Tips to Avoid Cast/Immobilization Problems

Tips to Avoid Cast/Immobilization Problems

Injuries can bring with them some form of casting to protect the area for a long enough time that the injured part has a great chance to heal. But as healing occurs to one area, other areas can be negatively impacted. The forms of casting available include permanent (plaster or fiberglass-type) and removable. All forms of casting cause a syndrome affectionately called “Cast Rot” or “Cast Disease”. This syndrome includes:

• Muscle/Tendon Atrophy or Weakness

• Muscle/Tendon Stiffness or Loss of Flexibility

• Proprioceptive Nerve Problems with Loss of Position Sense

• Cardiovascular Loss

• Weight Gain due to lessened activity

• Hip/Back Problems when the foot/ankle is immobilized due to height difference from cast side to good side

The permanent cast by far produces the most problems, but even the removable casts can be very destructive. In the rush of reviewing the x rays or MRIs, making the decision to cast, and orchestrating that the proper cast is applied, many simple suggestions are forgotten that can minimize some of the effects of cast disease. If you have a foot/ankle cast, or boot make sure the opposite foot is raised up evenly. A product called EvenUp® can be applied to the shoe on the opposite side to keep the knees, hips, pelvis, and spine level (as demonstrated in the photo above). Find out what cardio you can do to keep the heart/lungs strong (and remember the HDLs) and contain inevitable weight gain. Some walking is normally allowed with weight bearing casts as the soreness resolves, but stationary bikes on a daily basis can keep leg strength and adequate cardio.

Normally you can do pain free isometric strengthening exercises within the cast, but a physical therapist will have to show you how to do these. Normally, push painfree into the cast in all 4 directions, hold for 6 seconds, and repeat 10 times. Do these isometrics 3 times daily. Sometimes, it is appropriate to order a muscle stimulator. This can even be placed inside a permanent cast to begin strengthening as soon as possible. This is normally ordered and applied at the 2 week cast change.

As soon as the cast comes off, you may not be able to increase cardio, but you should be able to increase strength, flexibility, range of motion, and proprioception. Find out what exercise you can do as quickly as possible without risking harm. Keep pushing the doctor and/or therapist to move your rehabilitation along. A prescription for 3 physical therapy sessions (normally once every 2 weeks) can progressively build a home exercise program that you do daily.

Golden Rule of Foot: For every day you are in a cast,it takes 2 days to get back to normal. Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to move the rehabilitation along as quick as possible, without causing increased pain. Pain causes swelling, which causes more pain, which causes more swelling, and the cycle spins out of control. Be your own advocate, ask questions, make sure speedy rehabilitation is part of all those involved mindset for you. Tell them you want to soak to reduce swelling, you want to do exercises for strength, flexibility, range of motion, and proprioception. Tell them you need to get safe but effective cardio as soon as possible. Keep it moving! Another Golden Rule of Foot!!