Overview
Why a Cast Requires Vigilance
A cast holds an injured bone or joint in the position needed for healing, but its rigid structure cannot expand when the underlying tissues swell.
A cast holds an injured bone or joint in the position needed for healing, but its rigid structure cannot expand when the underlying tissues swell. During the first several days after injury, surgery, or cast application, edema can increase pressure beneath the cast. What begins as a protective device can then become an external source of compression. The experienced nurse looks first at the exposed fingers or toes, then asks about pain and sensation. A casted limb should not be assessed by appearance alone. Circulation and nerve function may deteriorate beneath a cast long before the client can see a problem.