Cast for a wrist fracture: care and warning signs

A splint may be used first if the wrist is swollen. Some displaced fractures are realigned before casting, while fractures that cannot stay in an acceptable position may need surgical fixation.

The rigid shell and inner padding restrict wrist and forearm movement so the broken bone can unite. The cast may stop below the elbow or extend farther up the arm depending on the break and how much rotational control is needed.

Swelling changes during recovery, so a cast that was comfortable can become too tight or later too loose. Repeat X-rays may be arranged because a wrist can look and feel better even if alignment has shifted.

Keep the cast clean and dry. Elevate the hand as advised, gently move the fingers and thumb if permitted, and remove rings before swelling makes them difficult to take off. Avoid lifting, pushing or leaning on the cast unless your clinician says the support is designed for that load.

Never insert an object to scratch the skin and do not add home padding, cut an edge or apply heat to dry a wet cast. Attend scheduled fracture-clinic visits and ask when hand, wrist and forearm exercises should begin.

Get urgent help for fingers that turn pale or blue, feel cold or numb, become increasingly swollen, or cannot move normally. Severe or escalating pain, especially with a tight feeling that does not ease after elevation and prescribed pain relief, also requires prompt assessment.

Tell the treating team if the cast is wet, cracked, soft, slipping or rubbing the skin. New discharge, an unpleasant smell, fever, burning beneath the cast, or another fall onto the wrist should not wait for a routine appointment.

Confirm whether the latest image shows stable alignment and when the cast may be changed or removed. Ask about safe work duties, bathing, driving and sport, along with the expected plan for stiffness, grip weakness and swelling after immobilisation ends.