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 the injury from healing well. If the splint becomes damaged or loses its shape, it may need to be replaced.
You have a broken ___________________ bone.
This bone is located in your ____________.
Home Care
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Wear your splint according to your doctor’s instructions.
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Clean the splint with soap and lukewarm water, and scrub it with a small brush.
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Use alcohol wipes to rub the inside of the splint to reduce odor and bacteria.
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Wash the Velcro straps and inner cloth sleeve (stockinet) with soapy water and air dry.
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Keep your splint away from open flames.
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Don’t expose your splint to heat, space heaters, or prolonged sunlight. Excessive heat will cause the splint to change shape.
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Don’t cut or tear the splint.
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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.
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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:
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Tingling or numbness in the affected area
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Severe pain that cannot be relieved with medication
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Cast that feels too tight or too loose
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Swelling, coldness, or blue-gray color in the fingers or toes
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Cast that is damaged, cracked, or has rough edges that hurt
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Pressure sores or red marks that don’t go away within 1 hour after removing the splint
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Blisters
