How Does the Doctor Remove a Cast or Splint?
A splint is easy to remove — the doctor just unwraps the bandages or undoes the Velcro and it’s off! To remove casts, doctors saw off the outer shell with a special saw. The saw is loud like a vacuum cleaner, but you don’t need to be nervous. This saw’s blade won’t hurt you. The person removing your cast may demonstrate this by letting the saw rub right against his or her skin. The saw has a dull, round blade that vibrates up and down. The vibration is strong enough to break apart the fiberglass or plaster, but it can’t hurt your skin. It may even tickle. Sometimes your doctor will let you keep your cast or splint as a souvenir — all you have to do is ask. You can look at it in the future, read what your friends wrote on it, and remember how your broken bone got better! Reviewed by: Mary L.
