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Important
Allow 10 to 15 minutes to remove a soft cast.
How to remove a soft cast
Follow these instructions to remove a soft cast.
If possible, have a pair of safety scissors ready in case you need them.
- Find the end of the cast tape. This is probably slightly raised or it might feel a little rough when you move your fingers across it.
- Once you have found the end of the cast tape, gently pick it away from the rest of the cast.
- Once you have picked enough of the end to hold in 2 or 3 fingers, hold your child’s hand to steady it. Use your other hand to begin to unwrap the cast.
- Once the first layer has been removed, you will come to a hard strip of plaster along the back of the cast. Gently pull this off by pulling the strip towards you.
- Continue to unwrap the cast until the bandage is removed.
- Sometimes you may need to apply a little force to remove the bandage.
- You will be left with the padding, which you can remove.
Useful tips on removing a soft cast
Use safety scissors to make sure you do not damage your child’s skin underneath the cast.
- When you are removing the strip of hard plaster along the back of the cast, it may be difficult to pull off. If you have difficulty, you can use safety scissors to carefully cut down the side of the cast next to the hard plaster.
- The cast can sometimes be a little hard to unwind. You can apply a little force and maintain your hold with your other hand to avoid twisting your child’s arm when unwrapping the cast.
- If your child is young and their cast is due to be removed on a school day, it is best to wait until they are home from school before you remove it.
- Your child may complain that their wrist is a little stiff and painful. This is normal and may last a few days because their wrist was not able to move while they were wearing the cast.
- You can give your child some simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if they need it.
Make an appointment with the Orthopaedic Outpatients Department if your child’s pain persists (see Contacts below).
More information
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Plaster Room, Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Kingston Hospital Orthopaedics Outpatient Department, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm