Can you walk with a full leg cast?
When it’s okay to put weight on your leg or foot cast, don’t stand or walk on it unless it’s designed for walking. Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the first 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
Why would you need a full leg cast?
A cast holds a broken bone (fracture) in place and prevents the area around it from moving as it heals. Casts also help prevent or decrease muscle contractions and help keep the injured area immobile, especially after surgery, which can also help decrease pain.
What happens if I walk on my cast?
Walking on your cast increases circulation to the area of your injury, which can promote healing of your broken bone. Walking on your cast also keeps you from losing bone mass. Even brief periods of walking while you’re in a cast can help prevent bone loss.
When walking with crutches which leg goes first?
Step up with your strong leg first. Bring the crutches up, one in each arm. Place your weight on the strong leg and then bring your weak leg up.
Do you need a boot after a cast?
When the fracture stabilizations, which usually occurs in a matter of weeks, the fiberglass cast is removed and a walking boot may be recommended. Sometimes, a walking boot isn’t even needed after wearing a fiberglass cast.
What to avoid while wearing a cast?
Avoid placing powder, lotion or deodorant on or near the cast. Leave adjustments to your child’s doctor. Don’t pull the padding out of your child’s cast. Don’t trim the cast or break off rough edges without first asking your child’s doctor.
Is it safe to put my weight on crutches?
Believe me—it is not as simple as it looks! For one thing, putting your weight on crutches imposes a physical insult on your armpits—that is, if you use the crutches the wrong way. I needed lessons for the safe way to use them in order to avoid damaging a nerve in the underarm area.
What do you need to know about a bent knee cast?
When your leg is in a cast, you need a sense of humor and lots of patience! Wearing a bent-knee leg cast may temporarily change your lifestyle, but it needn’t immobilize you. You can adjust to the limitations it imposes and may even acquire a new level of patience from the experience.
Do you have to wear a cast for a broken ankle?
A cast may not have to be worn for such a long period of time, and it may be removable when resting. I wish I could blame my broken ankle on a daredevil feat, such as skiing, mountain climbing or some other athletic action that was totally foreign to me.