Wearing period
The length of time for which the cast must be worn depends on the severity of the injury and the location. Some patients get rid of the cast after one week, others only after 10 weeks. Below are some examples of situations that require the application of a plaster cast:
- Short-term immobilization after a finger operation: 1 week
- Healing of tendinitis: 4 weeks
- Immobilization of wrist injuries, pulled ligaments, hairline fractures of the carpal bones or forearm: 1 – 4 weeks
- Immobilization of fractures of the forearm bones near the wrist (ulna and radius): 4 – 5 weeks
- Immobilization of fractures in the elbow region: 5 – 6 weeks
- Immobilization of bone fractures, ligament or tendon damage to the ankle joint of the foot: 5 – 8 weeks
- Immobilization of a scaphoid fracture: 10 weeks
Pain in plaster
Due to the long wearing of the plaster casts, various complications can occur that can cause pain: If areas of the skin where there is no significant muscle layer above the bones (wrist, ankle) are not properly padded, pressure points may occur. The skin is chafed, sore and can cause burning pain. In addition, the muscle starts to break down from the moment of immobilization.
The loss of muscle mass and limited mobility can lead to muscle and joint pain. The latter can stiffen during the resting phase and cause pain when moving again. A further possibility, which however rather affects the legs, is thrombosis.
In a thrombosis, the reduced movement causes a blood clot to form in a leg vessel, clogging it, obstructing the supply to the adjacent tissue and thus causing pain. Preventive treatment with blood thinners (Clexane injections) can prevent a thrombosis.
