What should you know about full body plaster of paris?

Plaster of Paris is a mouldable material that hardens around a limb or body area to hold bones and joints in a chosen position. It may be used while a fracture settles, after a procedure, or during staged correction such as clubfoot casting. A cast can protect healing tissues, but it also limits movement and can conceal swelling or pressure on the skin.

A cast covering a large area affects washing, dressing, sleep, transfers, and safe walking. Your team should explain how much weight the cast can take and whether you need crutches, a frame, or help at home.

Keep the cast dry unless the treating team has provided a specific waterproof method. Do not cut, pad, heat, or insert objects inside it. Elevate the supported area when advised, move free fingers or toes gently, and follow weight-bearing instructions. Check exposed skin for pressure, colour change, swelling, and sensation. Never alter the cast yourself; a loose, cracked, soft, wet, or rubbing cast needs review.

Get urgent help for blue, pale, or cold fingers or toes, new inability to move them, severe increasing pain, numbness, or swelling that does not improve with elevation. Seek prompt review for a foul smell, drainage, fever, burning pressure, a broken cast, or a cast that becomes wet inside. Breathing difficulty, chest pain, or sudden calf pain also requires urgent assessment.

What injury or procedure is this cast protecting? How should I move, sleep, wash, and travel with it? What weight can I put through it? Who do I contact if it becomes tight, wet, damaged, or painful? When is the next cast check?