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Elevating your wrist above the level of your heart will help reduce swelling and pain. It’s important to elevate your wrist for at least the first 48-72 hours after having a cast put on. Your doctor may recommend that you elevate it longer. You may also need to keep the wrist elevated while you sleep or during the day. Try propping it up on a few pillows. Icing your wrist can help reduce swelling and ease your pain. Make sure to keep your cast dry while applying ice.  Put ice in a zip-top plastic bag. Make sure the bag is sealed properly to avoid leaks. Wrap the bag in a towel to make sure condensation doesn’t get into your cast. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables as an ice pack. Look for veggies that are small and even in size, such as corn or peas. (And obviously, don’t eat them after you’ve used the bag as an ice-pack.)  Hold the ice on your wrist for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. Apply ice for the first 2-3 days, or as long as your doctor recommends.  You may also find it helpful to use a commercial gel-based ice pack. These are reusable, freezable ice packs that won’t melt and leak water onto a cast. You can find them at medical supply stores and most pharmacies. Most wrist pain can be treated with a non-prescription pain reliever. You should talk with your doctor about what type of painkiller is appropriate for you. Some can interfere with medical conditions or other medications you’re taking. Your doctor may recommend a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen/paracetamol to fight pain and reduce swelling. These are more effective together than either one is alone.  Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). These help reduce fever and swelling by inhibiting your body’s production of prostaglandins. Other NSAIDs include naproxen sodium and aspirin, although aspirin has a more prolonged anti-clotting effect than other NSAIDs.  Your doctor may not recommend aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder, asthma, anemia, or other medical condition. Aspirin can cause negative interactions with several medical conditions and medications.  When administering pain relievers to a child, be sure to use a children’s formula and follow the dosage for the child’s age and weight. Aspirin is not recommended for children under age 18. There is a risk of liver damage when taking acetaminophen, so use only as much as recommended by your doctor.  Do not take an OTC painkiller for more than 10 days (5 days in children) unless directed by your doctor. If your pain persists after 10 days, see your doctor. It’s important to exercise any joints that aren’t under the cast, such as your elbow and fingers, to keep circulation flowing. This will help speed your healing process and increase mobility. If you experience pain when moving your elbow or fingers, contact your doctor. You may find that your skin gets itchy under the cast, and you’ll probably want to scratch it. Don’t! This can cause harm to your skin or the cast. Don’t poke or stick anything into the cast.  Try raising your cast or blowing on it with a hairdryer on the “low” or “cool” setting instead.  Don’t put powders into the cast, either. Anti-itch powders can cause irritation when they’re trapped under the cast. Your cast may rub or irritate your skin where its edges meet your skin. You can apply moleskin, which is a soft fabric with an adhesive backing, directly to the skin where the cast is rubbing. You can purchase moleskin at drug stores and pharmacies.  Apply moleskin to clean, dry skin. Replace it when it gets dirty or loses its stickiness. If the edges of your cast become rough, you can use a nail file to smooth out the rough edges. Don’t peel, cut, or break off pieces of your cast. In most cases, your wrist will heal in a few weeks with proper care. You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following:  Numbness or tingling in your hand or fingers Cold, pale or blue fingers Increased pain or swelling of the area after the cast has been put on Raw or irritated skin around the edges of the cast Cracks or soft spots in the cast Wet, loose, or tight casts Casts that smell bad or itching that won’t go away
Elevate the wrist. Apply ice to your wrist. Take an over-the-counter painkiller. Wiggle your fingers and move your elbow around. Avoid sticking objects into the cast. Apply moleskin to prevent rubbing. Know when to call your doctor.