Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.
Cast Care: Types of Casts and Cast Aids
Several types of casts are available to help injuries heal. Your healthcare provider will decide what type of cast will work best for your injury.
Types of Casts
A plaster cast is made from gauze and plaster strips soaked in water. These are wrapped around the injured body part over cotton padding. As they dry, the strips harden. The cast takes 24 to 48 hours to harden fully.
A synthetic cast is made from fiberglass or plastic strips. These are wrapped around the injury over cotton padding. Synthetic casts can be different colors. A synthetic cast is lighter than plaster. It dries in a few minutes, but may take a few hours to harden fully.
A cast brace is made of hard plastic. Soft pads inside the brace compress (push against) the injury. The brace is held in place with Velcro strips and can be removed. A cast brace may be used right after the injury occurs. Or, it may be used toward the end of healing, after another cast has been removed.
A splint (also called a half cast) is made from slabs of plaster that hold the injury still. A bandage is wrapped around the injury to hold the plaster slabs in place. Splints are often used in the emergency room. In most cases, the splint is soon replaced with another type of cast.
Cast Aids
Cast aids help you get around safely and comfortably. If you need any of these aids, your healthcare provider will teach you how to use them.
A sling keeps your injured arm still and helps carry your cast.
A cane helps you balance and put less weight on an injured leg.
A walking cast is a cast you can walk on. You may wear a cast shoe over your cast to keep it clean and protected.
A walker helps you balance and keep weight off an injured leg. Some walkers have wheels and can be pushed as you walk. Others are lifted and placed down as you step.
Crutches help you balance and keep weight off an injured leg. When using crutches, support yourself with your hands and upper arms. Don't rest crutches in your armpits. (Doing so could damage the nerves leading to your arms and hands.)