What to do if the plaster on your hand gets wet. Swimming with a cast on your leg. Broken leg. Gypsum. How to survive this? Useful tips. Personal experience What happens if you wet the plaster on your hand

After breaking an arm or leg, we face difficulties in maintaining good hygiene. Although it is not easy to shower with a cast, this problem can be solved. If you have broken an arm or leg, you must ensure that the cast remains dry while swimming. You should also be careful when getting in and out of the shower. If you do accidentally wet your cast, call your doctor for advice on what to do next.

Steps

Protecting plaster from water

Buy a plaster case. This is perhaps the easiest way to protect plaster from moisture, which also saves time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this type of cover. Many companies produce covers to protect plaster from water.

• Cast covers are usually long sleeves made of waterproof material. Such a cover is stretched over plaster. The covers come in a variety of sizes and are designed to fit a variety of types of plaster casts. Their main advantage is that they are much more reliable and durable than other devices.
• Some plaster covers are equipped with a pump that allows you to pump out the air from under the cover. As a result, the cover tightly covers the plaster and reliably protects it from moisture.

1. Use plastic bags. If you don't have a plaster case, you can use improvised items. Sealing plastic bags will help cover the cast and protect it from water.

   • Regular plastic bags for food or garbage will do. Stretch the bag over the plaster and secure it with a rubber band or duct tape. The elastic bands put less pressure on the skin, and after taking a shower, the bag can be reused.
   • Before using the bag, check for any holes or tears that could allow water to enter.

2. Try using plastic wrap. You can wrap the plaster tightly with plastic wrap to protect it from water. Wrap the film around the entire plaster and check for any gaps where water could seep through. After this, secure the film with tape or an elastic band.

   • Please note that plastic wrap may be less effective than other methods. Although it is quite cheap, water can seep through the gaps between the layers.

3. Tie the top end of the cast with a washcloth or towel. This should be done regardless of the method you use. A towel or washcloth will prevent water from getting under the cast. If water seeps under the cast, it can lead to infection.

   other methods

   1. Keep the cast away from water. Even with proper protection, there is a risk that water will still get onto the plaster. Try to keep the cast out of the water until your cast is removed.

   2. Try wiping yourself with a wet sponge instead of taking a shower. In addition to the risk of getting your cast wet, getting in and out of the shower after an injury is difficult. This is especially difficult if you have a broken leg. If possible, try not to shower, but to wipe yourself with a wet washcloth.

      • If a child has a cast, it may be worth scrubbing him with a wet sponge until he is comfortable with the cast or it is removed.
      • If you have a plaster cast on an adult, you can sponge yourself at the sink. It will be more convenient if you can ask someone for help.

   3. Ask your doctor if a waterproof cast is right for you. Such plaster can usually be safely immersed in water. If you are concerned about getting your cast wet, ask your doctor about a waterproof cast.

      • There are several materials used to make waterproof plaster. Ask your doctor which material is right for you. Some materials may be better than others, and your doctor will be able to explain which material is right for you.
      • Please note that waterproof plaster may still allow water to pass through. Although it resists water better than a regular cast, precautions must be taken when bathing. Try to get the cast wet less often.
      • A waterproof cast may not be suitable if mobility is necessary for the fracture to heal better.

   Swimming with a leg cast

   1. Place a chair in the shower. If you break your leg, you will need somewhere to sit while you shower. Many people prefer to use folding chairs, but be sure to consult your doctor first. Consult with him what is best to use for sitting in the shower.

      • Check that the chair is stable. If the chair slips in the shower, you could fall and aggravate your injury.
      • To prevent the chair from slipping, you can place a bath mat under it.
      • Have someone who doesn't have a broken leg check the chair before you sit on it yourself.

   2. Get into the shower stall. If you have crutches or a walker, use them to get into the shower stall. Turn your back to the booth and sit down on the chair.

      • Hold on to everything you can. Try holding onto the sides of the shower or the pipe if it is stable. Please note that some shower pipes are not screwed to the wall. Before using the pipe for support, check that it is securely attached.
      • Carefully sit on a chair and move your bandaged leg so that water does not flow onto it. Face the shower faucets.

How could this happen?

Those around me tormented me with the question: “How could this happen?” And really, how? Out of the blue, on a warm autumn day! Troubles... They always happen unexpectedly and at the most inopportune moment. Do you remember the famous film “The Diamond Arm”?

“Slipped, fell, closed fracture, lost consciousness, woke up - cast!”

As for me personally, I didn’t even fall (I just sprained my leg), but I still had a broken leg and a cast accordingly. From this we can draw a reasonable conclusion: this can happen to anyone, especially since winter is just around the corner, along with the obligatory thaws and ice. I advise you to get acquainted with my experience. After all, the ancient Latin expression says: “Praemonītus praemūnītus” (“Forewarned is forearmed”). And even if this knowledge will never be useful to you personally, you will be able to give practical advice to someone else in a similar situation.

Visit to the Trauma Center

This was the sad picture for four weeks

Mode. Where can I get the equipment?

The treatment for a broken leg is defined in a few words: “Don’t stand on your leg!” Do you need to move around somehow? It turned out that there are many special medical devices for this: crutches, walkers and strollers of various designs. But where can I get them on a Friday night and urgently? My dear girls resolved this issue back in the emergency room, while they were putting a cast on me.

It was found that various devices are used to move people with leg injuries, for example: crutches, walkers and strollers. You must first decide what exactly is required. And only after that, upon request in Yandex, “walker rental” (or whatever is selected), study pictures and descriptions, choose a design, compare prices, find a rental point that is suitable (by location). All that remains is to arrange a visit and take the necessary item home. The search was successful. And as a result, within a couple of hours the “transport” was standing next to my sofa. Rental cost is 1000 rubles per month.

There is something else that I didn’t know about and never thought about before what happened. In fact, in addition to mobility devices, it may be necessary to deliver a bedridden patient to some place, for example, to the same hospital a week after applying a plaster cast. It turned out that in Volgograd there are special services that provide such services. True, they are not cheap, but when such a need arises, you rejoice at any opportunity. The addresses and telephone numbers of these services are also easily found on the Internet. Luckily, we managed on our own.

Medicines

It is important! Walkers, of course, help, but at first there are muscle pains from such physical exercise. There are many different painkillers. But I want to warn you that the so-called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), very harmful to the stomach. And if there is gastritis or an ulcer, then they are categorically “IMPOSSIBLE”.

I used universal cream-balm " Special lubricant” with original advertising: “special forces veterans recommend.” It contains many natural ingredients, including: Siberian fir oil, extracts of juniper, cloves, plantain, formic alcohol. “Special ointment” really quickly helps with muscle pain and joint pain, and the cream-balm also perfectly relieves itching from mosquito bites and other “enemies.” This is what I tested on myself. It's not expensive. The last time we bought it for 68 rubles.

When wearing a cast for a long time, irritation occurs. Relieves itching and skin irritation very well (the first time) Tsindol. Sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Can be used for children from the first days of life. I have known him since the days when my children were in diapers. The cost of a bottle is from 60 to 80 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and the pharmacy. I don’t know how it is in other cities, but in Volgograd, there are “cheap” pharmacies and there are “expensive” ones.

Chlorhexidine. I would like to introduce readers to another cheap and very good remedy - an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate 0.05% (Chlorhexidine). The drug is used as an antiseptic. It can also be used on newborn babies. Sold without a prescription. This product is the cheapest analogue of the widely advertised Miramistin (the price of a 50 ml bottle of 0.01% Miramistin solution is from 237 rubles). I bought a solution of Chlorhexidine from 12 to 20 rubles per 100 ml bottle. I think that comments are unnecessary.

Photo from the Internet

I found information on the Internet about the cheapest analogues of Miromistin and bring it to your attention. See for yourself.

Photo from the Internet

I shared my opinion about three cheap and effective medicines that I have been using myself for many years. They came in handy in this case too. They are all produced in Russia, which is why they are cheap!

Exercise, self-massage

You will probably be surprised and think: “What is she talking about? What kind of training can you do in bed? Now think about how long you will have to lie down. I had to 4 (four)! weeks. If you don’t force the body to work, then how can you get up and go? I’m afraid that you will get up, but even you will stand like a “thin mountain ash.” What can we say about walking...

It is important! The sister who applied the plaster immediately said that it was imperative to move and outlined the regime: 30 minutes - lie down; 30 minutes – sit. And do not lower your leg in a cast to the floor, but place it next to you to reduce swelling.

To be honest, I didn’t follow 30/30. Naturally, in favor of sitting. But I made it a rule to do exercises three times a day for 10-15 minutes, the simplest ones available in my situation. The exercises followed a certain sequence: arms (starting with the fingers), then the neck, then the body, and last but not least, the legs. Moreover, for a healthy leg it was possible to do a lot of things, even a “bicycle”, but for the one in a cast... I did rocking (up and down), horizontal movements and exercises for the knee. It should be noted that all these exercises were performed “with weights”, because the plaster weighed a lot! The main thing here is without fanaticism, so as not to cause harm. We must not forget about the fingers, especially for a broken leg. You need to move your fingers, they are “free” after all. I didn’t come up with this, but received such recommendations at the emergency room. To make physical exercise more enjoyable, I did it to my favorite tunes.

I hope that in exactly 17 days (counting from November 11), I will get up and walk without dizziness and trembling knees.

As for self-massage, imagination, skills and the Internet can help you. I did the simplest one. Here is a photo of my little massager.

Nutrition rules

Once this has happened and you have to lie down, the question of nutrition arises by itself: the natural pattern is that the more you eat, the more often you need to visit a secluded place in your apartment (house). It’s good that it’s not located on another floor of your mansion, otherwise woe to you. You can't jump up the stairs! In addition, if you do not moderate your appetite, you will undoubtedly gain weight. It will be more difficult to move. Yes, and you can “grow” out of clothes. Do I need it?

It is best to switch to a healthy diet right away. I won't talk about him. I'll show you everything using my example.

For breakfast and dinner I had porridge, but small portions. For lunch there is only one course: first or second. It is necessary to sharply reduce bread (1-2 pieces per day), no buns, pies and other goodies. For the third there was only green tea without sugar + one cookie and (or) candy. Everything delicious will be later, when the plaster is removed. Snacks – fruits and vegetables. And most importantly, drink a lot of plain water.

Naturally, no alcohol and, if possible, smoking. I'm not talking about myself. Such a chance to quit these bad habits! Don't miss out!

Entertainment

Nothing distracts you from the desire to chew something like an interesting activity...

I didn't have access to TV. I don’t even know whether it’s “Alas” or “Fortunately”. At first I was bored, but then I got used to it and tried to replace it with other entertainment.

I've watched quite a lot of films. Below are a few that I recommend watching. Movie " The Legend of Tampuk" It lifts your mood, everyone knows that a good mood is a very important component in treatment. A funny and witty crime comedy, sometimes with erotic elements. Children are not allowed to watch. Well-chosen cast of actors. The main roles are played by amazing artists - Ekaterina Vasilyeva and Armen Dzhigarkhanyan. Take a look, I'm sure you won't regret it!

Movie " Monk and demon" In my opinion, this is a pretty serious thing, you just need to look at it carefully and think carefully.

Movie " Smell of a woman" American Cinema (1992). It tells the story of a blind military man. Nothing obscene. There are, however, several “very adult” statements by the main character. I think that this film would be useful for boys over 16 or 18 to watch. Starring the inimitable Al Pacino (Oscar and Golden Globe for this role). The dance of the blind colonel with a young girl leaves a huge impression. For me this was the main moment in the film. Perhaps because I first saw a clip with this scene from the film, and then I found the film itself. Be sure to watch the video for “Dance Me To The End Of Love” performed by Leonard Cohen. This one is easy to find by paying attention to the duration - 6.06 minutes. He is very beautiful. I fell in love with him. I recommend.

It goes without saying that there were other entertainments: books, toys (yes, I indulge a little) and much more. For example, during the “lying-sitting” I wrote this article and several more... It is advisable to read books that you promised yourself many times to read, but did not have enough time. And if you do this, you will be filled with pride in yourself! Well, there must be some positive emotions in a person “chained to the sofa”? Otherwise, how can you recover!?

And all sorts of little things...

In addition to the above, all sorts of little things are needed.

In order to be able to illuminate yourself at night (the phone is not very suitable), you need a flashlight. You can do whatever your heart desires with it at night: read; work on the computer (if you get enough sleep during the day); find something you need at the moment; have fun with the cat, who also can’t sleep (she’s so funny “hunting” for the ray); you never know what else... I had this LED lamp, very convenient, bright and safe.

In order to ensure the doctors’ requirement “Do not wet!” and just for hygiene you need napkins. It is advisable to use both simple and antibacterial ones. And all sorts of other things so that you can “clean your feathers.”

The sore leg had to be held on an elevation so that the heel was in weight. We made the simplest device: we tightly tied two small sofa cushions. That was enough.

The list can be continued endlessly, but everyone will do it according to their own needs.

conclusions

This “adventure” became a real life test for me. I learned a lot about life with a cast on my leg, learned how to use a walking aid, properly organize my “working day” and place, and perform the necessary medical procedures. It wasn't easy.

In four weeks I lost almost two kilograms, and I consider this fact my victory. Well, what else can you do while lying down? Chew and chew something tasty. Eat up your troubles! But I managed to restrain myself!

I had to go through some disappointment. Due to my inexperience, I believed that the plaster would be removed and FREEDOM would come! But it turned out that this is not at all the case. Just after the cast was removed, the main problems began: the leg began to hurt, not only when moving, but also at rest and to swell.

It is important! It is normal that your leg hurts and swelling may increase in the evening. Over time, everything will get better. But everyone has their own time.

In addition, you need to carry out rehabilitation yourself: do medicinal baths (as prescribed by a doctor), I do salt baths; special therapeutic exercises; self-massage and massage with the help of devices (I had a rolling pin); apply ointments. This situation fully corresponds to the well-known proverb: “The rescue of drowning people is the work of the drowning people themselves.”

There is plenty of information on the Internet about how to do massage and physical therapy. But all this requires patience and self-discipline. How else? After all, we need to restore our “flying gait”! Otherwise, you’ll limp for the rest of your life, or maybe even worse. But let’s not talk about bad things, but let’s be patient, patient and patient!

It is important! When performing all exercises and procedures, severe pain should not be allowed.

That's all I wanted to tell you, dear site visitors. Take care of yourself! And never lose heart!

After a broken arm, we may encounter certain difficulties regarding hygiene rules. It is difficult to cope with a cast on your arm, but this problem can be solved. It is important to follow all the recommendations and then you can wash yourself completely without getting the bandage wet. If moisture accidentally gets on the cast, the skin will begin to itch. Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor if it gets wet.

In this article we will tell you how to wash with a cast on your arm. To do this, we recommend using one of the proposed options or contacting the help of UniTrade http://protec-gyps.ru/ispolzovanie/.

Ways to wash yourself with a cast on your hand

1. Buy a waterproof case.

This is a simple but very reliable way to protect plaster from moisture. Thanks to the case you can save time. Consult your doctor, he will tell you which model to prefer.

The hand cover is a long sleeve, which is made of water-resistant material. It is easy to put on the cast, securely fixing it on the arm. The product has different sizes, it is designed for different plaster casts.

Some cases come with a special pump. With its help, you can pump out the air so that the unique invention fits your hand tightly, protecting it from moisture.

2. We use cellophane.

These can be ordinary bags or garbage bags. They are more durable. These handy items are suitable if you don’t have any waterproof cases on hand.

In order to protect your hand in a cast from water while showering, wrap the bag tightly around your hand, maybe in several layers at once, and secure everything with tape. Before water procedures, be sure to check the tightness of the cellophane, look for holes that can let water through and seal them with a layer of tape or adhesive tape. This will allow you to shower, but you need to do it quickly, trying not to get your hand wet if possible.

3. Polyethylene film.

Wrap your hand tightly to protect it from moisture. Secure the plastic product with an elastic band or tape for safety. This is a cheap method, but very effective and reliable.

4. Towel.

Wrap a layer of towels around the plaster cast. These will help prevent water from penetrating your casted arm. But this method is not the most reliable. Therefore, keep the bandage away from water. If moisture gets on the plaster, infection, skin irritation, and severe itching are possible.

5. Keep the bandage aside.

Try taking a bath but keeping your arm in the cast at a distance. You can try to do this in the shower, but the option is not the easiest, requiring skill and dexterity. Do everything carefully, because even a small amount of moisture can damage the bandage.

6. Wipe off with a wet sponge.

If you are concerned about water getting on your cast, simply wet the sponge and wipe yourself off. This will not replace a hygiene procedure, but you can still become cleaner. We do the entire procedure over a bathtub or sink, it’s more convenient. Then, pat dry with a towel.

Using one of the proposed methods, you can take water procedures and not get your hand wet in a cast. Choose the most convenient option for yourself, and if possible, use the help of family or friends. Take precautions until the cast is removed.

How to properly care for a plaster cast

The last couple of weeks the weather has been spoiling us with ice. People with varying degrees of dexterity balance on sidewalks, roads, near entrances and shops. The main danger of ice is not only serious traffic accidents, but also a high probability of breaking a bone, dislocation, or sprained ligaments. This, of course, is a major nuisance, especially for older people, whose fractures take much longer to heal than those of younger people, and rarely go without complications. Sometimes, for fractures, surgery with the introduction of titanium plates is recommended. But simple fractures, as well as fractures in children, are most often treated the old fashioned way - with plaster casts. Plaster is a rather heavy and uncomfortable thing, but, on the other hand, a plaster cast reliably fixes a broken part of the body, allowing complete fusion of the bones. Gypsum is a simple and unpretentious material, but it also needs some care. How to properly care for a plaster cast and how to make it easier for yourself or your relative to experience a plaster cast?

Watching the color of your fingers

Since a plaster cast is a cheap and fairly simple means of immobilizing a patient with a fracture, dislocation or sprain, their variety is impressive: circular or circular plaster casts, splints, plaster corsets. In addition, plaster casts are sometimes applied for clubfoot or hip dysplasia. The cast is applied in the emergency room (for a simple fracture) or in the hospital (for a displaced fracture and other complications). The plaster cast must be thoroughly dried after application.

You can keep it open for one or two days, but it’s easier to dry it with a hairdryer. Here you will need outside help - a relative or nurse should run a hairdryer along the plaster for a couple of hours, not forgetting about its lower part. The fan will speed up and facilitate the drying process of the plaster. Of course, the cast reduces a person's mobility - eating and writing with the left hand is quite inconvenient (unless, of course, you are left-handed), and walking on crutches is a little pleasure. That is, the patient may need help with dressing and undressing, with hygiene procedures, eating, and while walking. But these are all temporary difficulties that can be easily overcome.

As we have already said, a plaster cast is a rather simple means of immobilization. But it can also cause some complications.

If a plaster cast is applied tightly to a limb, then the blood supply to the tissues and blood circulation may be disrupted. This can be determined by pronounced swelling of the limb and pain. Observe the color of the fingers (even if the cast is applied entirely to the leg, the tips of the fingers are left open). If you notice that they have acquired a bluish or too pale tint or color, if your fingers feel cold, run to the doctor. You can avoid squeezing the tissues with correct, but not too tight, plaster casting. Here, a lot depends on the victim himself: if a person feels that the plaster is pressing, he needs to tell the specialist who applied the plaster about it. The main rule is that after applying a plaster cast, the patient should move his fingers freely.

Plaster cast conducts heat well. This fact allows you to monitor the condition of the limb under the cast. If in some place it becomes hot, and this phenomenon is long-lasting, then it may indicate some kind of inflammatory process in the soft tissues. Here you also need to see a doctor - you may need to take blood tests that will show the presence or absence of an inflammatory process. This property of a plaster cast, such as hygroscopicity, may also indicate the condition of the soft tissues or the site of injury. Stains on the cast may also indicate something is wrong: bleeding or the beginning of a purulent process.

Gypsum chips

The aforementioned hygroscopicity of gypsum, or the ability to absorb moisture, can also serve as a bad service: gypsum can be destroyed by moisture. Therefore, the plaster cast must be carefully protected from contact with water. Hygienic procedures for a patient in a cast are somewhat difficult, and outside help will be needed here. A bag or polyethylene cover will help protect the plaster from water. Wet plaster can crack and crumble. If urine gets on the cast, which often happens with children, it absorbs it and begins to emit an unpleasant odor. Therefore, it is better for parents to help their plastered children in such a delicate matter. Pampers or a soft elastic blanket will help make the process easier, and wet wipes will ensure hygiene.

White plaster tends to get dirty. Places of contamination can be wiped with a minimally damp cloth, and also cleaned with a regular eraser.

You can wrap regular or elastic bandages over the plaster. This will also prevent it from getting dirty. In addition, plaster begins to crack and crumble over time. In a house with a plastered person, plaster dust is everywhere: on the floor, on the furniture. This is normal, but it can be annoying because caring for someone who is sick is a lot of work in itself. Add to this frequent washing of floors and cleaning of rooms with a vacuum cleaner. A plaster cover or bandages over it will protect the apartment from annoying plaster dust. Bandages should be applied especially carefully to the edges of the plaster cast. Additionally, the edge can be lined with cotton wool to prevent plaster crumbs from getting inside the bandage, where they can cause noticeable physical discomfort and even pain. If in the summer patients with plaster can safely walk (accompanied by relatives, of course), then in the cold season you need to be more careful with this. Plaster conducts well and at low temperatures, the casted limb can freeze. It is better not to leave the house unless necessary, but if you have a visit to the doctor, the plaster needs to be properly insulated. Shawls and warm woolen scarves will help here. Toes are insulated especially carefully. Woolen socks are helpful, because you can’t wear shoes on a plastered lower limb.

Mumiyo and calcium

To speed up the process of healing of broken bones, you need to take special preparations containing calcium and maintain a diet with an abundance of dairy and lactic acid products, jellied meat, and desserts in the form of jelly. Officially, doctors rarely prescribe mumiyo for fractures, but folk remedies recommend taking it first for fractures.

Shilajit, a completely natural preparation, accelerates the processes of healing and tissue regeneration. Pearl powder can be used as a source of calcium; the digestibility of such natural calcium is very high.

Prolonged immobilization in a cast negatively affects the condition of joints and muscles. Their atrophy is inevitable, but in order to reduce it at least a little, the patient should move his fingers as often as possible. Light physical exercise on a healthy parallel limb is also welcome - the muscles on a broken arm or leg will involuntarily be put to work.

The cast is usually removed at the emergency room or by an orthopedist at a local clinic. The sight of skin that has been in a cast for several weeks can initially cause shock. Over-dried, wrinkled, unnaturally white or reddened skin with pimples is an absolutely normal phenomenon. It happens that a limb under a cast becomes overgrown with hair (the temperature under the cast is higher than normal, so the hair begins to grow faster). After three to four months, this excess hair wears off.

Weakened, exhausted skin after plaster removal requires special care - with the help of moisturizing oils, balms, and baby creams. Don’t be lazy to treat the surface as often as possible - the skin needs to be helped to recover.

Well, massage and a complex of physical therapy will help restore the functions of the limb. An experienced massage therapist will help you develop your joints and restore your muscles to their former strength. But everything takes time. Immediately after using crutches, a person will not run and, perhaps, will not even walk. Lameness and limited mobility may also persist for a long time.

Moisov Adonis Alexandrovich

Orthopedic surgeon, doctor of the highest category

Moscow, Balaklavsky prospect, 5, metro station "Chertanovskaya"

Moscow, st. Koktebelskaya 2, bldg. 1, metro station "Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard"

Moscow, st. Berzarina 17 bldg. 2, metro station "Oktyabrskoye Pole"

Write to us on WhatsApp and Viber

Education and professional activities

Education:

In 2009 he graduated from the Yaroslavl State Medical Academy with a degree in general medicine.

From 2009 to 2011, he completed a clinical residency in traumatology and orthopedics at the Clinical Emergency Hospital named after. N.V. Solovyov in Yaroslavl.

Professional activity:

From 2011 to 2012, he worked as an orthopedic traumatologist at Emergency Hospital No. 2 in Rostov-on-Don.

Currently working in a clinic in Moscow.

Internships:

May 27 - 28, 2011 - Moscow - III International Conference “Foot and Ankle Surgery”.

2012 - training course on Foot Surgery, Paris (France). Correction of forefoot deformities, minimally invasive surgeries for plantar fasciitis (heel spurs).

February 13 -14, 2014 Moscow - II Congress of Traumatologists and Orthopedists. “Traumatology and orthopedics of the capital. Present and future."

June 26-27, 2014 - took part in V All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons, Kazan .

November 2014 - Advanced training "Application of arthroscopy in traumatology and orthopedics"

May 14-15, 2015 Moscow - Scientific and practical conference with international participation. "Modern traumatology, orthopedics and disaster surgeons."

2015 Moscow - Annual international conference.

June 2-3, 2016 Nizhny Novgorod - VI All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons.

In June 2016 Assigned. Moscow city.

Scientific and practical interests: foot surgery and hand surgery.

Pain when wearing a cast

In most cases, closed fractures are fixed with plaster. There are two types of fixation:

• Fixation with a plaster splint is when a damaged limb or some part of it on one side is fixed (splinted) with plaster. Used for fresh injury (up to 6 days)

• Fixation with a circular plaster cast is when the damaged limb or some part of it is circularly fixed with a plaster bandage.

A fresh injury is fixed only with a plaster splint and bandage. Due to the fact that the swelling of the damaged area will increase within three days from the moment of injury and last up to 6 days. Swelling can contribute to compression of the soft tissues under the plaster cast and cause disruption of trophism in the tissues. As a result, areas of skin necrosis and epidermal blisters may appear. In the worst case, when even large (main) vessels are compressed, necrosis of the limb area occurs. But this happens extremely rarely, because... the pain experienced by a person without blood supply to the limb cannot be tolerated, and if the patient is conscious, then in any case he will remove the plaster himself.

Only after swelling has decreased can you change the splint bandage to a circular plaster or polymer one for more stable fixation (if it is needed at all).

Signs of severe compression of soft tissues:

• Intense pain, unbearable (even painkillers do not help)
• Cyanosis of the distal (lower) part of the injured limb (for example, fingers turned blue after applying a cast to the hand or forearm)
• Numbness and decreased temperature in the distal part of the injured limb (for example, fingers become numb and cold after applying a cast to the hand or forearm)

If you have these signs, then you should cut the plaster cast bandage as soon as possible (this will reduce tissue compression) and consult a doctor. If this is after hours, then go to the trauma center where the plaster was applied, or call an ambulance. If you feel this during the day, then contact a surgeon at your local clinic! And the third option is to a private medical center. The medical institution will assess the degree of compression of the limb and, if necessary, change your splint or “unclamp it”.

If the pain and swelling are minor, then there is no reason to worry. This could happen. Without this, not a single injury goes away. Therefore, elevate the injured limb to reduce swelling and be patient.

After 6 days, the plaster can be replaced with a polymer bandage or a rigid fixation orthosis. They are much more convenient and easier.

Don't self-medicate!

Only a doctor can determine the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. If you have any questions, you can call orask a question about.

What are limb fractures?

A broken arm or leg is usually the result of trauma. A fracture can damage muscles, nerves, and other soft tissue.

In most cases - especially in children - fractures heal completely without leaving deformities. But in adults with poor health and problems with the circulatory system, broken bones do not heal well. A severe open fracture, when the integrity of the skin over the fracture site is compromised, can lead to severe blood loss and life-threatening shock.

What are the causes of limb fractures?

Most arm and leg fractures usually occur due to falling on an outstretched arm or during sports. If a child has multiple or recurring fractures, it may be the result of abuse.

If a disease process (such as osteoporosis, bone cancer, or metabolic disease) causes bones to become brittle, a simple cough or sneeze can cause a fracture. Prolonged standing, walking, or running can also cause a broken foot or ankle, which often happens to babysitters, mail carriers, soldiers, and runners.

What are the symptoms of fractures?

Fractures of the arms and legs can cause the following symptoms:

pain and tenderness when touched;

pale skin over the fracture;

disappearance of pulse;

unpleasant sensation of numbness, tingling and burning;

A fracture affects the mobility of the limb, the site of injury may become deformed, swell, and the skin in the area of ​​the fracture changes color. Bone fragments rubbing against each other cause a crackling sound - crepitus. Numbness, tingling and loss of pulse, as well as cold, marbled, bluish skin around the injury site usually indicate poor blood supply or nerve damage. With an open fracture, the integrity of the skin is compromised.

With broken arms and legs, the following complications are possible:

if bone fragments do not heal or heal incorrectly, permanent deformation or dysfunction of the limb remains;

localized destruction or infection of bone fragments (as a result of poor blood circulation);

shock caused by damage to blood vessels (especially if the femur is fractured);

contractures (persistent muscle contractions) and kidney stones due to prolonged immobility;

Fat embolism is a serious complication caused by a clot of fat blocking an artery.

How are limb fractures diagnosed?

The doctor takes into account the recent injury, examines the site of injury, asks the patient to carefully move the limb below the injured area, and then sends the patient for an x-ray. X-rays of the injured area and the joints above and below it confirm the diagnosis.

How are fractures treated?

Limb fractures require immediate medical attention. The joints located above and below the fracture must be fixed in a stationary position. Ice is applied to the fracture site, and the limb is elevated to reduce swelling and pain.

MORE ABOUT THE DISEASE

How does bone healing occur?

A broken bone begins to heal immediately after the fracture. But the fragments take a long time to recover into a single whole. To avoid complications, as well as for complete and speedy healing, you should do everything that is provided for in the recovery program. Learn about the stages of bone healing.

Blood collects at the site of injury

First, blood collects around the broken ends of the bone, forming a jelly-like mass called a clot. After 24 hours, a mesh network is formed from it, which serves as a framework for the growth of new bone tissue.

Cells begin healing

Soon the frame is filled with osteoclasts and osteoblasts - cells that are involved in bone healing. Osteoclasts smooth out the broken edges of the bone, and osteoblasts build a bridge, filling the gap between bone fragments. After a few days, these cells form a bridge of granulation tissue.

Callus formation

6-10 days after the injury, the bridge between the bone fragments forms a bone mass (callus), which gradually hardens.

Until the callus becomes strong, any sudden movement can lead to its fracture. This is why it is so important to keep the broken bone immobilized until it heals completely.

The bone hardens

3-10 weeks after the injury, new blood vessels begin to deliver calcium, a building material for new bone tissue, to the callus. As a result of this process, the ends of the bone fragments are firmly connected into a single whole. Gradually the bone heals, the plaster can be removed. However, it may take a year for the bone to become as strong as before the fracture.

SELF-HELP

Care of the immobilizing bandage

Look at the immobilization bandage as a temporary body part that needs the same care as the rest of the body.

Speed ​​up the drying time of the dressing

Immobilizing bandages are made of plaster, fiberglass or synthetic material. For a cast to support a broken bone well, the wet material must dry well and evenly. At first, the wet bandage will be very heavy and hot. But don't worry - it will become lighter as it dries.

To make drying faster, provide air flow. Immobilizing dressings made of fiberglass and synthetic material dry quickly, while plaster takes a long time to dry. A plaster cast on an arm or leg dries in 24-48 hours.

When you lift an injured limb immobilized with a bandage, placing it on pillows, place an oilcloth or piece of plastic under the pillowcase. Place a thin towel between the pillow and the bandage to absorb moisture. Never place a wet dressing directly on a plastic surface.

Take care to ensure the dressing dries evenly

To ensure that the dressing dries evenly, change the position of the limb on the pillow every 2 hours, turning it with your palms, but not your fingertips. To prevent bulges from forming inside the dressing that could irritate or chafe the skin, do not put your fingers under the dressing while it is wet. Be careful not to dent the bandage by touching it with your fingers while it is still wet.

Keep the dressing clean

Once the bandage is dry, you can remove dirt and stains with a damp cloth and a mild abrasive cleaner. Use water in minimal quantities; After cleaning, wipe the bandage dry.

Protect the bandage from deformation

Avoid hitting the bandage on hard surfaces. To protect the plantar surface of the bandage from impacts, scratches and dirt, place a piece of an old rug under it. Make a V at the back -shaped cutout so that the mat hugs your heel when you wrap it around your shin. Use a large sock or slippers to hold the pad in place. Cut the pad from the mat so that it protrudes slightly in front of the fingers, then you will protect the exposed fingers.

How to prevent snags

To prevent the arm cast from snagging on clothes and furniture, wear a protective sleeve made from an old nylon stocking over it. Cut off the toe of the stocking and make a hole in the heel. Then stretch it over the plaster cast. Insert four fingers into the cut sock, and insert your thumb through the hole you made in the heel. Cut the other end of the stocking about 4 cm above the plaster cast and tuck it under the edges of the cast.

Take care of your skin

Wash the skin along the edges of the bandage every day. Before you start washing, cover the edges of the bandage with a piece of plastic. Then wring out a cloth soaked in soapy water and wipe the skin at the edges of the bandage, trying to push it as far under the bandage as possible, but so that it remains dry. Then dry your skin thoroughly with a towel and massage it with a towel or swab moistened with rubbing alcohol. (This keeps the skin firm.) To prevent skin irritation, remove any loose cast particles as you work the skin inside the cast.

How to relieve itching

Even if you experience severe itching under your cast, never try to get rid of it with sharp objects. Putting them under a bandage can damage the skin and cause infection. Do not pour talc inside, do not pour lotions, do not tuck cotton wool or other materials under the edges. (This may cause poor circulation.)

There is a safe method to relieve itching: set a hand dryer to position and direct a stream of air to the itchy area.

How to avoid getting your plaster cast wet

If you want to shower or leave the house in rainy weather, cover the bandage with a plastic bag. The plaster cast should not get wet. From moisture, it will no longer hold the fracture site well or will completely collapse. If the bandage gets a little wet, let it dry naturally (for example, sit in the sun). Leave the bandage on until it is completely dry.

In severe cases, a pressure bandage is immediately applied to stop bleeding to prevent shock. In case of shock, emergency measures are necessary to quickly remove the patient from this state.

For open fractures, an anti-tetanus injection is given, antibiotics are prescribed, soft tissue damage is promptly eliminated, and the wound is carefully treated to prevent infection and speed up healing.

Displaced bone fragments must be returned to their original position, after which the injured limb is immobilized using a splint, plaster cast or traction.

In closed alignment (reposition) of bone fragments, the doctor manually aligns the bone fragments. The victim is given local anesthesia and given painkillers; muscle relaxants and sedatives are used to make the muscles stretch more easily (see HOW BONE HEALING OCCURS).

If closed reduction is not possible, open reduction of bone fragments is performed. During this procedure, the surgeon aligns the fragments and immobilizes them using rods, plates, and screws. After this, a plaster cast is usually applied.

If a splint or plaster cast cannot ensure the correct position of the bone fragments, they are immobilized by traction, using the traction created by a suspended load.

What should a person do with a broken arm or leg?

Drink more fluids to prevent constipation and the formation of kidney stones, which can be a consequence of inactivity. If you have symptoms of kidney stones (side pain, nausea and vomiting), call your doctor.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as cold skin, numbness, tingling, or changes in skin color. Perhaps this is a signal of poor circulation.

Care for your plaster cast as directed by your doctor (see CARE OF YOUR IMMOBILIZING BANDAGE).

With your doctor's permission, after removing the cast, begin doing exercises for the injured limb.

Physical therapy can also help you regain mobility in your injured limb.

For the first few days, keeping your arm or leg in a cast on a soft surface, such as a pillow, will help relieve severe swelling. The cast should not be wetted as this will weaken it and your bone may not heal properly.

How to wash a hand with a cast

You can use a plastic bag to completely wrap it. Use duct tape or rubber tape to seal the top and bottom of the bag to make it as waterproof as possible.

Alternatively, you can buy special coatings for plaster castings to keep them dry. For more information, contact your local doctor or emergency room. If your cast gets wet, contact hospital for advice as soon as possible.

Always remove the bag as soon as possible after washing to avoid sweat, which can also damage the cast.

Even if it is very itchy and itchy, do not be tempted to scratch with something underneath it, as this can cause various complications. The itching should go away within a few days.

How to wash with a cast on your leg

4 practical tips:

1. Wrap a towel around the cast and place the leg in a plastic bag large enough to completely cover it. Secure the end with tape (eg sellotape), do not put your foot in the bath. Leave it on the edge if possible. When washing, do not point the shower head at the affected limb;
2. You can wash in about a week. But, you definitely need to wrap the plaster with film. To prevent water from getting on the leg with the cast;
3. for swimming you can buy protec-gyps, then put it on your leg with a plaster, then close it tightly, and swim calmly;
4. before swimming, wrap your leg with the cast in a large bag like for garbage and carefully insulate the top with tape so that it does not open during swimming. During bathing, the leg often swells due to the temperature and there are unpleasant sensations, so you need to swim for a short time and preferably the leg with a cast at the same time keep it not down, but slightly overhang. For example, place a low stool and lower your leg with a cast there; for the first time, it is advisable to have someone help you in the bathroom.

If you have been given a plastic cast in a private clinic, then the question “How to wash with a cast on your hand?” should not worry you, since you can swim freely without worrying about the dressing getting wet, swelling and blocking. If you have used the services of public medical institutions, and now you have been ordered to wear a cast on your arm for several weeks, the tips in this article will help you bathe correctly.

So, how to swim with a cast on your hand, if this material is so hygroscopic that it instantly gets wet, absorbing water? Is it possible to soak the plaster for a short time if you have a broken arm, or should you categorically abandon the usual water procedures? Let's look at the options.

Option one- we swim as usual, despite the cast on our arm.

Let us immediately warn you that we do not recommend ignoring doctors’ recommendations and getting the plaster wet. After all, only the most desperate or those who do not know that due to excess moisture, the plaster begins to rot and the hand begins to itch, which, if there is a plaster cast, becomes a real torment. To avoid this, you should protect the cast on your hand from water. And this should be done as carefully as possible.

Option two- we use improvised means.

Previously, people with a broken arm and a cast used various improvised means. The limb was wrapped in plastic or garbage bags, and wrapped in several layers of tape, trying to stick the tape to the skin of the arm above the cast as tightly as possible. However, no matter how durable this structure may seem, it could not guarantee 100% protection from moisture. All you had to do was glue the tape a little loosely, and the water would penetrate inside. In addition, thin household bags do not provide complete sealing and are easily torn. And although this method is still practiced, you can only use it if someone helps you get ready and take a shower with a cast. Agree, it is problematic for one person to completely cover the fractured area with bags with one hand and secure them tightly.

But how to wash with a cast on your hand if you have no one to help you and you can only rely on yourself?

Option three- keep your hand away from the water. To prevent water from getting on the plaster, but flowing down, you can keep your hand constantly raised. But only truly strong people can master this method, since holding a hand in one position requires serious physical effort. Are you not ready for such a load?

Option four- instead of a shower, rubdown. If none of the above methods suits you, and you still don’t know how to bathe with a cast on your arm, then try replacing the shower with wet wipes. To be fair, it is worth noting that even the most thorough wiping cannot be called full-fledged hygienic procedures. That is why we advise you to try modern means of protecting the cast on your hand from water.

For the first few days, keeping your arm or leg in a cast on a soft surface, such as a pillow, will help relieve severe swelling. The cast should not be wetted as this will weaken it and your bone may not heal properly.

How to wash a hand with a cast

You can use a plastic bag to completely wrap it. Use duct tape or rubber tape to seal the top and bottom of the bag to make it as waterproof as possible.

Alternatively, you can buy special coatings for plaster castings to keep them dry. For more information, contact your local doctor or emergency room. If your cast gets wet, contact hospital for advice as soon as possible.

Always remove the bag as soon as possible after washing to avoid sweat, which can also damage the cast.

Even if it is very itchy and itchy, do not be tempted to scratch with something underneath it, as this can cause various complications. The itching should go away within a few days.

How to wash with a cast on your leg

4 practical tips:

1. Wrap a towel around the cast and place the leg in a plastic bag large enough to completely cover it. Secure the end with tape (eg sellotape), do not put your foot in the bath. Leave it on the edge if possible. When washing, do not point the shower head at the affected limb;
2. You can wash in about a week. But, you definitely need to wrap the plaster with film. To prevent water from getting on the leg with the cast;
3. for swimming you can buy protec-gyps, then put it on your leg with a plaster, then close it tightly, and swim calmly;
4. before swimming, wrap your leg with the cast in a large bag like for garbage and carefully insulate the top with tape so that it does not open during swimming. During bathing, the leg often swells due to the temperature and there are unpleasant sensations, so you need to swim for a short time and preferably the leg with a cast at the same time keep it not down, but slightly overhang. For example, place a low stool and lower your leg with a cast there; for the first time, it is advisable to have someone help you in the bathroom.