
Try to keep your cast as dry as you can. This helps reduce swelling and stiffness. Wiggle your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg often. These exercises will help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible while you heal. Do exercises as instructed by your doctor or physical therapist. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your cast. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put ice or a cold pack on your cast for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the first 3 days. When it's okay to put weight on your leg or foot cast, don't stand or walk on it unless it's designed for walking. Fiberglass casts dry quickly and are soon hard enough to protect the injured arm or leg.
Follow your doctor's instructions for when you can start using the limb that has the cast.
Your doctor or a technician will take it off. After a cast is put on, you can't remove it yourself. A cast protects a broken bone or other injury while it heals.