About your visit
We have examined you and have ascertained that you have broken your arm. If necessary, we have relocated the fracture. You have been given a cast to help the fracture heal. You may have been given a sling to wear on the first day.
You should expect to wear the cast for 4-6 weeks.
When you get home
Contact your general practitioner if the cast is too tight
React immediately if the cast feels too tight and causes irritation or if it feels too big. Contact your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if:
- you cannot move your fingers
- the cast has slid over your knuckles
- the cast begins to chafe or breaks
- your arm or hand begins to swell
- your fingers become very cold or warm
- your fingers start to tingle
- your entire hand changes colour
- your arm starts to hurt badly.
You may bleed under the skin
You may develop bruises or blood spots under your skin that extend to your fingers. These symptoms will go away on their own.
Take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain
You can take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain. Pain-relieving medicine can be bought over the counter. Take only the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package. Contact your general practitioner if you need help managing the pain.
Protect the cast
We recommend that you cover the cast with a plastic bag when bathing/showering. Make sure the top of the bag is well sealed so the cast does not get wet.
Avoid inserting objects to relieve itching
Do not insert objects, such as a knitting needle, into the cast to relieve itching. You risk damaging the skin and causing sores.
The cast can cause irritation
When you have a cast, you will often experience that:
- you cannot move your wrist
- your arm becomes sore and tired
- you sweat under the cast and your skin itches.
If the cast has sharp edges that causes irritation, call the medical helpline at 1813.
Use the sling correctly
Your hand should be elevated above your elbow when wearing the sling. Use the sling on the first day, except at night. If your entire arm is in a cast, you can use the sling when you get tired and need to rest your arm.
Do not wear jewellery on the arm in a cast
Avoid wearing rings on the hand of the arm in a cast as your fingers may swell.
Prevent swelling
To keep your hand from swelling, keep it level with your heart. Rest your arm on a pillow, for example, when you are sitting down.
Use your arm while it is in a cast
Move your arm and fingers as much as possible every day, even while wearing a cast. This will help you maintain mobility and avoid swelling. Use your arm as you normally would when dressing, cleaning and eating. Do not lift heavy objects, for example grocery bags, for six to eight weeks.
Avoid driving
You are not allowed to drive a car as long as you have the cast on.
Check-ups
We will determine whether you need to come to the hospital for a check-up or whether you should visit your general practitioner. If you need to visit the hospital for a check-up, we will notify you via digital or physical post, or we will call you with information regarding time and place. If you need to visit your general practitioner, you will have to contact the clinic yourself and schedule an appointment.
If your condition deteriorates before your check-up, do not wait, contact your general practitioner. If your condition deteriorates acutely, dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline.
Exercises
Begin rehabilitation immediately
Start doing the exercises while you are wearing the cast. These exercises will help you regain mobility faster. We will guide you through the exercises.
Complete the exercises four to five times a day and repeat each exercise at least 15 times. Relax your shoulders and keep an easy pace.
If you begin to feel pain while doing the exercises, take a 30-minute break and then continue doing the exercises. Remove your sling when you are doing the exercises.
Exercise 1
- Stretch your fingers.
- Slowly make a fist by first bending the joints closest to the fingertip, then the middle joints and finally the joints at the base of your fingers.
- Release the fist and stretch out your fingers.
Exercise 6
Support the arm with your other hand if necessary.
- Bend your elbow as much as possible.
- Stretch out your elbow again.
Exercise 9
Straighten your back, lower your shoulders and keep your arms by your side.
- Push your chest forward and pull your shoulders back.
- Let your chest and shoulders relax.