As discussed in the
Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with a
fracture to the [location].
If
you came to the Emergency Department with a broken bone, most likely you were
put in a splint instead of a full cast.
The reason for this is that broken bones can cause a lot of swelling
(which will go down over time). A full
cast, which goes all the way around the limb, can cut off the circulation to
the area as it swells. Splints hold the
bones together, the same way that a cast does, without cutting off the
circulation if swelling occurs. A splint
allows the bones to heal properly and it provides comfort because the broken
bones can’t move around or shift anymore.
Ibuprofen
(which is the same thing as Advil or Motrin) and/or Acetaminophen (same thing
as Tylenol) can be used for pain relief.
Taking both of these medications together is fine – just be sure to
follow the instructions on the label for each.
The
most important thing that you can do to speed up healing is to keep the limb
with the broken bone elevated. If it is
your arm, hold your arm up (like you are the queen and about to wave at your
subjects) so that gravity can drain the swelling away from the broken
bone. If it is your leg, you can prop
your leg up on a chair whenever you are sitting down, and use pillows to
elevate your leg when you are sleeping.
If
you have a sling, make sure you have the sling on properly so that your arm
isn’t dangling downward (since gravity will move the blood toward the injured
bones and increase the swelling). Feel
free to take your arm out of the sling from time to time, and make circles with
your arm. The sling is just a reminder
to keep your arm up as much as possible, instead of letting it dangle down.
Remember
to keep your plaster or fiberglass splint dry.
Do not get it wet because it will smell, and it can fall off if it gets
wet. If you have been given crutches,
use them as you were instructed.
If you were put in a full cast and you find that you are having lots of constant pain, and your fingers are going numb or turning blue, this may mean that your circulation is getting cut off. In that instance, elevate the limb and return to the Emergency Department to have your cast opened.
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