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Overview
Casts protect healing bones.
Swelling can make casts tight.
When to get medical care
Call 911Severe pain, numbness, or pale or blue fingers or toes.
Get care todayCast too tight or wet.
See a doctor soonItching or odor.
Causes
Related to fractures and sprains.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause wearing a cast, splint, sling, or walking boot. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Caring for a cast, splint, or bootOften treated at home
A cast or splint holds a broken bone still while it heals.
What you can do at home
- Keep the cast dry.
- Raise the limb.
Medicines
Follow your provider's advice.
At the doctor
The provider will check the cast.
Questions you may be asked
- Symptoms
The exam
An exam.
Tests
- None
Prevention
Care for your cast.
- Keep dry
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.