Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Splint
You will be going home with a splint (sometimes referred to as a removable cast). A splint helps your body heal by holding your injured bones or joints in place. Take good care of your splint. A damaged splint can keep your injury from healing well. If your splint becomes damaged or loses its shape, you may need to replace it.
You have a broken ___________________ bone.
This bone is located in your ____________.
Home Care
Wear your splint according to your doctor’s instructions.
Clean the splint with soap and lukewarm water, and scrub it with a small brush.
Use alcohol wipes to rub the inside of the splint to reduce odor and bacteria.
Wash the Velcro straps and inner cloth sleeve (stockinet) with soapy water and air dry.
Keep your splint away from open flames.
Don’t expose your splint to heat, space heaters, or prolonged sunlight. Excessive heat will cause the splint to change shape.
Don’t cut or tear the splint.
Exercise all the adjacent joints not immobilized by the splint. If you have a long leg splint, exercise your hip joint and your toes. If you have an arm splint, exercise your shoulder, elbow, thumb, and fingers.
Elevate the part of your body that is in the splint. This helps reduce swelling.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
Tingling or numbness in the affected area
Severe pain that cannot be relieved with medication
Cast that feels too tight or too loose
Swelling, coldness, or blue-gray color in the fingers or toes
Cast that is damaged, cracked, or has rough edges that hurt
Pressure sores or red marks that don’t go away within 1 hour after removing the splint
Blisters