tell you are from minnesota

[@oohhorrormovie530]

How do i sleep comfortably please someone help me

[@bennyrururipson8096]

Ooh Horror movie I have a cast right now and I’m getting it off in s couple days. Sleeping for me was pretty hard but the best position for me was to put my arm up against a wall and let it rest there. If you don’t have a wall to support it, I would use pillows and put it by the sides of the cast. Wish you good luck

[@oohhorrormovie530]

benny ru ru ripson thank you so much 🙏

[@11lucygoosey]

@@bennyrururipson8096 For any new people here, PILLOWS! Lots of pillows. Prop that baby up.

[@artistki6435]

what's the difference between the short one like in this vid and s cast that covers half of the upper arm ?

[@beckywalters4190]

Cardboard studios depends on where the break is, how bad it is, and the wrist or upper arm 😊

[@11lucygoosey]

TONS. She can move her fingers and elbow. It sucks to have an upper arm cast. I was shocked at how I couldn't move my arm much the day my cast came off. Took awhile and therapy to get it back to almost normal.

[@paulmaria08]

My friend have a cast.

[@BLOCCSPROTECTORS]

Lara, look at our product! We have created one of the greatest life hacks!

[@besafe5969]

cool

[@spectacularboiyt1133]

Broke my arm diving to save a high shot in football rip(first time breaking a bone wish me luck

[@AGDollFan4Ever]

ok well thats cooler than nice, I broke my pinky just by a missed football catch

[@paulac5934]

One thing to mention on your video. You are using all your fingers to do stuff. I have a broken wrist in a cast on my wrist and my fingers cannot be used. So the video is a little misleading

[@IceESole]

Anyone has any advice to loosen a cast????

[@Regocike]

Lose weight

[@BluDrop5]

Go get it recasted.

[@Alice-el3nt]

I broke my leg by a sprain

[@jay2blunt]

Wow

[@Username92353]

My last day

[@samwright635]

For bathing just put a trash bag over you’re arm secured with rubber bands

[@PatienceMelissa]

Or an ice bag with stretchy hair ties.