Orthopedics Fractures & Broken Bones How to Take Care of Your Cast Print By Jonathan Cluett, MD | Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Updated December 19, 2017 igor kisselev/Moment/Getty Images More in Orthopedics Fractures & Broken Bones Sprains & Strains Physical Therapy Orthopedic Surgery Osteoporosis Pediatric Orthopedics Sports Injuries Shoulder & Elbow Hip & Knee Hand & Wrist Leg, Foot & Ankle Assistive Devices & Orthotics Medication & Injections View All Having a cast for treatment of a broken bone can elicit different emotions. While some are excited to have a cast, this often quickly turns into annoyance with the realization that you may have to learn to do simple activities in a new way. Fortunately, you are not the first person to have a cast, and those before you have figured out tips and tricks to make having a cast not as difficult an experience. What Casts Are Made Of Casts are usually made from either plaster or fiberglass. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages. The plaster is usually used in the early stages of treatment because it can be molded more precisely. Fiberglass is more durable and therefore applied once the broken bone has started healing. How to Keep a Cast Dry Keep your cast dry is probably the most important thing you can do to keep happy while wearing a cast. Wet casts itch, smell, and are annoying. Keeping a cast dry is possible, even while keeping you clean. How to Keep Odor Away Cast smells are usually due to moisture under the cast. It is important to keep moisture away by not letting water get on the cast, and not sweating excessively under the cast. How to Walk With Crutches Crutches are often used for the treatment of injured legs. Using crutches requires good upper body strength and flexibility. Using crutches also requires the injury to be isolated to a single leg; patients with an injured arm or two injured legs will usually require another type of support. How to Have Fun With Your Cast Maybe having a cast is not your idea of fun, but why not at least have some fun with the hand you're dealt. You've got to have this cast all the time, so you might as well enjoy what you're looking at. When to Ask for Help As a general rule of thumb, if you are unsure, call your doctor. Most cast problems are minor, but there are a few warning signs to be aware of when you have a cast. If you think there is a problem under your cast, you should have this seen by your doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading