Trauma and Orthopaedics
Issue No: 2.1.2.5.2.1
Date of Issue: July 2024
Review Date: July 2025
This information has been developed to supplement the information the Doctor or Healthcare Practitioner has already given you.
If the review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published.
What is a Soft Cast?
Soft (semi-rigid) casts are made of a fibreglass casting material that does not set to a completely rigid state but remains flexible and soft even when completely set.
They offer support in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, minor injuries in adults and some fractures in children. Soft casts are touch dry in three to four minutes and reach full strength in 30 minutes. Please take care of your cast during this time and leave it uncovered to allow the cast to dry naturally during this period.
Please contact us immediately should you experience any of the following symptoms
- Pins and needles, numbness, blueness which is not relieved by elevation.
- Excess pain or swelling.
- Soreness or rubbing under the cast.
- Discharge or bleeding through your cast.
- A strong smell under your cast.
- If you drop anything down your cast.
When and how is the Soft Cast removed?
Once the time comes to remove your cast, you can remove the cast yourself at home after the specified number of weeks after the Soft Cast has been applied, as informed by your clinician.
No further treatment or follow-up should be required after the Soft Cast is removed.
To remove the Soft Cast, find the end of the cast bandage and unwind this, or cut it off with blunt-edged scissors as demonstrated in the following video below.
Worries or concerns
For non-urgent issues or concerns:
For non-urgent issues or concerns, please contact your Consultant’s Secretary through the NHS Fife Hospital Switchboard at 01592 643355.
For urgent issues or concerns:
If you have any urgent concerns regarding your condition, please get in touch with the Orthopaedic service:
Urgent advice for patients between 8am to 7.30pm Monday to Sunday, contact the National Treatment Centre - Fife Orthopaedics on 01592 643355 Extension 22685.
Urgent advice - out-of-hours:
For an urgent problem that is out of hours, please get in touch with NHS 24 on 111 or visit Accident and Emergency.
Emergency advice:
For emergency advice, visit Accident and Emergency or dial 999.
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
