How To Look After Your Plaster: Upper Limb
Date issued: December 2022
Review date: December 2024
Ref: A-549/NB/ED/How to Look After Your Plaster: Upper Limb
PDF: How To Look After Your Plaster Upper Limb final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 114KB
How long will my plaster take to dry?
-
Plaster of Paris type plasters will take 2-3 days to dry out
-
Do NOT try to dry it out using an artificial heat source
-
Keep the plaster dry
-
Do not push anything down the plaster
-
Elevate your arm as much as possible, with or without a sling for the first 24-48 hours.
What exercises can I do?
First remove your arm from the sling.
Shoulder: do these at least three times a day:
-
Lift your arm out sideways and then high above your head 10 times.
-
Lift your arm forwards and then high above your head 10 times.
-
Put your hand behind your lower back slowly 10 times.
Elbow: do this at least three times a day:
- Bend your elbow as far as you can and then straight it 20 times.
Fingers: do these at least every hour:
-
Curl up all four fingers, bending them fully to make a fist then straighten them right out, 10 times.
-
Stretch your fingers out sideways so there is a gap between each one then press them together, squeeze and then relax, 10 times
-
Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your first/index finger, squeeze and release. Repeat with each finger 10 times.
Do I need to take pain relief?
-
Paracetamol is useful to ease pain. It is best to take it regularly for a few days or so, rather than every now and then. An adult dose is two 500 mg tablets, four times a day. A doctor may prescribe additional painkillers such as codeine if the pain is more severe. If you are prescribed a combination of paracetamol and codeine (e.g., cocodamol or codydramol) then it is important not to take additional paracetamol as you will accidentally overdose.
Anti-inflammatory medication can be used with paracetamol or as an alternative. There are many types and brands. They relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling (often the cause of the pain). You can buy ibuprofen at pharmacies or supermarkets without a prescription. The dose varies depending on your age and other medical problems. Side-effects sometimes occur with anti-inflammatory painkillers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice regarding them.
RETURN TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT STRAIGHT AWAY IF:
-
Your fingers become cold, swollen, numb, more painful or blue
-
The plaster seems to be too tight or starts to rub
-
Your pain gets worse, despite painkilling tablets.
-
There is a foul smell from the plaster.
If you would like to be seen again in the ED because of the following problems:
-
Your plaster has become loose
-
Your plaster has become wet or damaged
then please attend on the next day, preferably between 10:00-14:00
Alternatively, more information about your condition can be found at www.patient.co.uk
