In the article, we will consider how much to wear a cast.
That's the question people ask when they break something. But it is difficult to say exactly how many people will be forced to walk in a cast, because it depends largely on the type of fracture. People in their lives may encounter fractures of different parts of the body. The most problematic are injuries to the legs, which have a strong impact on the overall mobility of a person, as well as on his life in general. Each such violation of bone integrity may be accompanied by the imposition of plaster casts, which will provide immobility to the affected parts of the body for a long period of time until the bone tissues grow together again. So, let's figure out how much to wear a cast.
Determination of the period of wearing a cast
A broken leg is usually accompanied by a lot of inconvenience for people. For example, people can hardly move, but at the same time they cannot function normally during the day and even sleep, in this regard, doctors often hear the question of how longit is necessary for patients to walk in a plaster cast. Each case is always individual. Thus, for patients, how much a cast is worn for a broken leg or toe is determined by many different factors, such as:
- Much depends on the type of injury, it can be open or closed.
- Feature of violation of bone integrity: with or without displacement, the presence of small individual fragments and so on.
- Possibility of complications.
- Localization of injury.
In general, a plaster cast is applied for a period of one and a half to almost four months, but often this period is extended by the attending physician for a number of various reasons.
What can affect how much a cast is worn for a broken bone?
Increasing the bandage period
Of great importance may be the condition of other tissue, which could suffer due to a violation of bone integrity. For example, muscles with tendons could tear or stretch. In the event that this happened, the terms of wearing the bandage will increase. Doctors may increase the duration of wearing a cast for a number of other reasons:
- Presence of chronic diseases that affect bone strength and wound healing speed.
- Incorrect cast placement along with the need to change it.
- Violation of the rules for the care of the injured leg and so on.
In some cases, it becomes necessary to fix the sore leg with a bandage in twotimes longer than normal situations, such as patients with diabetes or over fifty years of age.
How much to wear a cast for this or that fracture, not everyone knows.
Dependence of the timing of wearing a cast on the location of the injury
Fracture of the leg is a generalized concept indicating damage to the lower extremities in one or several places at once. In particular, injuries often appear below the knee, since the bones in this area are more susceptible to various kinds of negative effects.
How long is a cast for an ankle injury?
Ankle injury
This is the most common injury to the lower extremities, which can occur with sharp turns of the foot, and, in addition, when there is a strong and rapid impact on this area with a blunt object, as when hitting or falling on an uneven surface. An ankle fracture can be external or internal. In the event that a violation of bone integrity occurs without displacement and other complications, then a plaster cast is applied for up to four weeks. In the event that complications arise, the period for wearing a cast can be extended up to five weeks.
In the second situation, that is, with internal ankle injuries without complications, the period for wearing a cast is about seven weeks. In case of complications, the period can be extended up to two and a half months. Quite rarely, mixed fractures of the ankle occur. In such a case, the duration of treatment without complications is two and a half months. If there are complications, then fourmonth.
How long is a cast worn for an ankle fracture?
Ankle injury
The second most common leg fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bones of the lower leg. There is a fracture of this area, as a rule, with strong impacts and falls on an uneven surface, in situations where the load on the lower leg is distributed unevenly. The main bones of the lower leg are the small and large tibia. Of course, the violation of their integrity can lead to different periods of wearing a cast.
In the event that there is a violation of the integrity of the tibia, the treatment time will be exactly one month. In the case when a large tibia suffers in a person, a plaster cast is applied for about three months. It is extremely rare for doctors to observe injuries to both tibia at once. In such a case, patients will have to wear a cast for up to four months. In the event that complications occur during a fracture of the lower leg, for example, the bones have shifted or shattered, then patients will have to stretch the skeleton in order to put the bones in place, or a severe surgical intervention, during which the bones can be fixed with a metal rod or plate.
In the event that skeletal traction is sufficient, this procedure will take exactly one month, after which the patient will have to continue therapy for another three months. In the case when a person needs fixation in the form of a metal plate or rod, gypsum can even be applied to the wholeyear. Thus, leg fractures are considered among the most severe for a person.
How many casts are worn on the leg with a broken foot?
Injuries to the bones of the foot
The bones of the foot can be damaged when heavy objects fall on the foot, and, moreover, with carelessness, with a sharp and significant weight gain, for example, during pregnancy. Injuries of this type are extremely dangerous because the lack of proper and timely treatment can lead to violations of the functions of the foot and its shape. In the event that a violation of bone integrity occurs without any complications, treatment continues for about two months. When there are any complications, then this period is up to three months.
How much a cast is worn for a broken finger is interesting to many.
Finger injuries
This is the easiest, and at the same time the simplest version of leg fractures, which can occur due to various reasons. As a rule, we are talking about heavy objects falling on the fingers, hitting a hard surface, and even the consequences of an unsuccessful step. So, how much is plaster on the finger? The minimum period for applying a cast is two weeks, and if it is necessary to fix the bone with a metal plate or splint, this period can be extended up to two and a half months.
Extension of deadlines
It is always necessary to remember that the period of wearing plaster casts can be almost doubled. This is especially possible when the patient is in poor he alth, the bones grow with difficultyor the patient does not adhere to the rules of conduct when using the cast, other problems appear as part of the treatment.
How much a cast is worn for a fracture, you can check with your doctor.
Rehabilitation after finger injury
The total duration of tissue regenerative processes largely depends on the type of surgical intervention. Usually, the fusion of the phalanx bone takes about thirty to forty days. It is this period that is prescribed by the doctor for the patient to wear a plaster cast. This is due to the fact that a short fixation time makes it possible to avoid the appearance of a scar on the injured area of the surface.
Injuries in children are much easier and faster to treat and recover than in older patients. This is explained quite simply: after all, in this case we are talking about a young body, and, in addition, about fast metabolic processes. The main task during the recovery period is the gradual return of motor functions, so rehabilitation includes massages, mechanotherapy, physiotherapy, ozocerite applications, iodine-bromine baths and therapeutic exercises.
Correct and competently appointed by the attending doctor, rehabilitation is good, first of all, because the entire therapeutic complex is aimed at accelerating the natural process of the body in order to restore and quickly heal injured limbs.
How many days a cast is worn, now it's clear.
How should a patient wear a cast correctly?
Naturally, the absolute immobilization of a certain area of the body can bring with it many different inconveniences. True, such a measure is simply necessary in order to ensure the correct and speedy fusion of bone tissue. Maintaining the integrity of the dressing seems to be the main task of the patient if he wants to fully restore his motor functions.
Basic rules
This requires following a set of rules:
- First of all, the cast must not be exposed to moisture. A bath with a shower should be taken only in a special cover that protects the injured limb from exposure to water.
- In the event that the cast was applied in such a way that a person cannot walk without support, then you need to take a special stick or crutch to help you. A pair of crutches is best. It is also necessary to remember that too much pressure on the plaster cast can have a negative effect on it, and therefore on the injured leg as well.
- In the event that there is no special prescription from a doctor, we must not forget about the movement. If the muscles suddenly stop working, they will certainly begin to atrophy, which will lead to a significant slowdown in the healing process and a long period of adaptation after the removal of the bandage.
- In the event that severe pain is felt in the leg, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor without any delay, because this may be a clear signal to a violation of the blood circulation process due to improperbandaging. Thus, any delay in this case may lead to irreversible complications.
When can the cast be removed?
How much you need to wear a cast in each case depends on many factors.
Each situation, as a rule, is very individual, so it is impossible to say with great certainty the time period after which the cast can be removed. During therapy, doctors quite often prescribe x-rays of the affected limbs. In this case, the resulting image gives the specialist the opportunity to determine the degree of fusion of bone tissue. In addition, due to the X-ray, the correct fusion is visible along with the speed of recovery of the tendons and muscles surrounding the injury.
In the event that the bone has grown together completely, the specialist will independently remove the plaster cast and check the external condition of the leg. It is worth emphasizing that when receiving fractures of the legs, in no case should you self-medicate. Any procedures should be carried out only by a doctor who will rely on x-ray data.
Thus, how long it takes to wear a cast in case of any fracture depends largely on the age of the patient. In young patients, bone healing occurs much faster than in older people. For some patients, it usually takes two to three months to fully recover, while others will need a longer period. ForIn order to speed up the process of restoring the functions of the limb, it is important to follow the recommendations of the attending traumatologist, paying due attention to the rehabilitation procedure.
We looked at how much to wear a cast.
